The Milwaukee Bucks have gathered background information on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine while surveying the trade market ahead of February’s deadline, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports.
Sacramento has opened the season 5–13, prompting league observers to believe the club will weigh offers for several veterans, including LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and possibly Domantas Sabonis. Milwaukee, meanwhile, trimmed payroll under the salary cap during the summer to sign Myles Turner and now sits roughly $11.5 million below the luxury-tax threshold.
LaVine’s $47.5 million salary presents a challenge for the Bucks, whose roster contains few movable mid-tier contracts. Forward Kyle Kuzma ($22.4 million) is Milwaukee’s most obvious trade piece for a significant acquisition, but matching LaVine’s deal would almost certainly require at least two additional players—likely including Bobby Portis ($13.4 million). Milwaukee’s front office is reportedly reluctant to dismantle its rotation to that extent.
Kuzma has been on Sacramento’s radar in the past, and both he and Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé are investors in the new women’s professional league, Major League Volleyball, according to HoopsHype.
Because of the salary gap, the Bucks are also evaluating alternatives with smaller cap numbers. One such player is Boston guard Anfernee Simons, whose $27.7 million expiring contract drew Milwaukee’s attention during the offseason. The Celtics and Brooklyn Nets discussed multiple Simons trade scenarios over the summer, but no deal advanced. LaVine holds a $49 million player option for 2026-27, while Simons’ current pact ends after this season.
On the court, LaVine is averaging 20.5 points on .498/.386/.893 shooting in 33.5 minutes across 16 starts. Simons is logging 14.4 points per game on .448/.411/.862 in 24.9 minutes off Boston’s bench through 17 appearances. Neither guard is regarded as a plus defender.
Boston remains willing to pay the luxury tax this season but is approximately $12 million over the line. A Simons deal could move the Celtics under the tax, yet league sources told HoopsHype the team has not offered to attach a first-round pick to facilitate his departure.
Source: HoopsRumors
