As the Milwaukee Bucks seek to stay afloat in superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence, the organization is reportedly considering another desperation move for one of the league’s most polarizing stars.
However, matching salaries could prove difficult for Milwaukee without further weakening its already shaky roster.
Bucks’ Interest in Kings Star Zach LaVine Resurfaces Amid Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Saga
Milwaukee has been heavily featured in the rumor mill as of late, mainly due to Antetokounmpo’s reported uncertainty about his future amid the team’s underwhelming 11-15 start. Making matters worse, the two-time MVP is expected to miss at least a few more weeks while recovering from a right calf strain, raising questions about the Bucks’ ability to maintain their play-in spot.
As Antetokounmpo’s future hangs in the balance, The Athletic’s Sam Amick shed light on Milwaukee’s possible next move on Friday. According to the league insider, the franchise is once again exploring a deal for Sacramento Kings star shooting guard Zach LaVine.
“LaVine, for starters, could certainly help several contending teams. To that point, league sources confirmed that Milwaukee has done recent due diligence on the 30-year-old guard (and has shown interest in the past),” Amick wrote.
However, Amick noted that the remaining years on LaVine’s five-year, $215,159,700 contract make him a divisive trade prospect despite his proven offensive track record.
“His exorbitant salary — $47.5 million this season and a player option for $49 million next season — makes it nearly impossible to move him without attaching some sort of sweetener (draft assets) in return,” Amick wrote. “And therein lies the challenge for first-year Kings general manager Scott Perry.”
Like Milwaukee, Sacramento has vastly underperformed, sitting 13th in the Western Conference (6-19), sparking rampant speculation about its top players, including LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan.
While LaVine is averaging over 20 points per game (20.6 ppg) for the seventh time in the last eight seasons, he remains a defensive liability. Additionally, the two-time All-Star brings limited playoff experience to the table, having appeared in just four postseason games across his 12-year career, leading many to question his impact on winning.
An all-in deal for LaVine would mark another gutsy decision for the Bucks. This comes after they waived and stretched the remaining $113 million of injured star guard Damian Lillard’s salary over the summer to sign stretch five Myles Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million contract.
The move has yet to pay off, with Turner delivering muted production on a subpar Milwaukee team. As such, LaVine’s addition may not be enough to push the Bucks over the top and appease Antetokounmpo, even in the wide-open Eastern Conference.