If the Kyrie Irving trade to the Boston Celtics actually falls through, the Cleveland Cavaliers will have plenty of teams knocking on their door to inquire about the 25-year old 4x All-Star point guard. One of those teams, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe, is the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks have reportedly put an offer in place that includes the reigning Rookie of the Year, Malcolm Brodgon, as well as forward Khris Middleton, in the event that the Cleveland Cavaliers call off the Celtics' trade. Lowe added that Milwaukee would likely be willing to include a first round pick, if they believe Kyrie will sign on to a long-term deal.
Per Zach Lowe,
"The Milwaukee Bucks lurk on the fringes of the Irving bidding with an offer centered around Malcolm Brogdon, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, and Khris Middleton, sources say. The Bucks have not yet put a first-round pick on the table, sources say, but the bet here is that they would to get the deal done -- or if Irving showed any interest in staying in Milwaukee long-term."
"Phoenix was never moving Josh Jackson, and there is minimal Irving buzz around them now. Minnesota stands as a wild card until Andrew Wiggins signs the five-year max offer reportedly in front of him."
After the Cavs agreed to send Kyrie to Boston in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 unprotected first round pick, Milwaukee's deal certainly doesn't seem as enticing. Brodgon averaged 10.2 points and 4.2 assists per game in his rookie season but Middleton, 26, suffered from injuries which limited him to just 29 games last year. He had averaged a career-high 18.2 points per game in the 2015-16 season.
Cleveland has reportedly considered asking the Celtics for another asset, such as another first round pick, due to Isaiah Thomas' injured hip, but the 28-year old All-Star point guard believes he'll be the same player.
"I am not damaged," Thomas told ESPN on Tuesday. "I'll be back, and I'll be the same player."
"I haven't had one doctor tell me that this injury is going to hurt my career," Thomas said. "Surgery was not the best option in this case. I aggravated it in March when [Minnesota's] Karl-Anthony Towns fell on me. I kept playing on it and making it worse -- until I couldn't play anymore last season."
Thomas missed the last three games of the Eastern Conference Finals due to the hip issue, and his recent physical examination with the Cavs raised more concerns.
It seems as though the trade will ultimately go through but if it doesn't, teams like the Milwaukee Bucks will be ready to pitch their offer for Kyrie.
