The Bucks have been desperate to add additional scoring alongside superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the answer may lie in Sacramento: Zach LaVine. The Bucks are reportedly the only team interested in the polarizing King, so we mocked up a trade bringing him to Milwaukee:
It would be a major move for the Bucks that brings in LaVine's huge contract (paid over $47 million this season and next). But his scoring talent might make the deal worth it for a Bucks team with few other options. They need more creation and scoring from their wings, and LaVine excels in those areas despite his other weaknesses.
LaVine and Westbrook are not perfect fixes for the Bucks
Zach LaVine has been a deadly scorer for years, but his contract and lack of defense have made teams reluctant to trade for him. He's probably past his best days now at age 30, but still putting up almost 20 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. Many of his buckets are self-created, but he's also deadly as an off-ball weapon. Pairing him with Giannis could create a deadly one-two punch.
As for the Bucks' other addition in this mock trade, Russell Westbrook brings an energetic play style in his 18th season. His hustle and intensity might be exactly what the Bucks need, considering their low effort in recent games. But the same concerns about Westbrook's fit on a high-level team continue to plague him: his lack of shooting and high turnovers.
This season, Westbrook is averaging 15 points and seven assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 35 percent from three. He's also adding 3.4 turnovers per game, which is the 10th most in the NBA. Westbrook's lack of shooting would certainly stick out on a Bucks team full of snipers, but that ecosystem might also improve his efficiency and turnover problems.
LaVine and Westbrook are not perfect players by any means, but they have the potential to turn the Bucks' fortunes. However, the Bucks would be giving up significant depth in this trade. Kuzma, Portis, and Anthony are all key pieces of the current rotation. With that said, none are having the impact that LaVine could potentially bring, and the results with the outgoing quartet have not been good so far.
Although this trade would be a risky endeavor, going all-in for Zach LaVine might be a way to maximize the Bucks' championship odds with Giannis on the team. However, Milwaukee should be careful not to offer too much; they appear to be LaVine's only suitors after all. This trade isn't guaranteed to fix the Bucks overnight, but it's worth considering.