Trade negotiations will begin to pick up with less than a week until the NBA’s deadline, especially with championship contenders looking to take the next step.
The Milwaukee Bucks are undoubtedly among that group of organizations, with rumors linking them to Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler, Phoenix Suns’ Bradley Beal, and Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine. FanSided predicted the Bucks’ No. 1 route is to land LaVine by moving on from a core member of their 2021 championship roster, Khris Middleton.
FanSided’s Michael Saenz laid out the blockbuster deal, writing, “The easiest way that this deal could get done is by including a third or fourth team to help take on the roster that Chicago may not be willing to accept as compensation for LaVine. Those teams could also add some draft compensation that the Bucks currently don’t have at their disposal.”
“However, you’d have to imagine that the salaries of Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton would also have to be included one way or another. The Bucks may also have to include one of their young pieces to help get this deal done,” Saenz concluded.
LaVine is having his best season in years, averaging 24 points on 51.1% shooting and 44.6% from three-point range. His efficiency is off the charts, as he’s hitting career highs in each of the aforementioned percentages. Although he’s back to playing at an All-Star-caliber level, his defense alongside that of Damian Lillard is a scary thought.
While Milwaukee does have a strong interior defense with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, Eastern Conference guards such as Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell could tear them up in the postseason.
There’s no guarantee the Bucks are set on a roster-altering move, but if they decide it’s best, Middleton will almost certainly see a change of scenery.
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