Insider Warns Milwaukee Bucks to Keep Coveted 2031 First Round Pick Despite Trade Value

Future Question Marks Leave Milwaukee Bucks in Precarious Position

By the time the draft pick comes into play, Giannis will be 36 years old, whether he remains in Milwaukee or has gone elsewhere. Doubting Antetokounmpo should be undertaken at one’s own risk, but it seems safe to say that his prime will be behind him, or at least receding. Is that team a playoff contender? If Giannis has help, then probably. Is it good enough to win a championship? That depends.

Without a cache of draft picks or appealing trade chips, it will be more difficult to find him a superstar running mate than it has in the past. If they don’t re-sign Lillard, who will turn 37 in July of 2027, having Dame’s salary off the books would help in that regard.

Of course, Antetokounmpo would have to sign an extension, or else re-sign with the Bucks in free agency, before his deal expires at the end of the 2027-28 campaign.

If Giannis leaves and the Bucks enter a rebuild, they will be bad – very bad – for a few years.

All this uncertainty lends tremendous upside to that 2031 first-rounder. This makes it a valuable trade asset in the present, but shipping it would only further decimate the team’s long-term outlook.

Using Pick on Temporary Help for Giannis Could Backfire in Big Way

Without further ado, here are Garcia’s thoughts on the matter:

“I don’t know what player is available on the market that you could bring in that’s going to be the Band-Aid that, okay, now you’re back in that hunt. With how far you’ve already kicked the can down the road, I just don’t see any scenario where I’m entertaining trading that 2031 pick.”

The Bucks could use it in a package to acquire, for example, John Collins and Collin Sexton from the Utah Jazz, but both returning players are on expiring contracts. Is that worth giving up a potential lottery pick, depending on how bad the team is six years from now?

Any first round picks the Bucks will get between now and 2031 are dictated by another team’s swap rights. For example, New Orleans can swap for their 2026 and 2027 picks; Portland can in 2028 and 2030. The Bucks don’t have a 2029 first rounder.

Thus, Milwaukee won’t enjoy a high-value pick for some time; 2031 is their earliest shot. While that fact devalues tanking, the low quality of their available picks also limits the resources they have to acquire pieces and stay competitive. Trading their 2031 selection for a one-year rental would do them no favors – only harm – if they fail to win big or re-sign the incoming player.

“I wouldn’t say it’s completely off the table,” countered co-host Camille Davis, citing the unforeseen availability of a trade the Bucks couldn’t pass up, “[but] I do get the Bucks fans who are also like, ‘Yo, we literally have nothing. Why are we going to entertain putting this on the table?'”