Milwaukee, WI
Too Many Barriers For Milwaukee Bucks To Trade For Bradley Beal
When Shams Charania first broke the news that the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat were “looming” as potential suitors for an inevitable Bradley Beal trade, I sprinted to my computer, popped it open and began running through scenarios on the trade machine.
I could understand the Heat being in the conversation; they had Tyler Herro and enough first-round picks to make the Washington Wizards think about a trade. But the Bucks? They have next to nothing in assets and only three players who would fit in the deal due to salary-matching purposes.
The trade machine quickly confirmed what I already knew and what would later be proven true: Milwaukee always had too many barriers to overcome in any potential Beal trade.
It made much more sense when Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns than a potential Bucks’ transaction. In return, Washington acquired Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, second-round picks and multiple pick swaps. The full details are still being worked, out with Paul expected to be waived or moved to a new team.
As low as it was, that was a price the Bucks couldn’t meet.
For starters, the only three players the Bucks could’ve sent away in a deal while acquiring Beal were Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday or Khris Middleton. We know Antetokounmpo is off the table. Middleton also had a player option for $40.4 million and it’s difficult to envision him accepting that, only to be sent to a rebuilding Washington team.
That left Holiday. Holiday has been a defensive stud for the Bucks since his arrival and has led the point of attack for one of the NBA’s best defenses. However, his offense has fallen off a cliff in the postseason on an annual basis. Milwaukee could be looking to shake things up, trying to triple down on their commitment to winning.
But why would Washington want Holiday? He just turned 33-years-old a week ago and doesn’t fit the bill for a rebuilding team. Sure, the Bucks could’ve searched for a third trade partner, but that gets even more complicated.
Furthermore, Milwaukee would’ve had to attach assets in addition to shipping out Holiday. Their only assets are 22-year-old MarJon Beauchamp, the 58th pick in this year’s draft, two other second-rounders, and a 2029 first-round selection. That’s a bare cupboard.
Beal also had a decisive say in where he ended up. He has the NBA’s only no-trade clause, allowing him to dictate who he gets traded to and how much the team gives up. He could theoretically veto a deal that strips his new team of assets and the ability to win. He reportedly picked the Suns over a trade offer from the Bucks and others.
His salary was another significant question mark. He’s entering the second year of a five-year, $251 million contract that sees him get paid $46.7 million in 2023-24. That number escalates in each of the next four seasons until he has a $57.1 million player option in 2026-27. He has the sixth-highest salary for next season.
Milwaukee is already paying Antetokounmpo $45.6 million next year. The new CBA makes it extremely difficult for teams to operate in the second apron, limiting the assets they can use and even the trades they can make in the future. It would’ve more or less locked them into their current iteration of this team (minus any other trades).
It’s great to see Horst continue to explore every avenue to upgrade the Bucks’ roster. He took a gamble in acquiring Holiday, shipping out Eric Bledsoe and a boatload of first-round picks. The move was rewarded with an NBA championship in 2021.
As motivated as general manager Jon Horst apparently was to get a deal done, there proved to be too many barriers to overcome in the end. A lack of assets, having to trade one of your big three, and the new CBA were just some of the challenges to overcome.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee hospital valet confusion, man accused of stealing car
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County prosecutors charged a man who they say was confused for a hospital valet driver – and drove off in someone’s car anyway – on Saturday, Dec. 21.
Court records show 28-year-old Jessie Reyes-Fleischmann is now accused of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and misdemeanor obstructing an officer.
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According to a criminal complaint, the victim was unloading his car outside Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center on Milwaukee’s south side and saw two men standing outside. The victim said he thought the men were valet drivers, and he handed one of them his car keys.
When the victim later spoke to medical staff about retrieving his car, court filings state he was informed the hospital does not have a valet service. The victim then realized his car had been taken, and he reported it stolen to MPD.
In custody
Early the next morning, Greenfield police located and pulled over the stolen car. Prosecutors said the driver, later identified Reyes-Fleischmann, initially gave officers a fake name. His true identity was not learned until he was booked.
During an interview, the complaint states Reyes-Fleischmann told police he asked the victim at the hospital if he needed help. The victim then handed over his keys and said “can somebody take my car.” He said he got in and started driving around, but admitted he should have told the man no – that he was “stupid” and should’ve just parked the car.
Court records show Reyes-Fleischmann made his initial court appearance on Thursday. His bond was set at $1,500.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Admirals beat Wolves, Murray shines in goal
MILWAUKEE – Matt Murray stopped a season-high 43 shots and Kieffer Bellows scored a pair of goals to lead the Admirals to a 4-1 win over the Wolves on Friday night.
Ryan Ufko and Ozzy Wiesblatt also lit the lamp for the Ads, who snapped Chicago’s six-game winning streak in the process.
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Murray made 29 saves over the final two periods and backstopped the Admirals to a perfect 4-for-4 performance on the penalty kill. It was the eighth win of the season for Murray, who has allowed just one goal in four of his past five starts.
The Admirals jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period, courtesy of goals from Bellows and Ufko. Bellows notched his team-leading 11th goal of the season at 11:25 of the opening frame when he collected the rebound of a Fedor Svechkov goal and slid it five-hole past Spencer Martin.
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Ufko lit the lamp with just 57 seconds remaining in the first, scoring his second power-play marker of the season. The play started when Ozzy Wiesblatt carried the puck along the Chicago blueline and then fired a shot that Ufko deflected past Martin.
After a scoreless second period, Bellows got his second of the game at the 6:55 mark of the final period when he poked a loose puck ahead at the Ads’ blueline, skated in alone on Martin and reached the puck around the Wolves’ goalie as he was being hauled to the ground.
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Chicago’s Ronan Seeley spoiled Murray’s shutout bid when he scored on a one-timer with 1:06 to play before Wiesblatt iced things for Milwaukee with an empty-netter, his sixth goal of the season.
The Admirals and Wolves get right back at it as they wrap-up their home-and-home set on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Allstate Arena. Milwaukee’s next home game is Monday, Dec. 30.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee house fire near 7th and Lincoln
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee firefighters battled a house fire on the city’s south side on Friday morning, Dec. 27.
The fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. near 7th and Lincoln.
Milwaukee fire officials say flames were found in the rear cottage of the residents.
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All people in the home managed to get out safety.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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