{"id":826,"date":"2025-03-11T11:50:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T11:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greekinter.net\/giannis\/?p=826"},"modified":"2025-03-11T11:53:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T11:53:16","slug":"would-you-trade-dame-for-trae-straight-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greekinter.net\/giannis\/2025\/03\/11\/would-you-trade-dame-for-trae-straight-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Would you trade Dame for Trae straight up?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is from a facebook group question, not including the author because he might not want me to. (This is the group if you want to join<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Evaluating whether trading Trae Young for Damian Lillard would be a good deal for the Milwaukee Bucks requires looking at several factors: the players\u2019 current performance, their fit with the team, their contracts, and the Bucks\u2019 overall goals. Let\u2019s break it down based on what we know as of March 11, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Performance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trae Young, at 26 years old, is in the prime of his career. This season (2024-25), he\u2019s averaging around 22 points and 11 assists per game, though his efficiency has dipped slightly compared to his peak years. He\u2019s a dynamic offensive player, elite at creating his own shot and setting up teammates, but his defence remains a weak point\u2014opponents often target him in pick-and-roll situations. As they do Dame of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damian Lillard, now 34, is still a high-level performer but showing signs of decline. In his second season with the Bucks, he\u2019s averaging about 25 points and 7 assists, though his efficiency from three (around 35%) is down from his Portland peak (37-39%). His playoff experience and clutch scoring are invaluable, but his defensive limitations are similar to Young\u2019s, and his age suggests a shorter window of elite play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fit with the Bucks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bucks\u2019 core revolves around Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who thrives with the ball in his hands and needs spacing around him. Lillard\u2019s off-ball shooting (even with a slight dip) complements Giannis well, as he can stretch the floor and hit deep threes, drawing defenders away from the paint. Their pick-and-roll game has also started to gel better in 2024-25 after a rocky first year together. Here my analysis of what still doesn’t click with Dame <\/a>in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trae Young, on the other hand, is more ball-dominant. His playstyle\u2014high pick-and-roll usage and creating out of dribble-heavy sets\u2014could overlap with Giannis\u2019 need to attack the basket. Young\u2019s three-point shooting (around 36-38% career) is solid but not as lethal from deep as Lillard\u2019s, which might clog the floor more for Giannis. Defensively, swapping Lillard for Young is a wash at best; neither is a stopper, and the Bucks already struggle to hide one guard defensively alongside Giannis and Brook Lopez. Would Trae be able to put aside his ego with Giannis on the floor having the ball more than him? I doubt it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contracts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lillard\u2019s contract is massive: he\u2019s owed $48.8 million this year, $54 million in 2025-26, and has a $63.2 million player option for 2026-27. That\u2019s a lot of money for a player who\u2019ll be 36 by the end of it, especially if his production continues to taper off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young\u2019s deal is more team-friendly: $43 million this year, $46 million in 2025-26, and a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27. He\u2019s eight years younger, so his contract aligns better with long-term planning, though it\u2019s still a hefty commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bucks\u2019 Goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bucks are in win-now mode with Giannis, who\u2019s 30 and under contract through 2027-28 (with a player option). After winning the title in 2021, they\u2019ve been all-in on maximizing his prime, as seen with the Lillard trade in 2023. Trading Lillard for Young could signal a slight pivot\u2014still competing now but also eyeing a longer contention window. However, Young\u2019s playoff track record (one Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021) doesn\u2019t match Lillard\u2019s veteran savvy, and the Bucks might sacrifice some immediate title equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros and Cons for the Bucks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pros of Getting Trae Young:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n