An Antetokounmpo trade is a must if he won’t agree to stay long-term in Milwaukee. The Bucks can prioritize draft compensation, depth, or returning star power. Wagner has yet to earn an All-Star nod, but he averaged 24.2 points a game with 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists through the 2024-25 season. Injuries slowed him last year; Milwaukee does its due diligence to ensure Wagner is in good shape this summer.
In addition to Wagner, almost 25, the team brings in bright prospects in da Silva, Richardson, and Penda. Bitadze is a solid backup center capable of starting in stretches. Milwaukee would waive and stretch Isaac’s salary over seven years at $1.3 million per season. That’s just under the 15 percent max limit based on a $165 million salary cap, considering the Bucks have $22.5 million going to Damian Lillard for several seasons.
Milwaukee can generate a $16.7 million trade exception by using its non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $15 million to take in Isaac. The trade proposal assumes the Bucks prefer to keep the latter exception available rather than add additional talent via free agency.
The Magic and Bucks convince Trent and Sims to opt into their final years to play a significant role alongside Antetokounmpo in Orlando. If either refuses, the deal can be easily reconfigured. The Bucks trigger a first-apron hard cap of $209.1 million by taking back more salary than they send out, but the franchise is well below the luxury tax threshold.
A resolution to the Antetokounmpo saga would be welcome. Partnering here with the Magic, the Bucks add a strong group of young players, centered around Wagner, along with an unprotected future first-round pick.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus and Bluesky.