NOVEMBER 17, 9:39am: ESPN’s Bobby Marks has the details on the picks headed to New Orleans in the trade, reporting (via Twitter) that in addition to this year’s No. 24 pick, the Bucks will also give up their unprotected first-rounders in 2025 and 2027. The Pelicans will have the right to swap first-rounders with Milwaukee in 2024 and 2026.
In order to ensure the 2025 and 2027 picks are freed up and don’t violate the Stepien rule, the Bucks are sending a future second-round pick to the Cavaliers, who were owed Milwaukee’s 2022 first-round pick. In exchange, the Cavs will agree to lift the top-10 protection on that first-rounder, ensuring it changes hands in ’22, per Marks (Twitter link).
Milwaukee will also receive the No. 60 pick in Wednesday’s draft as part of the deal, tweets Jonathan Givony of ESPN. That pick was originally the Bucks’ own, but was one of the second-rounders they sent to New Orleans in 2019 for Nikola Mirotic. Now they’ll have it back.
That pick will help the Bucks fill out their roster on the cheap, since a rookie drafted in the second round can likely to be signed to a minimum salary that will only count for $898,310 against the cap and tax.
There are conflicting reports on whether the Bucks will also receive the No. 42 pick in this year’s draft from New Orleans. Eric Nehm of The Athletic reported (via Twitter) that the pick is part of the deal, while Andrew Lopez of ESPN (Twitter link) has been told that Milwaukee is only receiving No. 60.
NOVEMBER 16, 10:33pm: The Bucks have reached a deal to acquire standout guard Jrue Holiday from the Pelicans, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reports (via Twitter) that New Orleans will receive Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, and draft compensation in return.
That draft compensation is substantial — the Pelicans will receive three future first-round picks from Milwaukee, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). One of those three selections is this year’s No. 24 pick, tweets David Aldridge of The Athletic. New Orleans will also acquire a pair of future draft pick swaps in the deal, per Charania (Twitter link).
Holiday, 30, is coming off a 2019/20 season in which he averaged 19.1 PPG, 6.7 APG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.6 SPG with a shooting line of .455/.353/.709 in 61 games (34.7 MPG) for New Orleans. Although he didn’t earn a spot on one of this season’s All-Defensive teams, he has done so twice in the past and is widely considered one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders.
Acquiring Holiday is an all-in move for the Bucks and general manager Jon Horst, who are trying to convince two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign a super-max contract extension to remain with the team long-term. Antetokounmpo has repeatedly stated that he’s interesting in staying in Milwaukee as long as he believes the club is capable of winning a title.
[RELATED: Giannis Says He’s Not Looking To Leave Milwaukee]
Upgrading their backcourt by acquiring Holiday should make the Bucks – who have posted the league’s best regular season record in each of the last two seasons – an even more formidable title threat. However, the acquisition cost is significant, particularly given Holiday’s contract situation.
The 30-year-old’s deal will pay him $25.9MM in 2020/21 and includes a $26.8MM player option for ’21/22, meaning he can reach free agency a year from now. While Antetokounmpo and Holiday are both eligible to hit the open market and sign elsewhere in 2021, it sounds like the Bucks are betting heavily on their ability to lock up both players to new deals.
On that note, Marc Stein of The New York Times tweets that the last couple weeks have been “filled with chatter” about the possibility that Antetokounmpo will sign his super-max offer this offseason. Milwaukee’s willingness to give up so many future assets seems to reflect the team’s optimism, Stein observes.
Holiday’s age and contract situation prompted the Pelicans to explore the trade market in search of a deal this offseason, as president of basketball operations David Griffin looked to acquire pieces that better line up with the timeline of the club’s young core, led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
While the Pelicans were reportedly willing to hang onto Holiday if a favorable deal didn’t materialize, a return of three first-round picks and two pick swaps was too appealing to turn down. Having landed a substantial haul in last year’s Anthony Davis trade as well, New Orleans now has five extra first-round picks in future seasons, as well as three pick swaps.
It remains to be seen whether Bledsoe and Hill – both veterans in their 30s who probably aren’t part of the Pelicans’ long-term plans – will spend the season in New Orleans or if the team will look to flip one or both players in subsequent deals.
Bledsoe, a strong defender whose offensive limitations have hurt the Bucks in the last two postseasons, averaged 14.9 PPG, 5.4 APG, and 4.6 RPG on .475/.344/.790 shooting in 61 games (27.0 MPG) in 2019/20. He has three years and about $54MM left on his contract, though his 2022/23 salary ($19.4MM) is mostly non-guaranteed.
Hill, meanwhile, was a reliable rotation player in Milwaukee, averaging 9.4 PPG, 3.1 APG, and 3.0 RPG on .516/.460/.842 in 59 games (21.5 MPG) last season. The 34-year-old has a guaranteed $9.6MM salary in ’20/21 with a lightly guaranteed $10MM salary for ’21/22.
With Holiday off the market, teams like the Nuggets and Nets, who were linked to the veteran guard, will have to look elsewhere for a potential upgrade on the wing.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
W
Not bad …..not bad
Nice pickup for the bucks. holiday is so underrated .
Hopefully a better return then that. Sounds weak
3 first round picks ain’t bad.
Thats only 1 less than what the Rockets gave up for Westbrook. With your boys on the way out, that’s gonna be multiple top 5 picks Rockets lose to other teams.
3 firsts also. Pelicans so. This trade
Giannis is staying.
Why is everyone saying that? Holiday and Bogdanovic are both on the last year of their contract. Totally plausible that Bucks could just say let’s go all in on this season.
Bogs was a sign and trade and from what I read he had to sign at least a 3 year deal for the deal to get done.
Holiday has a player option, but as others have said, he can opt out and sign a longer deal.
Also, literally nowhere has Giannis made 1 comment implying he is looking to go anywhere. Everything remotely suggesting otherwise has been people just making stuff up because they hope he’ll walk and sign with their team.
Said no one outside wisconsin.
Except for national guys like Windhorst and Stein.
Gonna need more than an aging pg, harden needs to be next if they package middleton in some form to get harden. If this is all they do I don’t see giannis staying around.
So they just gave up three picks and two swaps. Yet you think they can get Harden. Or even better they should go after Harden. I guess you don’t really get this sport.
This must be Sillyman ….. has to be right.
An aging PG —. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Haha ha ha ha haha haha ha ha ha ha ha.
Catch my breath hmmmmmmmmmm
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Harden is older than him lol. Kids today are such kidders
Only person in the world who would describe holiday as an aging pg.
Here comes curtis with the Bostonian take, 5 firstS for a 30 year old pg yikes. Bucks got fleeced
Simpleton Al your the same guy that said harden would be had for less. This just set market 1/2 years remaining it’s going to cost 3 1sts and 2 swaps plus young players now imagine someone trading for a borderline mvp. Again exposing your basketball iq or lack there of.
The Sunami got jokes. Be thankful we are all civil here. First off I’ve never said that. I said I wouldn’t want Harden. I’ve been on this board a long time child. Everyone here knows I don’t like Harden. But a trade is not up to me. I’ve posted to you. That Nets is best offer for Harden. Cause 1 seems he wants to go there. 2 Getting three young players who can start is a nice package to start. Plus aging PG that’s your mouth swallowing. How in the world can Bucks get Harden, your mouth swallowing again. Dynamo here called Holiday and aging PG. Thennposted they still need a Harden. When Harden is older than Holiday. That’s your words. You have learned more ball thru my posts than you will learn in your lifetime. Set market ???? Now you read the Wall Street Journal. We ballers here. Not children who throw tantrums over spouting nonsense.
They just got Bogdanovic for nothing. How’s that for a market. Holiday is one of best 2way guards in NBA. But HTF would you know that. It might be a little high but worth it for them. Their picks are not high picks. And they gave up a 35 old backup. And a guard who did not fit their chemistry. So really it was only picks they gave up. How’s that for analysis. Swallow that unlike the childish rants you got.
Consider Lakers gave up for AD, yes best stretch 4 in gm. But really the guy Bron wanted. And really the guy who fit him best. CHEMISTRY. Teams are willing to pay for results. Not childish rants. I post truths based on results. And Ai will explain it to you. Since you need explanations . I guess you think LA did good since it’s your team right child.
Swallow this …..
2019 No. 4 pick
2021 pick goes to NOLA if top 8, L.A. if 9-30
2022 pick to NOLA unprotected if pick doesn’t confer
2023 swap
2024 unprotected first BUT Pels get right to defer pick to 2025
That’s what they gave up to challenge for a ring.
Zion (all star), Ingram (all star), Ball (starting PG a #1 pick yr before) Hart a starting SG, rotation player.
I’d say mortgaging your future to give Bron a chance at title or two. Is not what most teams would do. Now it payed off in a Pandemic. But the future is bleak for two yrs of success. I’m sure Lakers think it’s worth it. Well Bucks are a younger team. So picks won’t hurt. They just made significant moves to assure them of success. I’m not comparing the two moves. Just showing how teams are willing to pull the trigger. When there is a lot on the line. A Laker fan should at least be the first to appreciate that.
Swallow that and savor it lol. When Bucks are in Finals and you and the Lakers are watching. Think about how you got served today child.
Here we go, let’s keep these trades going! Love to warriors and pick swap! (Won’t happen but i can dream) Also great pickup by bucks…wondering why pelicans didn’t get/take a better offer though
i was thinking the same thing. you would have to think the hawks had a package involving some promising youngsters instead of first round picks that will most likely be late first round.
But what if a Nets-Celtics situation happens now that I think about it? Nets basically gave them Jaylen Brown and Jason Taytum, thinking the trade would help win. What if jrue doesnt deliver and the team ends up doing poorly? Im just thinking rethinking the possibilities now
My point being maybe the pelicans did make a good trade choice
Wait didnt see the amount of picks involved at first. That might comeback to bite the Bucks
Only if Giannis leaves, and if that happens they will likely be in rebuild mode for a decade or so anyway even with the firsts. All it does is take away a couple of late picks or just means they have to acquire firsts at a later time by taking on salary.
Yeah but if Giannis leaves they would become a bottom 5 team probably so with the lottery picks they can start rebuilding quicker but without them that will push back their rebuilding process a bit. Picks given away for salary dumps are usually not lottery picks. But i guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens. I personally hope he doesnt leave though, even if he’s in my cavs central division lol
True, but you can’t have it all. I’d rather them go ahead under the assumption that Giannis stays rather than trying to hedge their bets and end up driving him away just so they can keep their 2024 pick.
If Giannis leaves they will be headed to Seattle.
3 firsts and 2 other pick swaps in addition to Bledsoe and Hill for Jrue, who can decline his player option and walk after this year. If Giannis also walks then some of those picks could be huge
Stop it! Just stop it! There is no world in which Jrue declines next years $27MM! So MIL has Jrue for 2 years as a matter of fact!
BTW getting rid of Hill, probably the worst NBA player there is makes the trade, but getting Jrue makes them better for sure!
16.9 PER and 1.6 VORP, plus led the league in 3-point percentage. That sure sounds like the worst player in the league to me
Three firsts is a lot to give up for potentially one year of Holiday.
He will probably opt out in 2021, just like AD did this year, but like Davis he will likely sign an extension of some sort.
You do remember who first said. They should get Holiday right. Yeah ….
Harden is up next, sorry to say.
Looks like Horst and the Bucks ownership consider acquiring Holiday as crucial to their chances of keeping Giannis as the Clippers believed acquiring George was to ensuring Kawhi would join them and not the Lakers last offseason.
Wowwwww 3 firsts plus Bledsloe and Hill that’s crazy.
I mean that defence will be really solid, Holiday Middleton Giannas and BLopez but dam.
Holiday ain’t even signed long term, neither is Giannas.
Does this even make the bucks better? Bledsloe was solid defensively last year and George Hill was like the league best 3 point shooter and sixth man of the year candidate. Bledsloe is a two time all defensive team player 2018 and 2019.
I think this is a terrible deal for them and for the Pelicans the players aren’t really desirable but three first is solid. Who knows flip Bledsloe for another pick, or flip Hill to another pick or both..
Hill ain’t worth even a 2nd round pick, actually NOP would have to add one right there!
Holiday is an amazing pickup but 3 picks and two swaps is really steep. If they lose Giannis and/or Jrue they’ll be screwed for a rebuild
Nice trade for the BUCKS ……… losing Hill stings a bit though, just because of his 3pt% accuracy.
Those draft picks might be something, given that Griffin took on Bledsoe.
Bucks GM is immature
Last year he trades Brogdon for 22th pick this year
Brogdon has much more value than Holiday
Suspect the Bucks want that one back. They basically traded Brogdon on his current contract, Hill on his, Bledsoe on his, plus three first rounders and swaps, for one year of Holiday and the pick they got for Brogdon
On what planet is Malcolm Brogdon better than Jrue Holiday?
Earth.
I am with hiflew… any planet in the Universe Brogdon is better!
Lmao call me back/send me a subspace transmission when Brogdon makes an All-Defense or All-Star team, stays healthy for entire season, and gets his 3P% back about 33%
Immature? Brogden wanted out of Milwaukee, not because he thought the tram was bad, because he thought is was too segregated. Getting anything for him was sheer genius.
Brogdon was restricted and had no choice. Was he really not going to play for $20+mm/year when everyone says he is a high character player? I prefer Holiday too, but they already missed one year where he might have got them to the Finals. Plus it’s not a huge improvement for next year, and because Giannis could leave they ended up being forced to pay for Jrue like he was a top 10 player, all because the Bucks were too cheap to pay up for Brogdon when they had the chance.
For as informed as you like to pretend you are, how are you not aware Brogdon hated Milwaukee and was willing to do anything to get out of town?
And his value was diminished by the FACT he couldn’t (didnt in his first year with Indiana either) stay healthy.
This. Thank you.
Made it to the All-Star & lead the league in assists in the playoffs… not to bad if you ask me, right?
Except Brogdon did NEITHER of those two things
Wow. This could be all-time terrible for the Bucks. Bledsoe for Holiday is a push on defense. Holiday is a more flexible, better offensive player, but he is a third option for the Bucks and not a knockdown shooter. Hill isn’t anything great, but is a better depth piece than anyone the Bucks are going to find in free agency.
So, to sum up, they are a little better in crunch time in the playoffs because Holiday is better than Bledsoe. But they might be worse in the regular season because of depth and they are screwed altogether if Holiday gets hurt because of the lack of depth. And for that they gave up picks like Holiday is PG? Those could be some damn good picks if Giannis leaves.
For NO, they might be better next year for reasons above even ignoring the picks. Yikes.
Who was the “knockdown” shooter they gave up. Bledsoe? Who cares about the regular season. They have been the best regular season team two years running. What has it for them? Bledsoe has KILLED them in the playoffs. Can’t shoot, inability to take over a game, and don’t forget being called “Drew Bledsoe” getting in his head and making him useless against the Celtics last year. I wish they were able to keep Hill, they may miss his veteran leadership. 3
NBA picks? Who cares.
Holiday is the best fit the Bucks could of got. Plus he’s never won so will be hungry. He’s at his peak yrs. So it means contending next 4-5 yrs. The price is a little high. ButBucks are young team and picks will be bottom of rd. Hill will be missed. It’s not overpaying bro. It’s high but that’s what you do when you go for rings. Yes plural. It’s an excellent move.
Well said, Bucks Fan!
If you give away future first round picks like candy you are crazy
Giannis will re-sign and then the picks don’t mean anything.
Good teams do that all the time. Picks from 26-30 are rarely made by the original team. And even when they are, they are usually a draft and stash player.
If Giannis stays the picks aren’t valuable. If he leaves to go to the Mavs then NOLA will have made a great trade.
bucks let go of brogdon and now they’re replacing him with jrue holiday. i hope the bucks make it right this time.
Mike Woodson
If I were a Bucks owner I will fire GM tonight
Assumption is that Giannis leaves
Thankfully you’re not the Bucks’ owner. And what is your continuing obsession with bashing the GM? Did he break up with your sister?
Firing Horst would guarentee Giannis leaves just as quickly as any other mistake the frachise could make rn.
Holiday was a great player 2 years ago
He was an average player with great stats last year
Wait a minute, 3-first round picks ?! Plus 2 swaps ?!
What the hell were the BUCKS smoking ?!
What a nice haul for the PELICANS.
I like Jrue Holiday a lot, but my first impression is that the Bucks gave up WAY too much.
I just watched KOT4Qs video on this and 3 first and two pick swaps could come out to be a massive finesse by David Griffin… but the bucks are all in
giannis doesnt have to sign super max. he can wait and sign it next offseason. why sign now? jrue could be like F this and leave after the season. then you lose jrue and 3 future first…
I don’t think Jrue was worth all that. At least he does well in the playoffs. High on/off.
They did get rid of burnout Hill.
If Giannis leaves, who cares? If they can’t win a championship with him, just move the team. He’s a once in a century guy for a market like Milwaukee
This is the only comment that makes sense. Horst has to swing for it. Why wouldn’t he? Giannis may leave if they don’t. He’s a generational player in Milwaukee, of all places. Do what you can to win while you have him. Because ultimately, even if they do win it all while Giannis is there, what does that guarantee? It’s not a great NBA market. Chances are good Giannis will leave. History—especially recent history—and the nature of the league today indicate he will.
Or at least where the good bet lies.
Is Giannis the Duncan of MIlwaukee? That is the hope of all Bucks fans.
I’m a 35 year old life long Bucks fan. I’ve only enjoyed 3 really good seasons in my basketball-conscious life. The point of all this is to win a championship, and the Bucks will have the best chance to win one in my lifetime next season. If they swing and miss, so be it. At least they took a swing while they have a generational talent.
Also real quick, Jrue is a massive upgrade on Bledsoe. Bled hurt this team in the playoffs. The mediocre numbers don’t even show you how he looked completely psyched out by the moment., to the point that I feel bad for him.
@lepmehwg. I feel ya. It’s all about championships. If Jrue is the difference in getting to the finals then great trade. BTW I’m a Laker season ticket holder. My wife’s fav is Giannis.
Yikes. Jrue is a good player but that is a haul for potentially one year.
It’s a good deal if GA re-signs as a result. Otherwise, it looks like an overpay, but I’d have to see the protection on the picks. Because this year’s pick is included, and 2021 is owed to Cleveland, the deal can’t be finalized until after the draft. Meaning the second and third picks can be anywhere from 2023 to 2027. It’s certainly a good trade for the Pels. Even taking on Hill’s contract, which I think was a mistake.
PeliCans. Big, big doings. Pappy likey! Next stop a defensive center. Then we’re cookin cajun style. Bam!
IMO the coach is the one who blew it last yr. He better have learned. Or this is for what ??
Bucks gave up a lot. But their picks are not going to be high. So that played into trade. Pels can flip Bledsoe. Ball has to be the PG now. Hill a solid vet can back him up. NO has good young talent. Now plenty of assets. Future looks good. Bucks had to do something. Holiday is a great pickup. Plus he’s never been far in playoffs. This should be a hungry Bucks team. A team with best record in East last yr. The price Might be a little high. But it’s worth it. I salute them. Love this game. Get ready for the Draft Y’all .
The article says that they traded holiday to get guys that better fit their young core’s timeline. …. lol no. George Hill and Eric Bledsoe are both older than Jrue Holiday… now if you want to talk about picks, you have a case, but late first rounders don’t usually turn out to be more than rotation players and fringe starters… Jimmy butler is a rarity
big fan of Holiday, but this is a lot of assets for a potential marginal upgrade, if that, and for 1 year…pair that with the deal for Bogdanovic, and its very questionable for them…You could argue they didnt get better
Wow. Bucks got super loaded. Only Bledsoe & Hill with 3 picks for Holiday? And a sign and trade for young Bobi for Divicenzo,Ilyasova & D J Wilson??? Bucks can fill out the depth with minimum deals( Patrick Patterson), mid level deal (Myers Leonard), Mudiay, Belineli.
Can’t believe fans think that Jrue can opt out… Who on this glorious earth would pay more than $27MM/year for him? come on guys wake up! He is there for 2 years as 1 is impossible, unless he likes to lose $millions as a hobby, right?
Now that’s a shocker
Don’t know for sure, obviously, but this has a feel of a GM knowing he likely won’t be around in 2022 (and certainly not in 2025-27) if the team doesn’t keep GA and/or win a championship this year with him. So, WTH.
Delusional stand like al said harden would be traded for less than this lol, goodluck with that. If harden gets delt 5 picks plus young players.
I’ve never said that. Who are you Sunami Eric Trump.
People here know where I stand. Most honest poster you will ever meet. Stop with the BS
I’m here to school you child. It’s my new mission
Hornets don’t get better with Holiday
Bledsoe + Hill = Holiday
Holiday will continue to decline
So Cleveland gets a second to lift the protection on the pick they are owed?
In essence they are getting a second round pick to make their first round pick potentially better?
In essence, yeah. They were in position to ask for something from Milwaukee since they were essentially doing the Bucks a favor by freeing up those later picks to be dealt. Worked out well for Cleveland.
Can’t get something for nothing.
Bledsoe did not play well in playoffs. He was exposed. Hill a good vet backup is 34. Three picks that will be in bottom if rd. Plus Bucks are still on the young side. Their MVP is 25.
Holiday is one of best 2way players in NBA. He’s never won. He’s a scoring PG who shares the ball. He is a big upgrade on this team. He is at peak of his career. He’s and upgrade as a PG, scorer, shooter, defender. And team chemistry. Bucks won more gms than anyone last two yrs. They will be contenders for next 5 yrs. So picks will be at end of 1st rd. So what are those three picks.
This yr 24th pick. Next yr 29 or 30 pick. Year after same. Point is they are not high picks. Bucks can buy higher 1st rd picks. You guys do know that right. Price is a little high. Not when it’s they you want. It’s a very good move. Look at the whole picture. The WHOLE picture.
Bucks picked up bogdanovic and holiday.. in the process they’ve wiped out their debt and more than likely will be hard capped.. gone, korver, Robin Lopez, Bledsoe, Mathews, illasilva, hill, and davicci.. replaced by holiday and bogdanovic.. don’t know if that’s an upgrade when you have zero depth or bench.. they were top rated defense and one of top offenses.. they just got owned by a heat team that owned them in regular season.. don’t think they are better..
This makes no sense coming from a fan of a team who gave up far, far more to acquire AD and had zero depth post-trade, and was never a deep team at all during the regular season.
I also can tell you don’t watch the Bucks if you don’t think Holiday is a massive upgrade over Bledsoe, who is a prime reason they lost in the postseason each of the last three seasons.
Those first rounders are going to be late round picks, that’s why it took so many of them.