Grade the trade: Bucks go all-in on small ball in mock deal with Lakers, Magic

The NBA rumor mill is churning once again, and this time, it's a three-team dance floor involving the Milwaukee Bucks.

The regular season is still a ways off, and each NBA team's front office is still turning over ways to ready their rosters for another campaign. Bucks general manager Jon Horst is no different, as recent rumblings from within the association indicate that the trio of Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton have been shopped by Bucks management.

Given the varying histories of each player, one would have to think that there would, at the very least, be some level of external interest in each player and what they bring to a basketball club.

It should be noted that in an interview with The Athletic's Eric Nehm (subscription required), Horst did push back on any notion that the Bucks would trade Lopez. Still, if the right deal arises, anything can happen in today's NBA.

This proposed trade by Behind the Buck Pass' Dalton Sell involves the Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. Let's dissect this intriguing trade proposal and see if it benefits each team involved.

The mock trade between the Bucks, Magic and Lakers

On the surface, the motivations seem clear. The Bucks, seeking a more switchable and defensively sound roster, have their eyes on a young and mobile center like Wendell Carter Jr. and versatile defender Jarred Vanderbilt.

It's a move that would have suited them well under the defensive identity former head coach Adrian Griffin was reportedly looking to implement in Milwaukee despite their limited and seemingly incompatible personnel.

The Orlando Magic, on the other hand, are looking to take another step towards legitimate contention with their litany of young and talented players. It's very possible they could see value in acquiring D'Angelo Russell, a high-scoring guard who can take pressure off of their big wings while establishing good veteran leadership in their locker room.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers, having put in a few disappointing seasons in a row now, might be tempted by the rim protection and shooting prowess of veteran center and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Brook Lopez to build a supersized roster next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It is, after all, the same roster-building philosophy that won them a title back in 2020.

So, is this a win-win-win situation, or are there hidden costs for each team? Let's delve deeper and analyze the potential impact of this complex trade on each franchise's future.