Bucks
The Bucks remain confident that Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t going anywhere, and are turning their attention to building around the two-time MVP this offseason, a story from ESPN reiterated.
Following the February trade of Khris Middleton, Milwaukee dropped below the luxury tax threshold, giving the front office access to the $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception. The Bucks also hold the $5.1 million biannual exception, though using both may be unrealistic financially if the team also intends to re-sign veterans Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis.
Finding rotation pieces without crossing back into tax territory will be a delicate balancing act, and critical for a franchise aiming to keep its title window open.
Suns
The Suns continue to struggle finding fair value for star forward Kevin Durant, largely because there’s no true open market, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports.
Durant, who holds significant influence over his future, has made it known he’ll only sign an extension with Houston, San Antonio or Miami — a stance that has drastically limited Phoenix’s leverage. Those three teams, aware of the situation, have been measured in their offers, knowing the Suns lack a strong fallback plan.
Phoenix remains committed to keeping Devin Booker, which makes Durant their lone major trade asset. Maximizing his return will be crucial, especially as the team attempts to reshape its roster with little financial flexibility and no interest in a full rebuild.
Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are leaning toward keeping the No. 31 pick in this year’s NBA Draft rather than the 17th, according to Chris Hine of The Star-Tribune.
The 17th pick — acquired from the Knicks — carries a projected $4.2 million salary, which could complicate Minnesota’s efforts to re-sign key free agents like Naz Reid, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and potentially Julius Randle while staying under the second apron.
Team officials reportedly value the flexibility that comes with the first pick in the second round and anticipate fielding multiple trade offers between Wednesday and Thursday as the draft unfolds.
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