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The Bucks are sending a clear message around the league: they’re buying. But limited assets and apron pressure mean realistic options matter more than splashy ones.Jerami Grant has emerged as a name to watch as Milwaukee searches for help that fits their roster and their budget.
The Milwaukee Bucks are signaling urgency ahead of the NBA trade deadline, and Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant has once again emerged as a name to monitor.
According to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, Milwaukee has sent a clear message around the league that it intends to be buyers. That stance remains firm even as Giannis Antetokounmpo stays sidelined with no definitive return timetable. The objective is straightforward: add help now and preserve belief internally that a postseason run remains realistic in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
“After repeatedly telling teams that Antetokounmpo is not available and that it is not interested in fielding trade offers for him, now Milwaukee is messaging that it wants to be buyers at this deadline to try to get Giannis more help,” Fischer wrote. “Even with no clear return-from-injury timetable yet in place for Antetokounmpo, Jon Horst’s front office continues to hold onto hope that assembling a puncher’s chance contender remains viable.”
One rival executive Fischer spoke with was even more direct.
“They’re going big-game hunting,” the general manager said.
Why Jerami Grant Is Back on Milwaukee’s Radar
Under that premise, Jerami Grant has resurfaced as a logical, if imperfect, target. Grant’s name has circulated in Milwaukee circles for years, and league sources indicate that interest has not faded.
“Another player who has been on Milwaukee’s radar under the same premise, both this season and in previous years, is Trail Blazers swingman Jerami Grant,” Fischer reported.
Grant, now 31, has two seasons remaining on his deal after this year. He also holds a $36.4 million player option for the 2026-27 season. That contract structure explains why Portland suddenly holds leverage.
The Blazers already control Milwaukee’s first-round picks in 2028, 2029, and 2030 as part of the Damian Lillard trade. That reality strips the Bucks of traditional draft flexibility and forces them toward salary-based solutions instead.
In the short term, Portland’s willingness to engage remains uncertain. Grant has become a favorite of Blazers general manager Joe Cronin, and the franchise continues to prioritize patience in its rebuild. Still, Milwaukee’s urgency could force difficult conversations.
The Financial Logic Behind a Grant Deal
NBA salary cap analyst Yossi Gozlan recently outlined a workable framework on the Third Apron Podcast. His proposal sends Grant to Milwaukee in exchange for Kyle Kuzma and two second-round picks, with the Bucks adding a minimum contract to make the salaries work.
For Portland, the appeal centers on finances rather than on-court value. Kuzma has one fewer year remaining on his deal and costs roughly $12 million less per season than Grant over the next two years. That flexibility aligns with Portland’s long-term planning. With the emergence of players like Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe, the idea is to keep the runway clear for them to continue their development while creating financial flexibility to build around them in the future. ,
On the floor, Kuzma would likely slide into a similar sixth-man role. He could provide scoring bursts without altering the Blazers’ developmental priorities. While the move could hurt their short-term play-in chances, Portland has already shown a willingness to sacrifice wins for clarity.
Milwaukee’s Risk-Reward Equation
Grant’s recent resurgence complicates the evaluation. Last season, he struggled badly, appearing in just 47 games and averaging 14.4 points on 37.3 percent shooting. At the time, his contract looked nearly immovable.
This year, Grant has flipped that narrative. He is averaging 20.0 points per game while shooting nearly 44 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from three, and 86.6 percent from the line. His 60.7 true shooting percentage also marks a career high and has helped Portland stay competitive amid backcourt injuries.
Still, Milwaukee must weigh production against cost. Grant earns $32 million this season and $70.6 million over the next two years. For a team navigating apron restrictions, that commitment carries real risk.
The equation remains simple. A Grant trade only makes sense if it costs no first-round picks and avoids moving young guards like Ryan Rollins or Kevin Porter Jr. A package built around Kyle Kuzma and possibly Bobby Portis, likely represents the ceiling of Milwaukee’s tolerance.
That urgency stems from recent miscalculations. The Bucks moved franchise cornerstone Khris Middleton in hopes that Kuzma would provide athleticism and secondary scoring. Instead, Kuzma has averaged just 13.5 points and shot 32.9 percent from three.
Grant would be a clear upgrade. Whether he represents the right upgrade or merely the most attainable one may define Milwaukee’s deadline.
Jalon Dixon Jalon Dixon is a multi-platform sports journalist and content creator specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage. He blends writing, podcasting, and video analysis to deliver accessible, in-depth perspectives on basketball and beyond. More about Jalon Dixon
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