The Milwaukee Bucks are desperate to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with assets in order to get to the next level.
This includes taking on bad salary, if necessary.
Zach Lowe of ESPN reported the Bucks are exploring a possible sign-and-trade that would result in them signing Sacramento Kings swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic and fellow Kings forward Harrison Barnes:
In any case, the Bucks will be active. They love Bogdan Bogdanovic, a restricted free agent with the Sacramento Kings who would require a sign-and-trade; the Bucks have kicked around scenarios in which they also absorb Harrison Barnes, sources have told ESPN. It is unclear if they have engaged the Kings in real discussions; it's early. (Acquiring any player in a sign-and-trade would trigger the hard cap.)
Bogdanovic is a playmaker on the wing who can act as a secondary ball-handler and create off the dribble. He can also fill it up from beyond the arc, with a 37.4 three-point shooting percentage for his career.
The 28-year-old could be the kind of floor-spacer and playmaker Milwaukee needs in the rotation. However, the Kings had entered the offseason with the belief they would match offer sheets for Bogdanovic.
That could change if the Bucks are open to absorbing Barnes' remaining three years and over $60 million remaining on his contract.
The contract looks gross, but Barnes is another guy who can shoot it and rebound a little bit. Perhaps Milwaukee's strong defense would also serve to benefit him on that end of the floor.
Marc Lasry indicated the Bucks would be willing to spend into the luxury tax in order to build a winner and take the next step. Perhaps this is the move that achieves that goal.
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