Crafting a mock trade between Bucks, Lakers and Magic based on recent rumors

It feels inevitable that the Milwaukee Bucks will end up making at least one trade this NBA off-season.

Whether it's something on the smaller side like their deal for Grayson Allen a few years back or their blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard last year, general manager Jon Horst and co. typically find one deal they like each off-season.

How big of a trade is yet to be determined, but with several key role players' names floating around in the rumor mill, the front office is doing homework on everyone. Recent rumors suggest that the trio of Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton are being shopped by the Bucks, and one would think that there will be external interest to some degree.

In that case, it only makes sense to rope in other teams that have been brought up in trade rumors over these last few weeks, and a pair of the most prominent names are the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. Is there a three-team scenario that satisfies the key needs of the Bucks, Magic and Lakers? Let's try to craft a hypothetical deal that might.

The mock trade between the Bucks, Magic and Lakers

With an open roster spot right now, the Bucks can indeed take back two players if they move at least one. Lopez is set to make $23 million next season, while Wendell Carter Jr. and Jarred Vanderbilt are about to make $22.7 million combined, allowing the Bucks to absorb them together.

Los Angeles' financial situation is a bit tricky to manage, but with LeBron James reportedly taking a pay cut on his recent contract, the Lakers will be out of the second apron. In short, that means they can combine the salaries of players in trades, as they'd be doing here with Vanderbilt and Russell to bring Lopez to Los Angeles.

That said, let us break down this deal by looking at the point of view of each team involved.