The Bucks are expected to be a ‘major player’ at the trade deadline. Will the potential All-Star forward be the top target?

The The Milwaukee Bucks will be among the most active teams in the NBA in talks at this year’s trade deadline. While a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has been the story of the NBA for most of the year, league executives expect The Bucks will be a buyer before Feb. 5 as they aim to surround their franchise player with more talent, according to ESPN.

“Among league executives contacted by ESPN, the Bucks were a near-unanimous choice to be the major players at the deadline,” Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps wrote. “General manager Jon Horst has scoured the league for talent at virtually every position in recent weeks, once again trying to bolster the supporting cast around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. … Expectations from a wide range of sources are that Milwaukee will continue to be far more likely to add than entertain trading the best player in franchise history.”

The Bucks struggled lately, losing four of their last five games. As they sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference at 17-24, all indications are that they continue to build around Antetokounmpo.

Will Bucks target Michael Porter Jr. at the deadline to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Despite spending most of their assets over the past few seasons, the Bucks have enough in the cupboard to make a significant move. They have several mid-sized contacts that match the salary and could trade a first-round pick in 2031 or 2032. Milwaukee could also offer to trade the pick that doesn’t move.

“Milwaukee still has a first-round pick they can trade, and they’re $14 million under the luxury tax,” an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN. “I’ve seen teams make chicken salad with less.”

If the Bucks intend to make one last push to compete with Antetokounmpo, Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. could be their top target. Porter is the best player on the market in the midst of a breakout season, while coming in as the No. 1 option. 1 in Brooklyn. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 49/40/84 shooting and is in the running for his first All-Star appearance.

Porter’s elite floor spacing and secondary shot creation would take a significant offensive burden off Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee’s offense is 16.1 points worse per 100 possessions with Antetokounmpo off the floor, the most by any NBA player who has played over 400 minutes, per CleaningTheGlass.

With the Nets in the early stages of a rebuild, league circles see Porter as reachable at the deadlinealthough the price will not be low. The Bucks could package Kyle Kuzma and other smaller contracts to match Porter’s salary in the trade. Including their unprotected first-round pick in 2031 or 2032 should be enough to pique Brooklyn’s interest.