If the Milwaukee Bucks decide to trade for an All-Star in the $50 million range before the Feb. 6 deadline, that player is more likely to be Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal than Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler.
Bucks Trade Rumors: Milwaukee Intends To Move Pat Connaughton For Bradley Beal or Jimmy Butler Deal
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, a deal for either Beal or Butler will not happen unless Milwaukee manages to find a taker for Pat Connaughton’s $9.4 million contract in a deal that does not require the team to take back salary.
“League sources have confirmed a report from The Athletic’s Sam Amick from earlier this week that Milwaukee — unlike Memphis — has received no whispered messaging intended to discourage the Bucks from trading for Butler,” Stein wrote on Sunday for The Stein Line.
“Whether that means Milwaukee eventually emerges as a Butler suitor remains to be seen. The Bucks, to this point, have been more frequently painted as a team likely to rekindle their previous interest in Phoenix’s Bradley Beal if they intend to pursue a trade for a player in the $50 million range.
The latest Sunday Best around-the-league notes from NBA Trade Season: https://t.co/fvZOuVIGHf pic.twitter.com/iWZZpi6O3U
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 20, 2025
“The reality in Milwaukee, in any case, is that the Bucks can’t make a trade run at either player unless they first dodge second apron restrictions by finding a taker for Pat Connaughton’s $9.4 million contract in a deal that does not require them to take back salary.”
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported Thursday that NBA executives see Connaughton “as a potential trade candidate” to help the Bucks avoid being a second apron luxury tax team. Milwaukee is approximately $6.5 million over that second apron.
Connaughton also has a $9.4 million player option for 2025-26. By avoiding being a second apron luxury tax team, Milwaukee would be granted more flexibility for moves with the mid-level exception or trades involving multiple players.
Bradley Beal Is Refusing To Waive His No-Trade Clause
Since the Suns moved three second-round picks and received just one back in return in the Nick Richards trade, the team now has only its own 2031 first-round pick and the Denver Nuggets’ 2025 second-round pick for a future deal.
Phoenix also faces another obstacle: Beal will have to waive his no-trade clause. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported recently that sources close to Beal said he “has steadfastly maintained he wants to hold on to his no-trade clause, even if he ever approves a trade from Phoenix.”
Despite the latest reports about Beal’s no-trade clause, the Suns seem more willing to move on from Beal than Miami is for Jimmy Butler. The Heat said in a statement when suspending Butler that they would “listen to offers” because the All-Star forward had indicated to the team he wanted a trade.
However, although the Heat “have engaged with multiple teams” about a potential Butler trade, team president Pat Riley “has not shown an urgency in these talks” ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.
In a face-to-face meeting earlier last week, Butler told Riley that he will not sign a new deal in Miami and intends to only use his $52 million player option in the offseason for 2025-26 as a trade maneuver, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Bucks Have Three First-Round Picks, A 2031 Second-Rounder
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Milwaukee’s trade assets include three first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2030) and a 2031 second-rounder. The Bucks retain the 2026 first-rounder for right now, but it is subject to a potential pick swap with the New Orleans Pelicans.
As for the 2028 first-round pick, the trail-blazers-vs-clippers-date-time-tv-channel-live-stream/”>Portland trail Blazers own the right to swap picks. And similar to the 2028 pick, the trail Blazers have the option to swap picks, pertaining to the 2030 first-rounder.
Additionally, the Bucks fully own their 2031 first-round pick, and it can be used as trade bait ahead of next month’s deadline. Milwaukee can also use its 2031 second-rounder to entice teams.
