The Milwaukee Bucks have a well-known problem, and it is ultimately to keep the face of the franchise, Giannis Antetokounmpo, happy and wanting to remain where he is. The perfect way to settle this issue, as proposed by Danny Green, a former NBA champion, is for the Bucks to trade for Kawhi Leonard in the summer, who is out of place with the LA Clippers, and build around a superstar duo.
"[Giannis] is very calculated in what he's saying. ... If you can get a player like Kawhi, or someone similar to that, that can keep Giannis home."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 16, 2026
—@DGreen_14 on how the Bucks can keep Giannis Antetokounmpo 👀 pic.twitter.com/qTTMZkN66q
Furthermore, adding a 34-year-old coming off the best offensive season of his career, averaging 27.9 points, shooting 49.1% from the field, 38.3% from beyond the arc, and 91.2% from the charity stripe, with an uncertain future in LA following a gear shift towards youth, is bound to have Antetokounmpo smiling ear to ear.
Thus, the Bucks should be calling the Clippers nonstop to meet Antetokounmpo’s desires. His wish is their command as Milwaukee aims to avoid reaching a point where the nine-time All-Star is adamant about wanting out.
The Clippers could progress with their rebuild if Leonard goes to Milwaukee
The key factor in the Milwaukee Bucks' targeting Kawhi Leonard is that they are desperate. Milwaukee is willing to do anything, and if Leonard is one of the only accessible superstars on the block, the LA Clippers will eventually realize how much leverage they have in the situation.
Therefore, the asking price on Leonard, particularly from the Bucks, will be several first-round picks and a rising, young star. This is fair, considering the past, present, and, most importantly, the future, as the two-time champion has shown minimal signs of a decline.
The Bucks have the picks, fulfilling step one, and the youngster, Ryan Rollins, LA will be looking to add next to Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin. He is a 23-year-old who has posted a remarkable season thus far.
In 51 games, Rollins has averaged 16.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds, on a field-goal percentage of 46.3% and three-point percentage of 40.7%.
Rightfully so, the Clippers may not move forward with any talks on Leonard unless the Bucks’ guard that just broke out is in the conversation.
That said, Danny Green provided the Bucks with an easy solution, and it is on them to take advantage of it. They know how capable Leonard is, and in retrospect, Milwaukee would be benefiting in two ways through a trade: Antetokounmpo staying and the roster jumping back into title contention.