There’s been plenty of discussion about the possibility that the Milwaukee Bucks will add Jimmy Butler or Bradley Beal to their roster, and why not?
Neither player is quite at home with their current organizations. Butler’s bond with the Miami Heat has been broken. Beal’s coming off the bench at the behest of Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer. Consequently, both stars could be on the move within the next 10 days. Honestly, that scenario seems like the Heat and Suns’ preference.
However, there’s reason to doubt that Milwaukee would be the final destination.
Bucks’ Best Trade Target Isn’t Jimmy Butler Or Bradley Beal
Butler is expected to opt out of his contract in the offseason, which could become a thorny situation for the Bucks. His on-court fit is questionable as well. Upon arrival, he would be the third fiddle behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. The problem with that is third options have to play off their co-stars, leading to them spotting-up frequently. Neither Butler nor Antetokounmpo are particularly effective beyond the arc though and Lillard is used to having the ball in his hands.
Beal would be the better option, as he’s a better three-point shooter. His role has shifted multiple times with the Suns. Nonetheless, his time in Phoenix has shown him how to navigate as a third option. However, because of how well they shoot the ball, slotting him alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker should’ve gone smoother. Had they not all had experience being the face of a franchise, maybe it would have.
All of that being said, the Bucks’ best trade target doesn’t appear to be Butler or Beal. Instead, they should turn their focus to Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant.
Blazers’ Jerami Grant Is The Top Option
Now in his 11th season, Grant has averaged 19.9 points per game on 37.9 percent shooting from three since 2020-21.
The 30-year-old has played just about every role since being drafted in 2014. Initially, he was a minor bench player with the Philadelphia 76ers. After being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, he began to evolve offensively. By the time he landed with the Denver Nuggets, he was regarded as two-way player with untapped potential.
This led to Grant leaving the Nuggets in search of a more expansive role, which he received with the Detroit Pistons. Eventually, he became a featured scorer for the Blazers, even while Lillard was there.
Jerami Grant WENT OFF for a career-high 44 PTS to lead the @trailblazers to the OT win at MSG!
@JeramiGrant: 44 PTS (50% FG)
— NBA (@NBA) November 26, 2022
This season, he’s taken a step back, perhaps due to Portland’s emphasis on developing their young talent. Nevertheless, his experiences make him an ideal third option on a title-contender. Said player needs to be able to play off of more capable scorers but impose their will when necessary. There’s no better way to describe Grant.
Replacing Khris Middleton
If the Bucks are willing to trade Khris Middleton, Grant should be attainable. When he inked his contract with the Blazers, Lillard was still in town; they were thinking about the playoffs. Now that they’re firmly in the midst of rebuild, his age and contract don’t make sense for their timeline. To that point, Grant is due $102.6 million from 2025-26 to 2027-28.
Middleton still has another year remaining on his contract, but the Blazers will get substantial cap relief in 2026 by trading for him. Currently, Portland is projected to be $12 million over the cap in the 2026 offseason. With Middleton on the roster instead of Grant, they’d be projected to have $22 million in cap space.
Meanwhile, the Bucks improve their chances of winning a championship. Though the offensive side is fun to discuss, Grant is a better defender than Middleton right now. This is important because every player will have a rough game or stretch when it comes to scoring. It’s natural. However, those that can still bring it at the defensive end can lead their teams to a win regardless.
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