The Milwaukee Bucks are eyeing a trade to bolster their roster for the 2025 season, and their sights are set on a few big-name stars. With the season halfway through, rumors have emerged about the team’s interest in Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, and Bradley Beal. According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, the Bucks may only manage to land one of these superstars, but LaVine could be the ideal option.
A proposed five-team trade scenario outlined by Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor involves the Milwaukee Bucks making a major move for LaVine. In this deal, the Bucks would acquire Zach LaVine, while the Chicago Bulls would receive Beal and draft capital. The Phoenix Suns would trade Butler to the Bucks, the Miami Heat would land Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, and draft capital, and the Detroit Pistons would receive Bobby Portis.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton tries to get past Orlando Magic’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup tournament quarterfinals basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

One of the main hurdles in making this trade happen is the Milwaukee Bucks’ position with the NBA’s tax apron. Since they’ve exceeded the second tax apron, they cannot aggregate players in a trade unless it keeps them below the tax threshold. This situation makes players like Connaughton and Portis valuable trade assets. While Connaughton could be moved to a team like the Pistons to absorb his contract, Portis is more likely to go, given his role in the Bucks’ rotation.
The real appeal of Zach LaVine, however, lies in his youth and current form. Unlike Butler and Beal, LaVine offers the Milwaukee Bucks a star with more prime years ahead of him. This season, LaVine has been playing at a high level, averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He is also shooting career-highs across the board, with 51.3% from the field and 45.1% from three-point range.
In contrast to Butler and Beal, who are both older, Zach LaVine’s upside is clear, and he has been more effective this season. If the Bucks are serious about making a playoff run, LaVine could be the key piece to push them forward.
Also read: LA Lakers Trade Rumor: GM Rob Pelinka eyes $41 million Pacers center to support LeBron James and co. prior trade deadline; upgrade from prior trade speculations?
While no trade is without its complications, this proposal shows that if Milwaukee is looking to make a bold move, LaVine might be their best bet for both immediate and long-term success.

INGLEWOOD, California – The Milwaukee Bucks are tied as the NBA’s hottest team as they take a five-game winning streak (matching the Memphis Grizzlies) on the road and face the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.

Milwaukee led by as many as 11 points early in the first quarter but Los Angeles went 11-for-11 from the free throw line to tie it up at 28 after one quarter. The Bucks were called for seven personal fouls, including two each for Khris Middleton, Andre Jackson Jr. and Ryan Rollins. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 11 points for the Bucks while James Harden had 10 for the Clippers.

The Bucks made their first trip to the newly-built Intuit Dome in Inglewood, where the Clippers are 16-8.

Los Angeles (25-19) has won five of their last seven games heading into tonight’s contest. Milwaukee (25-17) is just 8-10 on the road this season.

Is Giannis playing?

Probably. The MVP candidate continues to manage pain in his right knee, but he has yet to miss a game with the issue he’s been managing since training camp.

What happened to P.J. Tucker?

Milwaukee fan favorite P.J. Tucker, a key part of the 2021 championship team, has not played a game this season despite being on the Clippers roster. Officially listed as “away from the team,” the 39-year-old forward hasn’t played a regular-season game for the Clippers since April 14 of last season as he’s wanted a trade out of Los Angeles for several seasons.

He is making $11 million this season, in the final year of a three-year, $33.2 million deal initially signed with Philadelphia in 2022.

What time is the Bucks game?

It’s a late start with the team in California, tipping off at about 9:30 p.m. CT.

The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.

• AJ Green, out (left quad strain)
• Bobby Portis Jr., out (personal reasons)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (right patella tendinopathy)
• Khris Middleton, probable (bilateral ankle surgery injury management)

Bucks starting lineup

• Guards: Andre Jackson Jr., Damian Lillard
• Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince
• Center: Brook Lopez

More: Milwaukee Bucks sharpshooter Damian Lillard feeling comfortable firing 3-point shots from anywhere

Bucks vs. Clippers odds, over/under

Los Angeles is a 2.5-point favorite over Milwaukee, with the over/under set at 225.5 points per BetMGM.

The Milwaukee Bucks are a team that teams around the NBA are watching. They have been playing some great basketball lately, winning eight of their last nine games.

That could empower them to make a big move at the trade deadline. While they have been playing good basketball, they still need to make a move to be a true contender to win the NBA title.

Milwaukee still has two superstars on the roster already: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Any player they bring in would need to compliment them.

One player who has been linked to the Bucks is Bulls star guard Zach LaVine. Lavine is one of the best players who could be available in the trade market.

Read more: Bucks’ Bobby Portis Viewed as Strong Trade Piece Ahead of Deadline

LaVine is playing much better basketball this season than he did a year ago. He’s actually shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 45.1 percent from three, both being career highs.

Not only has he been playing great basketball this year, but he has been able to stay healthy. His health has been a big question around the rest of the league.

Knee issues have plagued him in the last few years. Other teams were afraid to trade for such an expensive player who had chronic knee problems.

Now that those issues are gone, teams are starting to call the Bulls about his availability. Despite that, it doesn’t seem like LaVine wants to be traded.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Lavine has shown that he would like to remain in Chicago. That’s a shift from where his feelings have been over the last couple of years.

More Bucks news: Bucks Considering Moves to Acquire High-Level All-Stars: Report

The Bucks have been one of the teams who have been linked to LaVine. Adding him would give Milwaukee another star player to pair with Antetokoumpo and Lillard.

Of course, LaVine would not come cheap. Because of his sizable contract, the Bucks would have to include quite a few guys as well as draft capital in order to get a deal done.

Right now, LaVine is averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game this season for the Bulls.

More Milwaukee Bucks news: Bradley Beal’s Agent Rejects Reports of Waiving No-Trade Clause for Bucks

Bucks Star Guard Drawing Trade Interest From Multiple Conference Rivals

For more news and notes on the Milwaukee Bucks, visit Milwaukee Bucks on SI.