The Milwaukee Bucks could resort to trading their franchise cornerstone, Giannis Antetokounmpo, in an attempt to enter a rebuild.

The team is off to a 1-6 start, dropping six straight games. Time is ticking on a potential Antetokounmpo trade request, and it seems the Bucks will have to figure out their challenges without injured star Khris Middleton for the foreseeable future.

The Miami Heat could offer the Bucks an opportunity to retool their roster with young talent rather than a full rebuild. Bucks coach Doc Rivers is unlikely to be willing to sit through a rebuild at this stage of his coaching career.

Bucks receive: Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Kevin Love, Haywood Highsmith, 2029 and 2031 first-round picks

Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Saenz noted that the Heat only have two tradable first-round picks, but “If they truly wanted to blow the Bucks away with an offer, they could include [Jaime Jaquez Jr.].”

The only way an Antetokounmpo trade doesn’t include more picks is if Antetokounmpo weakens the market by naming which franchises interest him. This strategy would not be ideal for the Milwaukee front office, if they want to maximize their return in a potential deal.

Antetokounmpo potentially being moved for two first-round picks when, this offseason, the New York Knicks traded five for Mikal Bridges, who has never made an All-Star team, would be quite baffling.

Miami agrees to this deal in order to maximize their championship window with Jimmy Butler.

A core of Butler, Antetokounmpo, and Tyler Herro would cause problems in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee does this deal if Antetokounmpo asks out, and they are forced into a rebuild. The 2029 and 2031 first-round picks would be valuable assets moving forward while Highsmith would provide some wing depth sans Middleton. Adebayo would become their foundational piece, while Ware further develops into a rim-running, rim-protecting five. Kevin Love is only involved due to salary matching purposes.