Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Bucks 2023-24 Trade Tiers: From Untouchable To Available
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Pat Connaughton #24 and Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee … [+]
The Milwaukee Bucks are stuck in between a rock and a hard place entering the NBA’s trade deadline on February 8th.
The team is undergoing a significant transformation, having dismissed head coach Adrian Griffin midway through the season and bringing in Doc Rivers as his replacement. Rivers is working to implement his system swiftly, a challenging task given the team’s limitations, especially on the defensive end.
Additionally, executing a trade at the deadline poses another challenge. With a plethora of buyers this year, market demands are high, and the Bucks find themselves with limited assets — only two available second-round picks — making it challenging to meet the steep asking prices set by potential sellers.
Having delved into potential trade targets for the Bucks, it’s now worth categorizing their roster into tiers based on who might be on the trading block.
Not In A Million Years
Giannis Antetokounmpo
No way, Jose.
Blow Me Away
Damian Lillard
I debated putting him in the first category, but I think there’s a world where Milwaukee would strike a deal if they were blown away. They would never initiate the conversation nor admit to listening, but there has to be a part of them wondering whether they made the right trade for Damian Lillard last summer. There’s plenty of time to right the ship and a long history stating he’ll get back on track offensively, so there’s very little motivation to do so.
(Very) Quietly Listening
Khris Middleton
Brook Lopez
I had these two in the “Blow Me Away” category a year ago, but they’ve dropped a tier this season.
Middleton is having a good season and was impressive during their (very short) postseason run last year. He still has what it takes on the offensive end and is a very nice third option behind Antetokounmpo and Lillard. However, there are a plethora of questions about his mobility and defensive chops at this stage in his career.
Brook Lopez has unfairly received a lot of criticism from fans about his defensive play this season. The Bucks’ paint issues on that end of the court have way more to do with their perimeter defenders than Lopez. However, we can’t deny his lack of athleticism limits Milwaukee’s defensive schemes they can implement. Milwaukee wouldn’t actively shop either of these guys, but they would listen if their names came up in a deal.
Need Convincing
Andre Jackson Jr.
Malik Beasley
The Bucks aren’t going to actively dangle Andre Jackson Jr. or Malik Beasley in a deal, likely preferring to keep them on the roster. However, they won’t shut down a trade just because one of their names comes up. It would be a slight shock to see them involved in a trade before the deadline, but not a complete surprise.
Trade Bait
Bobby Portis
Pat Connaughton
MarJon Beauchamp
Cameron Payne
Given the Bucks’ limited cupboard of draft picks, they hope they can convince a team to take on one or more of the players in this tier.
Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton were staples of the Bucks’ championship teams, but it may be time to move on. Both players are liabilities on defense—Portis has always struggled on that end, and Connaughton has lost a step this season. Their salaries also match nicely for many of the targets the Bucks set their sights on.
Beauchamp could be a pot-sweetener as a former first-round pick. He’s given fans little to get excited about in Milwaukee besides being young and selected with the 24th overall pick. Maybe another team sees him differently.
Available, But Unwanted
Chris Livingston
Robin Lopez
A.J. Green
Jae Crowder
The Bucks wouldn’t have any issues throwing Livingston, Lopez or Green into a deal if that’s what it takes to get it done. They are buried on the bench for reasons and it will take a lot for them to play any role in Milwaukee in the short or long term.
Jae Crowder may seem like the black sheep of this group, but it took the Phoenix Suns six months to trade him a year ago, and it’s even more apparent now that Father Time is knocking on his doorstep. He’s no longer the premiere wing-stopper he built his reputation around. Milwaukee would prefer to hold on to him, but he’s certainly available.
Hard Sell
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Thanasis convinced Giannis to sign his extension this time around. What other reason do the Bucks need to keep him?
Suspected Milwaukee drunken driver drives into sheriff deputy, footage shows
A 21-year-old, accused of drunken driving the wrong way on Interstate 43 and crashing into a Milwaukee sheriff’s deputy on January 1, was charged with second-degree reckless endangering safety and a driving while under the influence, second offense.
Provided by Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office
A 22-year-old pregnant Milwaukee woman was found dead in a house fire that was intentionally set, leaving behind a 3-year-old daughter.
The family of Gladys Johnson is heartbroken at their loss. Her death occurred 33 years almost to the day that her brothers died in a fire.
Gladys Johnson was discovered by her mother, Michelle Johnson, following a fire at their residence in the 2800 block of North 26th Street on Jan. 5.
The Milwaukee Police Department said a 21-year-old man has been arrested for arson. Police said the man intentionally brandished a firearm and then started a house on fire.
The man who was arrested is the father of Johnson’s daughter and unborn child, according to Josie Johnson-Smith, Gladys Johnson’s aunt.
Police said Gladys Johnson’s cause of death is officially undetermined and under investigation, but the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide.
“He took my niece’s life,” Johnson-Smith said. “He threatened to kill her before. That’s why she ended up back with her mom.”
The Journal Sentinel does not typically name suspects unless they’ve been formally charged with a crime.
Gladys Johnson was five months pregnant with a baby boy, according to Johnson-Smith. “She was so happy, teaching her daughter that she was going to be a big sister,” Johnson-Smith said.
Fire-related death reopens old wounds
Gladys Johnson’s death reopens old wounds for her mother, who lost two sons in a bar fire in Milwaukee in 1992.
Milwaukee Journal reporting from the time recalls Terrance Bizzle-Johnson, 4, and Antonio Bizzle-Johnson, 2, being found dead on New Year’s Eve 1992 from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a family tavern on the north side of the city.
The Journal’s article details a harrowing rescue attempt by family members, including by Josie Johnson-Smith and Michelle Johnson.
Gladys Johnson was the ‘light in our family’
Gladys Johnson was named after her late grandmother.
“She was the most loving person you ever wanted to meet,” Johnson-Smith said. “Her spirit was a light. If you were in a bad mood, she would cheer you up. She was the light in our family.
“Her daughter is 3 years old and can talk, spell, and say her ABCs. She was a good mom.
“We’re just so devastated right now. He’s seemed like a nice man. So many young women have passed away with domestic situations and it’s just overwhelming.
“The only thing I’d ask the community, to the young women out there that are going through situations similar to my niece, speak out. Don’t be ashamed. You have to tell somebody.”
Gladys’ Johnson’s family started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.
Where to find help for domestic violence
Victim advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800-656-4673.
- End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.
- Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault has a statewide directory of resources at wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers.
- The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.
- The Milwaukee Women’s Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140.
- We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.
- Kids Matter Inc. provides free legal services and specialized assistance to individuals caring for children impacted by domestic violence and homicide. Kids Matter can be reached at 414-344-1220 and offers free online resources at kidsmatterinc.org.
Take flight over the Milwaukee area
Get a bird’s-eye view from a drone over downtown Milwaukee, American Family Field, the Mitchell Domes, and along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Former Milwaukee Common Council member Don Richards died on Dec. 26 at age 89.
Richards served on the Milwaukee Common Council between 1988 and 2004, representing District 9 on the city’s north and northwest sides until his retirement due to health reasons, according to his obituary.
During his tenure at the city, Richards was a member of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, as well as the Housing Authority and City Records Committee.
Although the two had a brief overlap in city government, former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was first elected in 2004, recalled Richards as “always smiling and always caring.”
“He was a wonderful man. A very Christian man who cared deeply about the community and the people who live here,” Barrett told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Before becoming a city alderman, Richards participated in the citywide marches protesting a lack of open housing legislation in the city in the 1960s and was a priest in the Milwaukee Archdiocese for almost two decades, starting in 1963. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the St. Francis Seminary and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
Following his time on the Common Council, Richards began to teach local government classes at Alverno College. He also worked as an economic development specialist with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, his obituary said.
Richards is survived by his brother, Bob (Joanne), and was preceded in death by his wife, Doloros; his parents, Gregor and Rose Richards; and his brothers, Jim Richards and Ed Richards, according to his obit.
A visitation is planned at 10 a.m. Jan 8 until his funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Alvina of Milwaukee Chapel, 9301 N. 76th Street.
Milwaukee, WI
Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout
MILWAUKEE — A police chase that began in West Milwaukee on Sunday morning ended in a fiery crash on Milwaukee’s south side, killing 18-year-old Izack Zavala.
The Medical Examiner’s Office identified Zavala as the passenger who died in the one-car crash at 37th and Mitchell streets. His family said he was a 2025 Milwaukee Public Schools Alexander Hamilton High School graduate who loved soccer and would do anything to help his loved ones.
Provided by family
The West Milwaukee Police Department said officers attempted to pull over the driver for a traffic violation near Miller Park Way and Lincoln Avenue, but the driver fled and crossed into Milwaukee.
TMJ4
About a mile later, police say the fleeing driver hit a roundabout, lost control, and crashed into a tree, ejecting both the driver and passenger.
“If they were trying to avoid one of those, and with the weather being cold and slick, and you hit a patch of ice, and you’re gone. You’re done,” Barbie, who witnessed the aftermath, said.
The loud crash woke up neighbors like Barbie in the middle of the night.
Watch: Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout
Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout
“Like thunder struck the building. The entire building shook. It was insane,” Barbie said.
TMJ4
Looking out her kitchen window, Barbie saw the devastating scene unfold.
“The whole thing just lit up like a torch,” she said.
Steven Huppenbauer
A day after the flames were extinguished, crash debris still surrounded the tree and Barbie’s backyard.
“The car was right there in the center,” she said.
Zavala’s family said his cousin was driving the vehicle. The 19-year-old driver was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Barbie, who has witnessed crashes before, said seeing this one up close was different.
“I’ve seen plenty of crashes, had people that I care about die in crashes, but to see it up close is something different. I feel bad for the kid’s family,” she said.
The witness hopes the tragedy serves as a warning to others who might consider fleeing police.
“I feel for their family, and I wish to God that that wouldn’t have happened, obviously, but there comes a point, ‘what were you doing’, you know?” Barbie said. “I just think that people need to think before they do, and that’s just not a thing anymore.”
TMJ4 asked the West Milwaukee Police Department if it plans to refer charges for the 19-year-old driver who remains seriously injured at the hospital. The department declined to comment, saying it’s still an active investigation.
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