The Milwaukee Bucks have begun preliminary background checks on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine as they scan the trade market for potential upgrades, league sources told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Scotto characterized Milwaukee’s interest as routine “due diligence” rather than an active push to strike a deal. Nonetheless, the inquiry links the 9-8 Bucks to a Kings roster that is expected to entertain offers for nearly every veteran after a 5-13 start.
LaVine, along with fellow guard DeMar DeRozan, headlines Sacramento’s list of trade-worthy names. Center Domantas Sabonis could also surface in talks as a new front office explores fresh directions.
Money would be the hurdle
Milwaukee created cap flexibility this past summer while signing center Myles Turner and now sits roughly $11.5 million below the luxury-tax line. Absorbing LaVine’s $47.5 million salary—plus a $49 million player option for next season—would still require considerable outgoing money.
To match contracts, the Bucks would almost certainly need to package forward Kyle Kuzma and another rotation regular, most likely forward Bobby Portis, according to Scotto. Trading two starters for a high-priced scorer with an injury history and defensive questions is viewed internally as a difficult decision.
Kuzma has been on Sacramento’s radar before. The Kings’ previous front office showed interest, and both Kuzma and team owner Vivek Ranadivé hold investment stakes in Major League Volleyball. It remains unclear whether the current regime shares that enthusiasm.
Simons also on Milwaukee’s list
The Bucks are also monitoring Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons, whose $27.7 million expiring contract is far less complicated to fit into Milwaukee’s books. Boston is open to deals that trim payroll and lower its tax payment, though the Celtics have reportedly refused to attach a first-round pick merely to move Simons.
Production so far
Through 18 games, LaVine is averaging 20.5 points while shooting 49.8 percent from the field, 38.6 percent from three and 89.3 percent at the foul line. Simons is contributing 14.4 points off Boston’s bench on 44.8 percent overall shooting, 41.1 percent from deep and 86.2 percent at the stripe.
Milwaukee is expected to keep evaluating its options as the February trade deadline approaches.
Source: Hoops Wire
