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Could the Milwaukee Bucks make a blockbuster trade to pair Anthony Davis with Giannis Antetokounmpo to form what would be arguably the deadliest duo in the NBA?
It's not very likely, but let's have some fun with it and explore the possibilities:
https://twitter.com/willswims/status/1090320840732934144
In this monster trade, the New Orleans Pelicans will send Davis and a few other negligible pieces to the Bucks in exchange for a package headlined by Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon.
The Bucks would also send a first-round draft pick with all sorts of protections on it the Pelicans' way.
So, is this a deal that New Orleans would potentially consider?
Well, when trading a superstar player, your ultimate goal is to get a player you feel has the ability to become a star sometime down the line in the deal, if not multiple guys who fit that bill.
Here, the Pelicans are getting a really good player in Middleton, but Middleton is already 27 years old and has peaked, so it's not like he is going to develop into some star player at any point. Is he a fringe All-Star? Maybe, but in reality, he is just a really good all-around player who represents a good third or fourth option on a legitimate contender.
The other two main pieces New Orleans would be getting are Brogdon—who won the Rookie of the Year award in 2017—and rookie guard Donte DiVincenzo, who has been struggling mightily this season.
Is that enough for the Pels? Probably not.
Again, while Middleton is good, he is the kind of guy you add to put your team over the top. You don't trade for him if you are attempting to rebuild, which is what New Orleans will be doing when it ultimately sends Davis packing (as per his request).
Brogdon is really good. He is very efficient offensively and can guard multiple positions defensively. But, does he have star potential? It's debatable, but probably not.
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While the 26-year-old may very well join the 50-40-90 club this season, as he is posting ridiculous percentages right now, it's hard to imagine him ever becoming a go-to scorer on the offensive end.
He can possibly become a solid No. 3 option on a contender, which, at times, is a fringe All-Star type of player, but we are talking about Anthony Davis here, so the return for the Pelicans has to be maximized.
DiVincenzo seems like nothing more than a “maybe he will become a decent role player someday” type of guy at this point. He's a shooter who is shooting 24.6 percent from three-point range this year, which should tell you everything you need to know about how well his rookie campaign is going.
This is actually Milwaukee's biggest problem right now and why it's tough to really buy into the Bucks as a legitimate title contender this season and beyond.
Yes, we know Antetokounmpo is phenomenal, but the talent around him is questionable.
The Bucks are going to struggle to add another star alongside of The Greek Freak, as Milwaukee is not exactly a free agent hot spot and the Bucks don't have a whole lot of young talent to send back to other teams in trades.
Of course, Milwaukee would love to add Davis, and Bucks general manager Jon Horst will likely place a phone call to Pelicans general manager Dell Demps (if he hasn't already) sometime between now and the Feb. 7 trade deadline, but you have to wonder just how far discussions will go.
Outside of Giannis and probably Brogdon, the Bucks don't have much that would really pique the Pelicans' interest.
Again, we are talking about a 25-year-old who may very well be the best power forward we have seen since the prime years of Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, so New Orleans needs to be absolutely sure it is getting the best possible return for its prized big man.
It is going to be very difficult for Milwaukee to top what the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks can offer. The Lakers can base a trade around Kyle Kuzma. The Celtics have Jayson Tatum. The Knicks have Kristaps Porzingis and may also end up with the No. 1 overall pick, which will probably be Duke's Zion Williamson.
Those teams also have other assets to sweeten the pot for the Pelicans, and let's not forget that the Celtics still have a wealth of draft picks, a stash that never seems to end.
The Bucks can try to pry Davis away from New Orleans, but the chances of them actually succeeding in doing are slim to none.
The thought of Giannis and The Brow in Milwaukee is tantalizing, though. Actually, it's downright scary.
