Bucks Trade Khris Middleton for Grizzlies’ Guard Duo in Bold Blockbuster Proposal
Trade discussions are heating up as the Milwaukee Bucks gear up for another push at the NBA Championship. With the trade window reopening on December 15—allowing players signed over the summer to be moved—teams have until the February 6 deadline to strike deals. The Bucks, eager to capitalize on their championship window with Giannis Antetokounmpo, are expected to be active in the trade market.
Proposed Trade Between Bucks and Grizzlies
The Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies are emerging as intriguing trade partners. Memphis boasts a young, dynamic roster looking to solidify its status as a serious contender, while Milwaukee is focused on leveraging Antetokounmpo’s prime to secure another title.
A recent trade proposal from Matt Levine of Sports Illustrated presents a scenario that could benefit both teams:
- Bucks Receive: Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Jay Huff, 2025 First-Round Pick
- Grizzlies Receive: Khris Middleton
Evaluating the Trade for the Bucks
At 33 years old, Khris Middleton is coming off surgeries on both ankles and may no longer be the reliable wing he once was. This trade provides Milwaukee with significant reinforcements:
- Marcus Smart, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, would fill a critical need for Milwaukee. Under Doc Rivers’ leadership, Smart could serve as a much-needed perimeter stopper. The Bucks have struggled to contain dynamic offensive guards, exemplified by Dennis Schroder’s recent 34-point, 11-assist performance for the Brooklyn Nets.
- Luke Kennard offers additional ball-handling and elite shooting. Kennard’s 40.4% three-point shooting this season and career 43.8% three-point average make him a potent weapon for Milwaukee’s offense.
- Jay Huff, a 7-foot-1 big man, would provide valuable depth behind Brook Lopez. Known for his shooting touch, Huff is hitting 41.3% from three-point range on 4.2 attempts per game, bringing a Lopez-like floor-spacing element to the Bucks’ lineup.
- Finally, the inclusion of a 2025 first-round pick adds long-term value, helping replenish Milwaukee’s depleted draft capital.
Evaluating the Trade for the Grizzlies
For Memphis, acquiring Khris Middleton bolsters their roster with a seasoned 3-and-D wing. Middleton’s career 38.8% success rate from beyond the arc complements the team’s offensive schemes and provides additional scoring and defensive depth alongside Desmond Bane. His veteran presence could also help guide the Grizzlies’ young core through high-stakes playoff scenarios.
Pairing Middleton with Ja Morant would create a formidable offensive duo. Middleton’s spacing would open up driving lanes for Morant while offering a reliable scoring option in clutch situations.
Challenges to the Proposed Trade
While the trade has potential, it’s not without obstacles. The Grizzlies, currently holding the second seed in the Western Conference, might be hesitant to part ways with Smart or Kennard, both integral to their success. Similarly, Middleton has been a key figure in Milwaukee’s success, forming a strong partnership with Antetokounmpo throughout the latter’s NBA career.
Breaking up the Antetokounmpo-Middleton duo—a tandem that has delivered a championship—would require an offer that overwhelmingly benefits Milwaukee. While this proposal edges toward that territory, the Bucks may still find it hard to part with Middleton.
As the trade season approaches, teams like the Bucks and Grizzlies are likely to explore every option to maximize their chances of success. While this proposed trade balances both teams’ immediate and long-term needs, the reluctance to part ways with proven talent could make it difficult to execute.
Nonetheless, with the Bucks’ championship ambitions and the Grizzlies’ pursuit of contention, such bold moves could be what defines the 2023-24 NBA season. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks might just need this shakeup to reclaim their dominance in the league.
