Why the Bucks Being Interested in Ja Morant Makes Sense

At first, the idea of the Milwaukee Bucks wanting Ja Morant feels strange. Over the summer, they didn’t seem interested in getting a clear second star to play next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, with reports linking them to Morant and other big names, it looks like they’ve changed their mindSource: 

And there’s a clear reason why.

The Bucks struggle badly when Giannis is off the floor

When Giannis is playing, the Bucks are very good. Stats from Cleaning the Glass show that Milwaukee scores about 11 more points per 100 possessions than their opponents when he’s on the court.

But when Giannis sits, everything falls apart. The Bucks get outscored by about 11 points per 100 possessions without him. That’s a huge drop, and it’s been happening all season.

The main problem is simple: the Bucks don’t have someone who can run the offense when Giannis is resting.

Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins have had some good moments, but neither has been able to consistently lead the team on their own. They play much better next to Giannis than they do without him. Because of that, the Bucks’ offense often looks lost when Giannis isn’t out there.

Ja Morant isn’t a perfect fit for the Bucks. He’s having a down year, and his style doesn’t naturally match Giannis’. Still, he’s proven he can score and create offense. Before this season, Morant averaged over 23 points per game for four straight years.

For Milwaukee, the idea is simple: if Morant is on the team, they can stagger his minutes with Giannis. That way, there’s always someone on the floor who can create shots and keep the offense moving.

The Bucks have also been linked to players like Zach LaVine and Michael Porter Jr., who might fit better because of their size and shooting. But those players could be harder or more expensive to get. Morant might end up being the easiest star to trade for.

The Bucks can’t stay the same

One thing is clear: the Bucks can’t keep things the way they are. The huge drop in performance when Giannis sits puts too much pressure on him and isn’t sustainable.

They need someone who can take control of the offense when Giannis rests. Ja Morant may not solve every problem, but he could fix one of their biggest ones.

That’s why the Bucks’ interest in him actually makes sense.