The Milwaukee Bucks are surveying the league for ways to stabilize their roster, and Sacramento Kings All-Star guard Zach LaVine is one of the names on their evaluation board. The interest is described as exploratory, but it reflects a front office scanning every possible option after a rocky start.
Milwaukee has lost five straight and sits at 8-10 while waiting for Giannis Antetokounmpo to return from a low-grade adductor strain. Without their two-time MVP, the Bucks have struggled to generate efficient offense, creating pressure on management to find additional scoring.
Bucks Doing Due Diligence on LaVine
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Bucks have âconducted background due diligence on LaVine and others around the league,â though league sources stressed that ânothing is imminentâ while Antetokounmpo nears his return. Milwaukeeâs approach signals internal preparation more than active pursuit, but the front office is clearly doing its homework.
LaVineâs situation lines up with the broader context. Sacramento is 5-13 and drifting toward a potential sell-off. The franchise is expected to evaluate the market for LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, with Domantas Sabonis also generating interest from contenders. LaVine is averaging 20.5 points with efficient shooting splits while remaining one of the leagueâs most dynamic off-the-dribble scorers.
His fit is straightforward. Milwaukeeâs offense has lacked a creator who can pressure defenses from the perimeter. Antetokounmpoâs absence has highlighted that issue, as Ryan Rollins and Kyle Kuzma have carried scoring duties but have struggled to produce consistent perimeter creation. LaVineâs ability to generate his own shot remains elite, and the spacing provided by Myles Turner and Bobby Portis could allow him to thrive alongside a healthy Antetokounmpo.
The Contract Hurdle and Kuzmaâs Role in Any Deal
LaVineâs contract remains the largest obstacle. He is owed over $47 million this season and holds a $49 million player option for 2026â27. Milwaukeeâs lack of mid-tier salaries makes matching money difficult, and the team would likely need to include Kuzma and another rotation player, most likely Portis, to make the math work.
Kuzma is Milwaukeeâs clearest movable piece at $22.4 million. His production has been inconsistent through the first quarter of the season, and his name frequently appears in leaguewide trade scenarios. There is also a unique Sacramento connection. Kuzma and Kings governor Vivek Ranadive have both invested in Major League Volleyball, a new womenâs professional sports league. Kuzma has been linked to Sacramento rumors for multiple years, although it is unclear whether the current front office values him in the same way Monte McNairâs group did.
That overlap will matter if discussions progress beyond background evaluation.
Milwaukee Also Watching Anfernee Simons
LaVine is not the Bucksâ only option. Scotto also noted that Milwaukee has monitored Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons, whose $27.7 million cap hit is far easier to absorb. Boston remains roughly $12 million over the tax line and could consider moving Simons to reduce its bill. However, the Celtics have shown no willingness to attach a first-round pick to such a deal.
Simons is averaging 14.4 points on strong shooting splits in a bench role. His scoring and contract flexibility make him an attractive fallback option if Milwaukee decides LaVine is too expensive or requires too much roster sacrifice.
Why It All Matters for Milwaukee
This evaluation period is about more than short-term needs. Antetokounmpo has reiterated his commitment to Milwaukee for now, but his stance is tied to the franchise remaining competitive. Continued losing could change the tone quickly. The Bucks know they must fortify the roster around him and maintain a championship-caliber core.
LaVine represents a high-upside swing. Simons offers a more manageable alternative. The Bucks are not close to making a move, but the message is clear: they are preparing for every scenario as the season unfolds and the February deadline approaches.
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