The Milwaukee Bucks are in the midst of yet another disappointing off-season.  All three off-seasons since the Bucks won the championship in 2021 have been preceded by a first or second round exit from the playoffs.  Not something many expected after their 2021 title run.

Feb 27, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Many thought the Bucks would make a trade during the 2023-24 season to address the defense.  As it turns out, they almost did.

The Milwaukee Bucks Nearly Agreed To A Massive Trade

Feb 14, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) and Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) reach for a rebound in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
According to Grant Williams, he almost wound up as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks:

Prior to the Feb. 8 trade deadline, Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams revealed he was almost traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Eventually, he was traded to the Hornets by the Dallas Mavericks.

“It’s just, Charlotte was the best opportunity,” Williams said. “I think the only other team that probably would have been an option was Milwaukee but the deal kind of fell through.”

Zach Bachar of Bleacher Report further illustrated what happened with Williams:

It was a surprising move, as Dallas previously acquired the 25-year-old as part of a three-team trade in July 2023. While Williams didn’t drastically increase his production with the Mavericks despite averaging a career-high 26.4 minutes per game with them, he still shot a respectable 37.6 percent from three.

He may have worn out his welcome after just a few months in Dallas, as ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said that Williams “rubbed a lot of people the wrong way” in the organization during a Feb. 9 edition of The Hoop Collective Podcast (15:30 mark).

The trade with the Hornets has proven to be successful for the Mavericks, as they received forward P.J. Washington in return. Washington has been a key contributor throughout Dallas’ current playoff run, averaging 13.9 points and 6.7 rebounds each night in the postseason while owning the third-best net rating on the roster (via NBA.com).

Milwaukee could have used Williams to provide depth in the frontcourt, as the team fell to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs while superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play due to a calf strain.

Feb 29, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) brings the ball up court against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

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