The 2025 NBA Trade Deadline is just days away, and the Milwaukee Bucks are one of the teams most frequently mentioned in rumors.
As always, Milwaukee's front office, led by former Executive of the Year Jon Horst, never leaves any stone unturned in their quest to upgrade the roster. All of the chatter coming out makes it seem as if that will remain the case before the February 6 buzzer sounds. With that said, let us round up all of the rumors currently making the rounds.
Bucks are "determined" to make a move
Veteran NBA insider Marc Stein says that the Bucks are described as "determined" to make a move before the NBA Trade Deadline. They want to beef up the cast around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, and a move, big or small, could very well help in trying to maximize the title window. Simply put, standing pat does not seem like a legitimate option for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bucks looking for a complementary lob threat
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported in mid-December that the Milwaukee Bucks were making calls across the league looking for a lob threat to complement Brook Lopez. That makes sense, as this team could very clearly use an athletic big to give them a different flavor from Lopez, who is still a nice piece, but he lacks the quickness and athleticism that a lot of modern big men possess.
While the Bucks haven't outright been linked to him, one player many fans have been pleading for is Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers. The former All-Defensive honoree hasn't played a big role for Portland this year, but when he has, he's shown that his athleticism and shot-blocking ability are still very much intact. He'd make plenty of sense in Milwaukee.
Bucks are not interested in Bradley Beal
For a few days, there was growing chatter that the Milwaukee Bucks may be willing to facilitate a trade to bring Jimmy Butler to Phoenix by taking on Bradley Beal's contract. The idea of Beal in Milwaukee never made much sense, given his massive contract and declining play, so it made plenty of sense when these rumors were emphatically shut down by TNT and Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes.
Haynes said loud and clear that the Milwaukee Bucks have not been connected to Bradley Beal and that a possible trade is "nonexistent." For Jimmy Butler to land with the Phoenix Suns, someone has to take on Beal's contract, but this report makes it sound like that team will not be Milwaukee, and for most Bucks fans, that's not the worst news.
3 Champion Bucks are available for trade
Per ESPN's Tim Bontempts and Brian Windhorst, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton are all on the table as the Bucks try to upgrade the roster. While all three were key cogs throughout an incredible title run in 2021, they have all regressed to some degree, whether it be age, injuries or just simply failing to live up to expectations.
A Connaughton trade is the key for the Milwaukee Bucks. To get out of the second apron, the Bucks could dump Connaughton's salary to a team with space, which would give them access to plenty of perks, including being able to aggregate salaries in a trade. If they do that, the odds of them going after one of the big fish featured in this article becomes much more likely.
Bucks looming as a Jimmy Butler suitor
Very early on after Jimmy Butler requested a trade, the Milwaukee Bucks were linked to him. While the fit is not perfect, it would be shocking if Horst hadn't at least poked around this situation. When a star becomes available, he calls. Now, with talks seemingly stalled between Miami and Phoenix due to that massive Beal contract, there is a chance the Bucks could swoop in and bring in Butler if they desire.
Bucks eyeing a star division rival
K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network dropped a nugget that the Bucks are interested in making a move for Bulls guard Zach LaVine, who has been a staple in trade rumors for months. LaVine is having one of his best seasons to date, shooting the ball incredibly well from everywhere on the floor while showing that he still has his eye-popping athleticism.
The big risk with LaVine, and why no one has traded for him despite being mentioned in rumors for the past several years, is his injury history. He's been banged up often, and though he's been healthy this season, a potential injury could derail Milwaukee's - or any other contender's - season. If they feel comfortable taking a risk, the Bucks could form a lethal new trio.
Bucks want a wing, checked in on Pelicans All-Star
Jake Fischer, once again, reported recently that the Milwaukee Bucks are poking around for help on the wing and that one target they checked in on was Brandon Ingram. However, any legitimate talks on that front have ceased for the time being due to Ingram being injured for quite some time now. It seems unlikely that talks will pick up with the deadline now just days away.
More updates will follow.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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