RealGM Basketball Wiretap

25 January 2025

• Bucks Discussing Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton In Trades

  The Milwaukee Bucks are making Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton available in potential trade discussions for an impact player, sources tell ESPN. The only future first round pick the Bucks have available to trade is in 2031. Milwaukee also needs to unload approximately $6.5 million in a deal to get below the second apron to combine players into a single trade.

  Under Jon Horst, the Bucks have been aggressive in maximizing their title chances around Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks have recovered from a slow start to their season, but they are 0-8 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.

  Middleton is averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 23.5 minutes over 18 games this season.

  Portis is averaging 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.7 minutes over 41 games.

  Connaughton is averaging 4.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 15.7 minutes over 22 games.

• Andre Jackson Jr. Commits To Slam Dunk Contest

  Andre Jackson Jr. has committed to participating in the 2025 Slam Dunk Contest. Jackson joins Stephon Castle and Matas Buzelis has confirmed participants.

  Jackson, who is in his second season in the NBA out of UConn, is averaging 3.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.3 minutes over 39 games.

  Mac McClung has won the past two Slam Dunk Contests.

• Mark Bartelstein: Bradley Beal Focused On 'Making It Work In Phoenix'

  Bradley Beal's agent Mark Bartelstein refuted reports that Beal would waive his no-trade clause for the Lakers, Bucks, Nuggets, or Heat, adding that the rumors were "created out of thin air."

  "Brad's entire focus has been and is on getting healthy with his ankle and helping turn things around for the Suns," added Bartelstein.

  Bartelstein did add that Beal would never say never to a trade.

  "I never operate in terms of absolutes, meaning that we would never say there would never be a trade that you would not consider... if something was to come around that you were truly excited about, you always have to consider those things," added Bartelstein.

  Beal and LeBron James are the only two players in the league with no-trade clauses.

  Chris Haynes reported earlier on Wednesday that the Bucks have yet to inquire about a potential Beal trade.

• Bucks Haven't Inquired With Suns On Bradley Beal

  The Milwaukee Bucks have not inquired about the availability of Bradley Beal, reports Chris Haynes.

  "It was explained to me that a connection between the two is nonexistent," said Haynes.

  When Beal was traded by the Washington Wizards in 2023, he reportedly had some level of interest in the Bucks.

  The Bucks have been active on the trade market with speculation that they could send out Khris Middleton in a package that results in them taking back Beal.

• Bucks Looking For Ways To Clear Salary To Add High-Salary Veteran

  The Milwaukee Bucks have been searching for ways to cut salary. Such a move would get Milwaukee under the second apron. That would free up their ability to aggregate player salaries in a trade. That trade plan seems focused on adding a high-salary veteran to the roster.

  The Bucks have been linked to Bradley Beal, as a part of a possible multi-team deal that lands Jimmy Butler with the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks could also have interest in Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls.

  Milwaukee is roughly $6.5 million over the second apron. A popular suggestion for getting under that line, and out of its burdensome restrictions, is to move Pat Connaughton's $9.4 million salary to a team with cap space (Detroit Pistons) or a big enough exception (several teams). Teams can now use their signing exceptions as trade exceptions in deals. Connaughton's deal would fit for a team that still has their Non-Taxpayer MLE remaining.

• Jalen Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo Named NBA Players Of Week 13

  Jalen Green and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 13.

  Green averaged 32.5 points while shooting 60.6 percent from the floor and 63.3 percent from the three-point line as the Houston Rockets went 3-1.

  Antetokounmpo averaged 32.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists as the Milwaukee Bucks went 4-0.

• Bucks May Have Interest In Trading For Bradley Beal

  The Milwaukee Bucks have not been told that they shouldn't show interest in Jimmy Butler. However, that doesn't mean that Milwaukee will make an offer for Butler either.

  Instead, the Bucks are more likely to show interest in acquiring Bradley Beal from the Phoenix Suns. That could be as part of a transaction that ultimately sends Butler to his desired destination of Phoenix, or it could be a separate deal entirely.

  Milwaukee previously showed interest in Beal when he was still a member of the Washington Wizards. It's unknown if the veteran guard would approve a trade to the Bucks or not. And, in order to trade for Beal, Milwaukee would need to get under the second apron to be able to aggregate the necessary salaries in a deal to acquire Beal. That will likely require find a team to take on Pat Connaughton's $9.4 million contract, without the Bucks taking any salary back.

• Teams Monitoring Pat Connaughton Availability

  Rival teams are monitoring the availability of Pat Connaughton, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  The Bucks are currently $6.5 million over the second apron, with Connaughton making $9.42 million this season.

  Connaughton also has a player option for the same amount next season.

  The Pistons, who have $14 million in cap space, are seen as a logical destination for Connaughton.

• Jimmy Butler Open To Trade To Bucks

  As Jimmy Butler closes in on a return to the Miami Heat from his suspension, trade rumors continue to swirl around him and his team. Butler reportedly still wants to go to the Phoenix Suns, but that continues to be a hard trade puzzle to piece together.

  It was also recently reported that Butler's camp has told the Milwaukee Bucks that he isn't interested in being traded there. Other league sources have said that Butler hasn't ruled out a deal to Milwaukee.

  It was also reported that Butler's representatives let the Memphis Grizzlies know that he doesn't want to be traded there. To this point, no additional reporting has come out to counter that.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Following Loss To Knicks: 'We've Gotta Get Our Stuff Together'

  The Milwaukee Bucks lost 140-106 to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

  The Bucks are now 0-8 against the top three teams in the East.

  "We've gotta get our stuff together. It's as simple as that. We did not beat Boston. We did not beat the Cavs. We didn't beat the Knicks. Those are the top three teams, and we've played horribly against them," said Giannis Antetokounmpo after the game.

  Antetokounmpo finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

  Damian Lillard said that the results against the top three could turn come playoff time.

  "One year in Portland, we got our asses whupped every [regular-season] game by OKC. Then in the playoffs, we whupped their ass. So no; we haven't beaten the top teams. But we also have to key in, look at why, figure out the context and move forward," said Lillard.

  The Bucks are now 20-17 on the season.