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[Jolly Sports News] Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez might soon be the last remnants of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 championship team.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Friday that the Bucks are making three key players available for trade: forward Khris Middleton, swingman Pat Connaughton, and big man Bobby Portis. With the Feb. 6 trade deadline quickly approaching, Milwaukee appears ready to shake things up.
All three players were instrumental in the Bucks’ title run in 2021. Connaughton is the least surprising trade candidate, as he’s fallen out of the rotation and is set to hit free agency this summer. However, Middleton and Portis are fan favorites who still play meaningful roles for the team. Both players can also opt out of their contracts at the end of the season, and Middleton, in particular, has struggled to regain form after double ankle surgeries in the offseason.
The Bucks seem to be prioritizing getting younger as their current core, including Antetokounmpo (30), Lopez (36), and Damian Lillard (34), continues to age. At 25-17, Milwaukee is fighting to maintain a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference and is likely looking to add fresh legs for a playoff push.
Although they recently dropped out of the race for one high-profile All-Star trade target, it’s clear that changes are on the horizon for the team.
