The Milwaukee Bucks traded away a ton of future draft capital in order to acquire Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans. That trend continued on Wednesday.
Milwaukee traded two future second-round picks to the Orlando Magic in exchange for the No. 45 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft
The Magic released the specifics of the deal:
PRESS RELEASE:@OrlandoMagic acquire two future second round draft picks from Milwaukee#MagicTogether #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/nxBncxXHKB
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) November 18, 2020
Breaking, per an NBA source: The Magic have agreed to trade their second-round pick (45th overall) in tonight’s draft to the Milwaukee Bucks for two future second-round picks.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) November 18, 2020
This move appears to be in line with Milwaukee's win-now approach this offseason. Picking in the middle of the second round is unlikely to net the Bucks a superstar, but the 45th selection might give Milwaukee a quality depth piece.
Then again, there are probably some monetary reasons involved. Bobby Marks of ESPN says the Bucks are hoping to “stockpile” second-round picks in an effort to avoid the luxury tax:




Milwaukee now has no. 45 and 60 in the second round. The goal has been to stockpile 2’s for cap purposes to avoid the luxury tax.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 18, 2020
If nothing else, the Bucks are showing Giannis Antetokounmpo they are willing to be extremely aggressive in the pursuit of a championship.
Antetokounmpo is eligible for a supermax extension, one that would make him the highest-paid player in the league. The Greek Freak has until Dec. 21 to decide whether he will sign the extension, and the Bucks are growing more active in the hopes he decides to stay.
Milwaukee gave up three future firsts and two pick swaps — plus Eric Bledsoe and George Hill — to acquire Holiday from the Pelicans. The Bucks also orchestrated a sign-and-trade to acquire Bogdan Bogdanovic from the Sacramento Kings.
Now, Milwaukee has multiple seconds in Wednesday night's draft. Might they package the two picks to move toward the top of the second round?
That last part remains to be seen, but the Bucks are wheeling and dealing.