Lillard is obviously not the right person, and Antetokounmpo s partner with Curry is not bad either

The Bucks have been in the first round this season, kicked out of the Pacers 1-4, and kneeled for three consecutive years. What's even worse is that Lillard made a "click" when saving the ball in G4 - the Achilles tendon broke. The veteran is about to turn 35 years old and can recuperate next season. He will probably have to wait until April 2026 to return. He is 36 years old at that time and still has to hold a super maximum salary contract of more than 110 million yuan in two years. The Bucks are in a dilemma now. Antetokounmpo wants to run away. The Rockets, Spurs and Raptors are all eyeing them, but the team's first round pick in the next seven years has been broken, and they are not qualified to even play badly.

What's even more heartbreaking is that Lillard, the "god" cannot be sent away at all - the opponent on the defensive end is targeting the weak ring, and the offensive end cannot achieve 1+1>2 with Antetokounmpo. After being seriously injured, he almost couldn't even play the trick of "hitting porcelain and creating a foul". When the Bucks broke up the championship lineup and replaced him, they have now become the league's number one sucker. I don't know if the management will be upset.

The combination of Antetokounmpo and Lillard has been unable to produce a good chemical reaction for a long time?

This is related to the two's playing style. Antetokounmpo is more used to "eating cakes with an empty pick-and-roll" after the pick-and-roll, but Lillard likes to play singles and "super long three-pointers"; the pick-and-roll is needed to feed the cake master, Lillard is half a beat slow to get the ball and is afraid of double-teaming. The two have played pick-and-roll tactics for two years, but they have not made any sparks. What's the result? Lillard averaged 7 points per game and shot 22% from the first three games of the playoffs this season. Antetokounmpo was struggling to hit a short forward, and there was a reason for losing to the Pacers. Holiday, who was sent away by Lillard in exchange for Lillard, received a high salary and a championship ring in the Celtics last year, and was also a big winner in life.

Lillard was diagnosed with a thrombosis in his right leg this season. After his forced comeback, his Achilles tendon was reimbursed. At the age of 35, he tore his Achilles tendon, and even if he returns, he is likely to deteriorate. His contract has 110 million yuan left for two years, accounting for a considerable proportion of the team's salary space. The Bucks' salary chart is still lying on their salary chart, Kuzma (21.48 million) and Daluo (retired level movement speed) may also leave the team. Want to strengthen? The rich man's line lock operation, with only two first round picks left before 2031, and it is almost impossible to crack the dead end.

The Bucks won the championship in 2021 by iron-blooded defense, relying on the defensive system built by Holiday + Tucker + double towers. As a result, the management was crazy and insisted on transforming the team into a "offensive kaleidoscope". Lillard lost the defensive core and signed Kuzma to lose the thickness of his wing, and finally lost all offense and defense; this season's defensive efficiency in the league was 15th, and he was beaten by the Pacers as a training match, and there was no room for counterattack. Antetokounmpo and Lillard had average net efficiency on the spot, which was called a "reverse king combination"; there was not much private communication, and the cooperation between the two was always so awkward.

Perhaps, there is only one way left for the Bucks, that is, trade Antetokounmpo to stop loss immediately. Use him to exchange for young assets + first-round picks (especially after 2030), and beg the Pelicans/Trail Blazers to "redeem" the picks; as for Lillard? Rescue until the contract is over and persuaded to leave - serious Achilles tendon injury + 36 years old, transformation without the ball or defense is a fantasy.

Antesco obviously chose the wrong partner before. Lillard is not Curry, and his ability to play without the ball, and his defense are not at the same level. You have to be able to run without the ball, don’t look for a singles king who “don’t leave the ball”, otherwise the same embarrassing cooperation picture will be.

debuted from the 15th pick in the first round, Antetokounmpo in the league grew up step by step to become a top superstar in the league with an offense and defense, and even brought the Bucks a championship. It can be said that he no longer owes anything in the city, and it is reasonable to really choose to leave during the offseason. At the age of 30, he has top honors such as the first team in the league, the best defensive player award, MVP, and FMVP. Now he has to consider how to maximize his value.

This naturally includes the value of the court and commercial value. The choice of the new owner should also be to maximize personal interests. Not only should there be a chance to continue to compete for the championship, but it can also increase the commercial value. This will make it more meaningful to leave the Bucks.

With Antetokounmpo's current appeal in the league, as the NBA's Xiao Wang, as long as he calls on any team, I believe that the corresponding team boss will agree without hesitation. After all, the value he brings is comparable to James at his peak in the past.

Here, the author has an idea that may be immature. Since we want to maximize personal value, we must be the big market, secondly, we must become the leading star of this team, and thirdly, we still have the opportunity to continue to strive for the championship. Considering this way, partnering with Curry at the end of his peak is a better strategy.

Curry not only can hold the ball and maximize Antetokounmpo's impact threat, but also can reverse anti-tamping without the ball, allowing Antetokounmpo to attack the penalty area without scrupulously. Both of them have historically-level offensive deterrent power, one inside and one outside, the offensive ceiling is too high. But that means that Butler and Green may have to send them away. I wonder if the Warriors fans will be happy? But this potential transaction is in line with business logic and can give the boss the greatest benefits. Why not do it?