Title: Bucks Eye Ex‑Warriors Wing to Fortify Defense Beside Giannis
In a summer swirling with speculation, the Milwaukee Bucks are actively pursuing a tough, defensive-minded wing—this time reportedly targeting a former Golden State Warrior—to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo and shore up their perimeter defense.
What the Bucks Are Seeking
According to insider Shams Charania (via BasketNews), Milwaukee is searching for two types of upgrades: guard help and a “defensive wing … kind of like a prime Danny Green.” The lack of elite perimeter stoppers has been glaring, especially in playoff matchups against scoring wings (
This need intensified after trading Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard, as the team’s defensive rating slipped, exposing the weakness opposite Giannis on the wing (
️ Why Look to a Former Warrior?
1. Track record of standout defenders:
Recent buzz centers on Andrew Wiggins, a former all‑star wing renowned for his lockdown defense—most notably against Tatum, Brown, and White in the 2022 Finals—and praised for his versatility and length
2. Fit next to Giannis and Lillard:
Wiggins brings exactly the type of “switchable” defense and 3‑and‑D skill set the Bucks need. His ability to guard multiple positions and still contribute floor spacing meshes well with Milwaukee’s style
3. Warriors’ willingness to trade:
Golden State appears open to moving Wiggins—his $24M annual salary makes him a prime candidate, given his occasional offensive slumps (
What Would It Take?
Trade frameworks from February suggested Milwaukee might include Bobby Portis plus bench pieces like Pat Connaughton, MarJon Beauchamp, or draft picks, to cover Wiggins’s salary
However:
- Bucks value Portis highly, especially given his bench scoring and championship experience—it’s unlikely they’ll part ways lightly
- The team’s limited trade assets beyond Portis may constrain their ability to match Golden State’s asking price (basketnews.com).
How Wiggins Boosts Milwaukee
Defensive Upgrade
- Wiggins’ 6’7″ frame, 7’6″ wingspan, and experience defending elite wings make him ideal for tough assignments (heavy.com).
- Clips like his shutdown role in the 2022 Finals against top wings highlight his capability (heavy.com).
Offensive Value
- Although inconsistent, Wiggins can space the floor—he’s averaged ~17.7 PPG, 38.9% 3PT over past three years (behindthebuckpass.com).
- This floor-spacing would give Giannis and Lillard room to operate.
⚠️ Challenges & Risks
- Salary matching: Portis’s deal ($11.7M) can cover only half of Wiggins’s $24.3M; Milwaukee would need to add more salary or sweeten the pick package (reddit.com, reddit.com).
- Asset drain: The team has minimal draft capital. Offering picks or further players could jeopardize long-term flexibility (brewhoop.com).
- Potential regression: Wiggins’s recent offensive slump raises concern—Milwaukee must trust his defensive ceiling outweighs any downturn(
Strategic Context
- The Bucks hold a $7.2M trade exception and mid-level exceptions, giving them flexibility to absorb salary or add aftermarket pieces (
- With Giannis’s future possibly hanging in the balance—and his public stance that “they’d have to kick me out” for a trade to happen (reddit.com)—Milwaukee can’t risk stagnation .
- Doc Rivers’ arrival signals a willingness to recalibrate rather than rebuild; targeting a proven defensive wing fits that ethos .
Final Take
Milwaukee’s pursuit of a former Warrior like Andrew Wiggins is an astute response to their glaring need: a tough, switchable wing to complement Giannis on defense and sturdy enough to offer spacing on offense. Wiggins checks those boxes—but the stumbling block remains Milwaukee’s limited trade assets and their reluctance to part with key pieces like Bobby Portis.
Still, if the Bucks can sweeten a deal—perhaps by packaging bench players and picks—the payoff could be immense: an upgraded perimeter defense and a stronger commitment to maximizing Giannis’s championship window. Whether Golden State bites, or if Milwaukee is willing to gamble the assets, could define their trajectory next season.
