After Brook Lopez decided to leave the Bucks and agree to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee has been looking for a replacement at the center position for next season as they try to do as much as they can to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo.
This morning, Pacers center Myles Turner agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Bucks. While Turner becomes the new option at center for the Bucks, the possibility of signing Deandre Ayton is still on the table for Milwaukee.
Ayton could be a reliable option at the five, and Turner could play the four. If the Bucks were to add Ayton after signing Turner, the possibility of Giannis staying in Milwaukee will increase, which would make the Bucks serious contenders in the Eastern Conference.
The Portland Trail Blazers recently bought out the last year of Ayton’s $132.9 million deal. Since then, the Bucks have emerged as one of the favorites to land Ayton.
“The Bucks have emerged as a serious candidate in the DeAndre Ayton sweepstakes. Milwaukee still has the $14.1 million non-tax MLE to spend after inking team-friendly deals with Gary Trent Jr, Kevin Porter Jr, and Taurean Prince,” said NBA analyst Jake Weinbach in a series of X messages on Tuesday. "The Bucks could be preparing to make another splash."
While the Bucks are making a strong push to land Ayton, the Lakers are still the top favorite to land him.
Ayton would fit right for the Bucks, as most Milwaukee fans would prefer that he start at the five over Bobby Portis. Last season with the Trail Blazers, Ayton averaged 14.4 points per game, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists.