The Milwaukee Bucks are heading into the trade deadline with one clear goal: build a better roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo - and fast. With the clock ticking on their championship window and Giannis’ long-term future still a question mark, the Bucks are reportedly looking to swing big.
But with limited trade assets, their best shot might not be a blockbuster - it might be a calculated gamble. Enter Jerami Grant.
According to league reports, Milwaukee is eyeing high-impact names, but the reality is they don’t have the draft capital or young talent to chase the league’s top-tier stars. That narrows their options to players like Grant and Zach LaVine - talented veterans with big contracts who may be more attainable. For a team like Portland, still deep in a rebuild, that could be the perfect opportunity to offload salary and clear the path for their younger core.
The Proposed Deal
A recent trade idea floated by salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan sends Jerami Grant to Milwaukee. The Bucks, to make the math work under the NBA’s new financial rules, would need to add another minimum-salary player to complete the deal. In return, Portland would receive Kyle Kuzma - a less expensive, shorter-term contract - along with salary relief and potential flexibility.
Let’s break down why this trade could work for both sides.
Why It Makes Sense for Portland
From a pure basketball standpoint, swapping Grant for Kuzma is a downgrade. Grant has been playing some of his best ball lately, showing flashes of the two-way impact that earned him that hefty contract. But this move isn’t about today’s box scores - it’s about tomorrow’s blueprint.
Grant is owed $36.4 million in a player option after next season, and his contract runs one year longer than Kuzma’s. Kuzma, while still a capable scorer and shot creator, comes at a more manageable price tag and gives the Blazers added flexibility.
That flexibility matters. Portland is trying to build around a promising young core, and one of the key pieces is Deni Avdija.
He’s been outperforming expectations and will be up for a new deal soon. Shedding Grant’s contract now makes it easier for the Blazers to renegotiate and extend Avdija - a move that could pay dividends in the long run.
Kuzma could step into a sixth-man role, providing scoring punch off the bench without disrupting the developmental minutes for younger players. Yes, it might hurt their already slim play-in hopes this season, but Portland has made it clear: they’re playing the long game. This deal aligns with that vision.
Why It Makes Sense for Milwaukee
The Bucks find themselves in a tricky spot. They’ve already made bold moves - including the controversial decision to waive Damian Lillard in favor of Myles Turner this past offseason - and they’ve shown they’re willing to sacrifice financial flexibility for roster upgrades.
Landing Jerami Grant wouldn’t be a seismic shift, but it would be a meaningful one. He’s not a superstar, but he’s a versatile forward who can defend multiple positions, knock down threes, and create his own shot when needed. In a playoff setting, that kind of skill set can be the difference between a second-round exit and a deep run.
And most importantly, it shows Giannis that the front office is still all-in.
The Bucks don’t have the assets to chase bigger names, so a deal like this - where they upgrade the roster without giving up key rotation players or future picks - is about as good as it gets under the circumstances.
The Roadblock: Joe Cronin’s Decision
There’s just one potential snag in this otherwise logical trade: Portland’s front office. Specifically, general manager Joe Cronin.
Reports suggest that Cronin is a fan of Grant and may be hesitant to move him, even if the financials make sense. That kind of front-office loyalty can complicate things, especially when a player is performing well and still has value in the locker room.
But the bigger picture looms. Portland is trying to balance two timelines - developing young talent while ending a four-year playoff drought.
Eventually, they’ll need to commit to one direction. If they’re serious about building for the future, moving Grant now, while his value is high and the financial relief is significant, is a logical step.
Final Thoughts
This proposed deal won’t dominate headlines, but it could quietly benefit both franchises. Milwaukee gets a win-now piece to help support Giannis and keep their championship window open, while Portland clears cap space and leans into its youth movement.
Sometimes, the best trades aren’t the flashiest - they’re the ones that fit the moment. And for two teams heading in opposite directions, this one might just be the right move at the right time.