The Atlanta Hawks committed highway robbery this season, stealing a New Orleans Pelicans 2026 first round pick that has been dubbed the "best pick that has ever been traded.” Now that Giannis Antetokounmpo has formally requested a trade, the draft asset is even better than expected.
The pick itself is a swap between the Pelicans and Bucks – a relic of the Jrue Holiday trade that helped Milwaukee win its first title in 50 years. Entering the season, the Pelicans were clearly the team most likely to land a top pick, and they currently hold the best lottery odds with a depressing 3-20 record.
But if there is anything the last two drafts have taught us, it's that anyone can get lucky in the lottery. Atlanta jumped nine spots to earn the top selection in the draft to take Zaccharie Risacher, and the Mavericks moved up 10 spots to pick Cooper Flagg first this year.
The Bucks would have the 13th-best lottery odds if the season ended today. The season does not end today, however, and Giannis is set to be sidelined for a month with a calf strain. There is a good chance The Greek Freak will never suit up for the Bucks again.
The Bucks roster is doomed without Giannis
Milwaukee cannot compete with the East, even with Antetokounmpo on the floor. With him potentially gone, the Bucks' expectations are low, to say the least.
Ryan Rollins has been one of the most fun developmental stories of the season. The young point guard developed into a star this year, averaging 17.9 points and 1.6 steals, in what could be the only positive story for the Bucks all season. He’s complemented by Myles Turner, a strong defender whose spacing value positively affects his teammates.
Outside of Rollins and Turner, however, the Bucks roster is full of holes. The other three starters are A.J. Green, Kyle Kuzma, and Gary Trent Jr. This is a team that sorely lacks a primary star, team defense, rebounding, and shotmaking inside the arc. In fact, Kuzma is the only player in this starting five who makes two pointers at an above-average rate, and even he is just a hair over the line. We could be in for some truly horrid basketball.
The Bucks will return talent in a trade, and with the right package, the Bucks could end the season with a semi-competitive record. In my eyes, however, the Giannis-less Bucks need more than a De’Aaron Fox trade to become competitive.