Zach LaVine has been on the Milwaukee Bucks' radar for a long time, but they might be the only team looking to acquire his services. On a Bleacher Report livestream, NBA Jake Fischer made it clear that the shooting guard's market is not robust, claiming, "[The Bucks] are really the only team I've heard for Zach LaVine." Milwaukee will essentially be competing against itself if they want LaVine.
Bucks' only competition for former All-Star is themselves
If the Milwaukee Bucks want Zach LaVine, they absolutely can't overpay. There is no one else driving up the price, and there's a reason for that. LaVine is a nice player—a former All-Star at that—but he's making $47.4 million this season and has a player option worth $49 million next season. Teams don't want to touch that with a 10-foot pole, and understandably so.
The Milwaukee Bucks are the only exception because of how desperate they are. A team with playoff hopes is now sitting at 17-23, currently outside of the Eastern Conference Play-In picture. A trade for Zach LaVine doesn't push them firmly back into the playoff mix, but it would at least offer a change rather than living and dying by a formula that is clearly killing this team.
Milwaukee's offer to Sacramento should be the bare minimum. They'll take all of the money LaVine is due over the next two years off Sacramento's hands in exchange for whatever low-cost package the front office can put together. No young players, such as the rising Ryan Rollins, and certainly no draft picks. Just a low-risk swap where Milwaukee commits to a good chunk of money.
The Kings make plenty of sense as a trade partner for the Bucks due to their lingering interest in Kyle Kuzma over the years. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto has reported on Sacramento's liking of the NBA Champion in recent years, and it would make sense that they'd covet him in a LaVine deal. It could be a beneficial move for both parties.
If the Milwaukee Bucks are willing to absorb all of the money LaVine is due, he does make a level of sense as a target, even if flawed. Milwaukee's offense has been putrid when Giannis Antetokounmpo is off the floor. LaVine, a known bucket-getter from all three levels, could look to keep things afloat when the Greek Freak is catching his breath.
Milwaukee would then have to worry about being undersized, even worse on defense, and short on depth pieces. A deal becomes far more enticing if the Bucks can acquire Keon Ellis alongside LaVine, but it's unclear if the Kings would even be willing to entertain such a scenario.
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