After meeting in the NBA Finals five years ago, there are, strangely, many parallels between the Suns’ and Bucks’ journeys since that point, the main one being that both teams ended up trading their star player without having the fallback of owning their own picks. Granted, Giannis being traded at 31 years old—as opposed to Durant at 36—meant he had significantly more value, which meant the trade return was superior and gave the Bucks a much better opportunity to reshape their roster with young talent
in the fashion of a typical rebuild.
And honestly, credit to Phoenix, who traded Durant and proceeded to have maybe the most feel-good season of any team last year. They hired an excellent coach in Jordan Ott, made shrewd roster moves around the edges, and won many more games than anyone expected them to, qualifying for the playoffs in a crowded Western Conference. Their play was excellent, but most importantly, their vibes were high. The expectation that I had, at least, was that the Suns would keep the same group together and continue to tread water whilst they climb another season out of the significant pick debt they are under.
The number one thing I wouldn’t have done? Trade another future pick!
Well, that’s exactly what Phoenix did, dispensing of their unprotected 2033 pick. I mean, before I even get to who they traded for, just moving that pick should have been off limits solely on principle. As the saying goes, “if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” And then you consider that they had dealt it in exchange for Miles Bridges, who—not even getting into his off-court issues—is barely even a needle mover! Congratulations, you went from the eighth-best team in the West to the seventh-best. Bravo. All the analyses I saw of this deal—every single one—panned the Suns, and rightly so.
Milwaukee needs to learn from this fatal flaw. As I mentioned, they are in a very similar position to Phoenix overall, but unlike the Suns, they have been able to build a young nucleus—let it grow! Let the broth simmer, and those flavours develop; add a secondary ingredient here and there, but don’t alter the whole recipe. To me, there should be little consideration given to trading a first-round pick for at least the next two years. Getting your head back above water in terms of pick equity should be a long-term goal here. The sugar rush of improving rapidly is enticing, but if that move doesn’t bring real, tangible results for a long time, you’re right back to square one.
Having said all of this, if the Bucks do trade a future pick (or picks), that player had better fit the age demographic. Of course, this is relevant given the team’s reported interest in Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson. Look, I remain mostly against such a deal, but Watson does fit into that aforementioned age demo, so I’d be able to stomach it if that came to fruition. It’s trading for guys who are closer to 30 than 20 that I’m staunchly against.
Patience is a virtue.
