When the Milwaukee Bucks selected Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, they believed they had a steal. But no one could have projected just how good the player known as the “Greek Freak” would become. Now, the Bucks could be interested in teaming him with another veteran scorer – Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine.
Uncertainty Looms Over Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Time With the Bucks
Antetokounmpo is a nine-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA First Teamer, twice on the All-NBA Second Team, 2020 Defensive Player of the Year, and league MVP in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, he led the Bucks to the NBA title and earned Finals MVP.
Antetokounmpo is still playing at an extremely high level. He is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 63.9% from the field. While there’s no reason to expect he won’t rebound from his current ailments, Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined with a right calf strain (soleus muscle strain) and is expected to miss approximately 4-6 weeks as he recovers.
There are ongoing rumors that Antetokounmpo is unhappy in Milwaukee and may be considering a departure.
Rumors persist that Antetokounmpo wants to play for the New York Knicks or Miami Heat, and they have not been dismissed.
The Bucks have gotten off to an extremely disappointing 11-17 start and have yet to see the impact they hoped for from their big offseason acquisition, former Pacers center Myles Turner.
After point guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles in the 2025 postseason, the Bucks waived Lillard. They then signed Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million contract. Turner has averaged just 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting only 43.2% from the field.
As a result, speculation has grown that the Bucks may be heading toward a full rebuild.
However, NBA Insider Chris Haynes reports the Bucks intend to add talent before February’s trade deadline and already have specific targets in mind to pair with Antetokounmpo.
NBA Insider Reveals Bucks Are Doing ‘Homework’ on Zach LaVine
Haynes explained the Bucks could target LaVine.
“The latest right now is that the Milwaukee Bucks are in desperate pursuit of trying to look out on the trade market to see if they can bring in a difference maker type of player,” Haynes said. “Sources have relayed they are canvassing the market and one of the guys that I have identified is Zach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings.”
Chris Haynes says the Bucks are targeting Zach LaVine to help Giannis but there have been no “concrete serious talks to this point” pic.twitter.com/0doOWGpOld
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) December 20, 2025
Although serious talks between the Bucks and Kings have not started, Milwaukee is working behind the scenes on potential acquisitions.
“He is one player they have done their homework on,” Haynes explained. “There hasn’t been any concrete serious talks to this point but he’s someone who is on their radar as Giannis Antetokounmpo has applied pressure on the Bucks to make some moves.”
Even if LaVine isn’t the ultimate prize, Haynes believes the Bucks are actively trying to improve their team. They want to convince Antetokounmpo he can win again in Milwaukee.
“The Bucks I am told are buyers and are trying to figure out a way to bring a difference maker type of player into the roster.”
LaVine, 30, is putting up 20.2 points per game and shooting 48.7% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. He signed a five-year, $215,159,700 max contract extension with the Chicago Bulls in 2022 that runs through this season with a player option worth $48,967,380 for the 2026-27 season.
Fans Not Pleased With Potential LaVine Move
Fans do not believe this is the move the Bucks need to make.
“If they want a difference maker, Hes not that guy,” one fan said. “Hasn’t been a difference maker wherever he’s been.”
If they want a difference maker, Hes not that guy. Hasn’t been a difference maker wherever he’s been.
— Hipshot101 (@Hipshot1011) December 20, 2025
Another fan doesn’t believe a move like this will change anything, saying “They think that’s gonna change Giannis’ mind…how cute”
They think that’s gonna change Giannis’ mind…how cute
— anthony (@antj2k1) December 20, 2025
This fan finished the sentence, posting “Which Zach LaVine is not.”
Haynes: Bucks have “done their homework” on Zach LaVine; are trying to bring in a difference-maker.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) December 20, 2025
Others simply don’t get it: “Don’t understand how one can put “difference-maker” and “LaVine” in one sentence 😂”
Don’t understand how one can put “difference-maker” and “LaVine” in one sentence 😂
— Dominikas S. (@one8tyfive) December 20, 2025
This fan believe the statements contradict each other: “You can’t say that they’ve both “done their homework” and believe that Lavine is a difference maker, in the same statement,” they wrote. “Both can’t be true”
You can’t say that they’ve both “done their homework” and believe that Lavine is a difference maker, in the same statement.
Both can’t be true
— Justin Lenzer (@Just_in_2win) December 20, 2025
Although LaVine may not be the answer they need to keep Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, they are being proactive in trying to keep their homegrown star. As the trade deadline approaches, the Bucks’ aggressive moves could define the rest of their season.
