The Bucks’ Most Likely Trade Candidate This Season

The Milwaukee Bucks will make a trade before the NBA trade deadline. The Bucks are rebuilding their roster after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, and they have a ton of young players. The Bucks have a decent foundation and aren't completely starting over, but they're clearly trying to build something that can last beyond the next season or two.

If I had to vote on who the Bucks will try to trade this season, that player would be Myles Turner. Turner is one of the most interesting players on the roster. He can still help the Bucks compete, and there is no reason the Bucks have to trade him immediately. However, if you’re a rebuilding team, it makes more sense to play the younger players over older veterans.

Turner Was Acquired for a Different Bucks Team

The biggest issue isn't Turner as a player; it’s how dramatically the situation around him has changed.

Milwaukee signed Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million deal in 2025 with the idea that he would complement Antetokounmpo. It made plenty of sense at the time based on his skill set.

Turner could stretch the floor offensively, protect the rim defensively, and give Antetokounmpo more space to attack. The Bucks were trying to squeeze everything they could out of their championship window, and they brought Turner in to help them do exactly that.

Turner is now 30 years old on a roster that has started trending younger. That doesn't suddenly make him a bad fit on the court, but it does raise questions about whether keeping him long term makes sense.

Kel'el Ware Could Eventually Force Milwaukee's Hand

Ware's addition is another reason Turner becomes someone to watch.

Ware is exactly the type of player Milwaukee should be evaluating this season. He's young, athletic, can protect the rim and has shown some ability to stretch the floor. He still has plenty of areas to develop, but that's part of the point.

The Bucks need to find out what they have, and they need to see if he can make a leap this season.

Ware has a chance to become Milwaukee’s future starting center. If Ware improves and makes that leap, the Bucks should definitely prioritize his minutes over Turner's.

Milwaukee can certainly play both big men, and having Turner around could actually help Ware's development early in the season. The Bucks have to start prioritizing players who fit their new core's timeline.