Milwaukee Bucks are feeling the heat from Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to make a move before the trade deadline, pressured by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s demands for better support.
Trade rumours have been swirling around Antetokounmpo for months, as he grows frustrated with the Bucks’ inability to build a championship-calibre roster around him in an Eastern Conference that has weakened over recent years.
The team currently sit 11th in the East at 11-17 and risk missing even the Play-In tournament during what should be Antetokounmpo’s prime years. But they are eyeing one move in particular that could turn their fortunes around.
Zach LaVine emerges as a top trade option for the Bucks
According to Haynes, the Bucks have their sights set on two-time All-Star Zach LaVine, currently with the Sacramento Kings, as a potential boost to their lineup.
LaVine’s time in Sacramento hasn’t gone as planned. The Kings have stumbled to a 6-21 start, which could push them into seller mode as they look to reset their roster.
Speaking on NBA on Prime, Haynes shared: “The latest right now is the Milwaukee Bucks are in desperate pursuit in trying to look out on the trade market and see if they can bring in a difference-maker type of player.”
“Sources have relayed to me that they are canvassing the market, and one of the guys that I’ve identified is Zach LaVine and the Sacramento Kings. He is one player that they have done their homework on.”
Haynes added: “There haven’t been any concrete, serious talks at this point, but he’s somebody who is on their radar as Giannis Antetokounmpo has put some pressure on the Bucks to make some moves. The Bucks I am told are buyers, and they are trying to find a way to bring in a difference-maker type of player onto their roster.”
The Bucks are limited in what they can offer after previous deals for Damian Lillard and Myles Turner.
Zach LaVine isn’t exactly an ideal fit next to Antetokounmpo – his game overlaps quite a bit – but given Milwaukee’s limited assets at this stage, he might be one of their few realistic options left.
Bucks face tough decision over which player to move in potential Zach LaVine deal
The Bucks don’t have the flexibility to form a trio of Antetokounmpo, Turner, and LaVine. One would need to be moved out, and it appears Turner is the one on the trade block.
Turner’s contract matches up with LaVine’s $47.5M salary, giving Milwaukee a clear path to making the deal work from a financial perspective.
To make the numbers line up, Milwaukee could package Turner and Kyle Kuzma together, along with draft picks, to try and tempt Sacramento into agreeing to a deal.
It’s unclear how many picks the Kings would want in return. Given where Milwaukee are right now in terms of contention, they’d likely have to give up quite a bit of future capital.
Still, keeping Antetokounmpo happy seems to be taking priority over long-term planning at this point.
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