BUCKS NATION UPDATE: Milwaukee Bucks Insider Reveals Details of Blockbuster Trade That will ‘Drastically Alter’ Roster Around Bucks Main Core

At this moment, it appears like the Milwaukee Bucks will continue to develop around their two cornerstone superstars, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, as they prepare to compete for the championship next season.

You may argue that Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez should be included in the team’s core, given they have been key to Milwaukee’s success over the last few years.

It is also true that, given the Bucks’ limited asset pool, any large offseason trade might result in a significant loss for them.

Should the Milwaukee Bucks trade Brook Lopez?
In a recent mailbag, team insider Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel answered a slew of questions from Milwaukee supporters. One of those queries was about the Bucks making big changes to their roster ahead of the next campaign.

According to Owczarski, the organization may need to seriously consider parting ways with Lopez (and possibly Bobby Portis) if they want to make significant changes to their roster this summer.

“The only way to significantly modify the roster would be to move one of the ‘core four.’ To me, Antetokounmpo and Lillard are inseparable. I don’t believe Middleton can currently return a similar-level player to help the 2024-25 team win a championship. So that leaves Lopez. Perhaps Portis (who is eligible for an extension).

“Now, (general manager Jon Horst) would only trade Jrue Holiday for a player as gifted as Lillard.” If Lopez and/or Portis were to be traded, it would have to be for players who could help the Bucks win the championship this season and next. Since the Bucks pulled Lillard out of the hat, one must always be prepared for another spectacular big move,” Owczarski wrote.

This makes sense. Lopez has established himself as a fan favourite over the years (as has Portis), but the hard truth is that the former All-Star big man is the Bucks’ only viable trade asset right now.

Milwaukee could make a splash in free agency or make a few minor trades here and there, but the truth is that a significant roster upgrade requires a major sacrifice.