The Milwaukee Bucks are interested in Sacramento Kings guards Zach LaVine and Malik Monk, Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant and Brooklyn Nets wing Michael Porter Jr., according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic.
The Bucks are looking to improve their roster around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
DallasHoopsJournal reported on December 24 that the Bucks are interested in trading for LaVine and Grant and that both players are aware of Milwaukee’s interest in them.
LaVine is making $47.5 million this season, Monk is making $18.8 million, Grant is making $32 million and Porter Jr. is making $38.3 million.
The Bucks are currently telling teams that Antetokounmpo is not available in trade talks, sources said. Milwaukee is looking to make trades to surround “The Greek Freak” with more talent, particularly at the wing spot, sources said.
This past offseason, Antetokounmpo requested a trade and wanted to get traded to the New York Knicks, sources said. However, Milwaukee and New York didn’t agree to a deal.
A top 75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The superstar power forward doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Bucks won the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games. Since then, Milwaukee has won just one playoff series.
Antetokounmpo has grown tired of losing, so his future is certainly worth keeping an eye on. The Bucks, who are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, have lost in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and nine-time All-Star. If he asks to be traded, almost every contender — except for the Oklahoma City Thunder — will pursue him.