The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to improve their roster to salvage the 2025 season. In a striking move, they may be willing to break the bank to acquire an expensive but talented scorer from a Western Conference team suddenly adrift.
Are The Bucks Willing To Take On Another Star Guard And Additional Salary?
The Milwaukee Bucks have struggled early this season, and although it is only November, the team did not anticipate sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference. That standing has fueled speculation about a potential trade for a star player, according to NBA insider Michael A. Scotto.
HoopsHype’s Scotto reported that the Bucks have explored the possibility of acquiring guard Zach LaVine, among others. “The Milwaukee Bucks have conducted background due diligence on Zach LaVine and others around the league, as usual,” Scotto wrote.
The Milwaukee Bucks are showing a level of interest in Zach LaVine, per @MikeAScotto
“The Milwaukee Bucks have conducted background due diligence on Zach LaVine and others around the league, as usual, sources told HoopsHype. However, nothing is imminent as Bucks superstar… pic.twitter.com/P1gS2DONTY
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 26, 2025
The Bucks have experienced some bumps during the season despite making a major roster change in waiving and stretching the contract of point guard Damian Lillard in the offseason to acquire free-agent center Myles Turner. But the groin injury of their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has put a damper on the Bucks’ progress, leaving them just below .500 with an 8-10 record.
LaVine, as well as other Kings stars such as guard DeMar DeRozan, forward Domantas Sabonis, and guard Russell Westbrook, are reportedly available for trade by Sacramento as the team deals with a bloated salary cap and a 5-13 record in the Western Conference. LaVine is currently averaging 20.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists for the season.
Antetokounmpo is expected to return soon, which means that if the Bucks are still considering a move for LaVine, they must consider how to take on his current contract. LaVine signed a five-year extension when he was with the Chicago Bulls in 2022 for a little over $215 million before being traded to the Sacramento Kings. He is currently set to make $47 million this season and has a player option for the final year of the deal for $49 million.
According to Scotto, one current Bucks player could make a trade more manageable, and that’s guard Kyle Kuzma. “Should Milwaukee’s interest in LaVine become more serious,” Scotto continued, “it’s worth noting that Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma and Kings Governor Vivek Ranadive both invested in a new women’s professional sports venture called Major League Volleyball, and Kuzma has been linked to the Kings via trade rumors for several seasons.”
Kuzma is currently averaging 13.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for Milwaukee this season. Notably, it’s the lowest point total for Kuzma since his 2020-21 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
What might make a deal work is Kuzma’s contract, currently $22 million this season. Combined with another player, such as Bobby Portis and a protected draft pick, as proposed by Sports Illustrated, it could be a good enough match for LaVine, who still has a lot to offer a team in terms of high-powered scoring.
It also could be a move to help further ensure that Antetokounmpo stays in Milwaukee after suffering two straight seasons of playoff disappointments with exits in the first round to the Indiana Pacers.