The Milwaukee Bucks have one singular goal this season: win another NBA Championship. They certainly have the star power to get it done with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard on their roster. Both players were voted as NBA All-Star Game starters last season and are both members of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. Now that they have a full offseason in which to work out together (the Lillard trade happened right before training camp last year), they should be able to find the best ways in which to play together
The Bucks also have Khris Middleton who, despite what many may believe, is one of the best third options in the NBA. Without him, the Bucks may not have even lasted six games in their opening round loss to the Indian Pacers this past postseason. Without Giannis and a healthy Lillard, Middleton averaged 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 48/35/90 from the floor.
What the Bucks do need, however, is more athletic and versatile defenders, which they have spent this offseason acquiring.
The Milwaukee Bucks Have Gotten Younger and More Versatile Through Free Agency and the NBA Draft
Mar 26, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Taurean Prince (12) puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
The Bucks were at point thought to be shopping one or both of the picks in the NBA Draft in order to add a player that could help them win right now. Instead, they used both of their picks on 19-year-old prospects that may need some time before they can contribute to an NBA roster. AJ Johnson was taken in the first round and Tyler Smith was taken in the second.
Due to their immense salary cap, the Bucks are not currently able to make any signings above the veteran minimum. However, they have been able to sign two significant free agents: point guard Delon Wright and power forward Taurean Prince.
These two players are both good defenders and can shoot the three. Both are also expected to come off of Milwaukee’s bench as well, strengthening their secondary unit.
However, one NBA analyst thinks the Bucks should make another move, one that would cost them their starting center.
NBA Analyst from The Athletic Suggests the Milwaukee Bucks Trade Brook Lopez to the Detroit Pistons
Dec 2, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11), right, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
James L. Edwards III of The Athletic recently suggested a trade that would send Brook Lopez to the Detroit Pistons as part of an article he wrote exploring five different potential trade partners for Detroit. Of the hypothetical trade with Milwaukee, he wrote:
“Milwaukee is currently $11.5 million over the cap, and there have been rumors of Brook Lopez and his expiring contract potentially being moved. Detroit could step in and give the Bucks some youth and open up the nontaxpayer MLE to add another piece or two.
“Here is what a trade would have to look like to, potentially, satisfy both sides:
Pistons receive Brook Lopez and a future first-round pick (2031).
Bucks receive Jalen Duren.“For Detroit, this move gets an elite rim protector and shooter from the center spot while also adding some draft capital. On Milwaukee’s end, and I’m not sure if the Bucks’ fan base will love this, but it gets a recent lottery pick under team control who can play now while also opening up a significant exception to use. This deal seems very far-fetched, but it doesn’t feel impossible.”
Jalen Duren is a six-foot-ten center who averaged 13.8 points and 11.6 rebounds for the Pistons last season. He has only been in the NBA for two years, so he does have plenty of team control left. Adding him would allow the Bucks to immediately fill the starting center spot that Lopez would leave if moved.
Feb 12, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The downside, though, is that Duren is not a three-point shooter. Whereas Lopez can spread the floor on offense, Duren cannot. This could create issues for both Giannis and Lillard who like to drive inside and kickout passes to open shooters.
Still, it is an intriguing idea on how the Bucks could get younger at center.
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VIDEO: Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss Drops Major Hint That She Hooked Up With Magic Johnson After He Was Drafted In 1979
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss seemingly hinted at once hooking up with franchise legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson back in the ’70s.
Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson (Photos via Getty Images)
Jeanie Buss inherited the Lakers from her father, Jerry Buss, following his passing at the age of 80 in 2013. Magic Johnson worked in the Lakers’ front office from 2017 to 2019, serving as the president of basketball operations.
Johnson played a pivotal role in recruiting LeBron James in 2018 free agency. Two years later, James led the Lakers to an NBA Championship (their first in 10 years) in the Orlando Bubble.
During a recent appearance on “ALL THE SMOKE” hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Jeanie Buss recalled one of the first interactions she had with Johnson after he was drafted first overall in 1979.
Buss recalled seeing Johnson’s signature and flashy smile when she opened the door to welcome him inside. And with the way she told the story, some fans are now convinced that Buss and Johnson hooked up that night:
Buss recalled Johnson even telling her that his plan was to leave the Lakers in three years so that he could play for his hometown team, the Detroit Pistons. After Jeanie relayed the message to her father, Dr. Buss promised Johnson wouldn’t play for another team after putting on the Lakers jersey.
Jeanie Buss & Magic Johnson Brought Lakers Back To Relevance
The Lakers endured one of their worst stretch runs in franchise history from 2014 to 2019, finishing no better than 37-45 during that stretch. They missed the playoffs every year and had little draft lottery luck.
But Buss’ decision to bring Johnson back in 2017 proved to be a franchise-changing move. If not for Johnson, perhaps the Los Angeles Lakers would not have recruited LeBron, and their period of irrelevance would have lasted even longer.
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NBA Legend Karl Malone Reportedly Claims To Have Finally Made Peace With His Former NFLer Son After Impregnating His 13-Year-Old Mother As A 20-Year-Old
NBA legend Karl Malone has again come under fire for his scandalous past following an online rumor claiming he has finally made peace with his son.
Karl Malone and Demetress Bell (Photos via Getty Images)v
It’s been widely known that the former Utah Jazz star had a son with a 13-year-old while he was a fully grown adult, though he never dealt with any consequences.
Malone, now 60, had a son conceived with a 13-year-old Gloria Bell when he was 20. He refused to acknowledge or support him, only meeting him once before they agreed to work on their relationship in 2014.
The son, Demetress Bell, went by the name Demetrius until finding out it was actually spelled “Demetress” in 2012. He was also a basketball player and went to play for Northwestern State College on a scholarship but opted to focus on football, leading to a five-year career in the NFL.
Karl Malone Reportedly Announces Major Step In Relationship With His Son
According to a social media claim from Facebook user Vance Michael Collins, Malone recently revealed having made peace with Bell.
“NBA great Karl Malone states he has finally made peace with the son he conceived at age 22 with a 13 year old girl, Gloria Bell!!!” the post reads.
“Malone initially denied paternity fearing imprisonment and REFUSED to pay $125 a week in child support despite earning a total $101,723,378 throughout his NBA career! He eventually settled with the family out of court and a DNA test did in fact reveal Malone to be the father of Buffalo Bills player, Demetrius Bell. Malone now publicly acknowledges Bell as his son.”
Although Malone’s statement has yet to be confirmed, it has led to plenty of online criticism for The Mailman.
“I didn’t handle it right; I was wrong,” he said of his relationships with his children in 2018, having also denied fathering twins who were determined to be his. “Father Time is the biggest thief that’s out there, and you can’t get that back.”v
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