The Milwaukee Bucks had the right idea when they reportedly showed no interest in a deal for Kristaps Porzingis.
Sam Amick and Nick Friedell of The Athletic reported that Milwaukee wasn’t biting on a trade with the Golden State Warriors, and Jake Fischer later added the missing piece: Golden State wants draft capital or another incentive just to take on Turner’s contract. That changes the whole equation. If that’s the ask, the Bucks were smart to walk away.
Turner may not be part of Milwaukee’s long-term picture, but that doesn’t mean the Bucks should be paying to move him. He still brings real value. Early this season, he’s been a strong presence defensively at the rim, and while his offense has started slowly, his 3-point shot is still among the best for a big man once he gets rolling.
That kind of player should bring back value, not cost it. Milwaukee should be in position to get something useful for Turner if it decides to move him, not attach picks just to clear the books. Yes, he’s under contract for several more years, but the price to get Porzingis in return doesn’t line up with what the Bucks would be giving up.
Golden State is the team that should feel the pressure here. With the current dynasty nearing its end and Stephen Curry still playing at a ridiculous level, the Warriors should be pushing hard to maximize these last years. Turner fits the win-now mold, even with his slow start, and he gives them a much better shot than Porzingis, who “might never play again.”
For Milwaukee, patience is still on the table. The Bucks are projected to have a significant amount of cap space next summer even with Turner on the roster, and he’s also been a useful veteran presence for the younger players. He hasn’t been a drag on the team, even with the slump.
The one issue is whether Turner’s presence is blocking Kel’el Ware from moving into the starting center role and delaying his development. That’s part of why Milwaukee should be focused on building Turner’s value and trying to turn him into something helpful at the NBA Trade Deadline, while also opening the door for Ware.
That approach makes a lot more sense than attaching valuable assets just to move on.
In Other News...
Bucks May Already Regret Passing On This Fast-Rising Rookie
Yaxel Lendeborg is wasting no time making teams second-guess how they viewed him on draft night. Taken by the Warriors shortly after Brayden Burries, the 24-year-old rookie has opened his first NBA season with a strong stretch, putting up 21.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game through eight contests while helping fuel Golden States recent winning streak.
For Milwaukee, the early returns only sharpen the question of whether passing on a fast-rising talent like Lendeborg might come back to sting them. The age concerns that followed him into the draft have done little to slow his development so far, and his play is starting to look less like a short-term surprise and more like a sign of a higher ceiling than some teams were willing to project. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Rookie Suddenly Fits The Identity Milwaukee Wants To Build
Taylor Jenkins made an early-season lineup tweak against the Timberwolves that said plenty about the direction the Bucks want to take. Rookie guard Brayden Burries got the start over Ryan Rollins and responded with nine points and nine rebounds in his first career start, giving Milwaukee a glimpse of a player who can help fuel the faster pace the team is trying to establish.
Even with the missed shots, Jenkins pointed to Burries pace and work on the glass as reasons for encouragement, and those are the kinds of traits that tend to earn more trust quickly in Milwaukee. If the Bucks are serious about leaning into speed and energy, Burries looks like a rookie who may keep finding his way onto the floor as the opportunities grow. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Pulled Into A Frontcourt Rumor That Could Change Their Plans
The Bucks have been pulled into a frontcourt rumor that could ripple well beyond one trade deadline conversation, with Golden State reportedly looking for help at center and Milwaukee mentioned as a possible partner. The framework being discussed would send Kristaps Porzingis, Gui Santos and a future first-round pick in exchange for a Bucks big man such as Kelel Ware or Myles Turner, a construction that immediately raises questions about fit, value and how much either side would be willing to change course.
For Milwaukee, the intrigue is obvious because a deal like this would touch both the roster and the books, and the financial side may matter as much as the basketball fit. For Golden State, the appeal is just as clear if the Warriors are serious about upgrading the middle, but for now it remains only a rumor, with no official transaction in place and plenty of room for the conversation to shift before anything gets real. [Read more 🡒]