The Milwaukee Bucks are currently the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
They know they can do better than that but will need more help.
According to a report by The Athletic (via NBA Central), they are looking to add yet another star to their roster.
They’ve set their sights on Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal to help their superstar duo:
“Per league sources, the Bucks’ motives would be two-fold: Cut enough salary from their payroll to get under the second apron — the only way the Bucks can legally complete a trade while aggregating contracts — and also add a talented, highly paid player to play next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the NBA’s top scoring duo. Whether that would be Beal, or perhaps a star like Chicago’s Zach LaVine, in other potential scenarios remains to be seen.”
The Milwaukee Bucks could be looking to add a high-level veteran, with Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal as potential targets, per @TheAthletic
“Per league sources, the Bucks’ motives would be two-fold: Cut enough salary from their payroll to get under the second apron — the only… pic.twitter.com/wTV27HoLJO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 22, 2025
The Phoenix Suns have been shopping around Beal, who has a no-trade clause.
He would have to waive it for that to happen, but he would most likely gladly do so if that gave him an opportunity to team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Then again, he’s averaging roughly 17 points per game off the bench and has rarely been healthy for the past couple of years.
In LaVine’s case, injuries and health remain a constant concern, along with his history of conflicts with coaches.
Just like Beal, he’s also considered to be overpaid.
However, he’s younger than Beal and having a much better season.
The Chicago Bulls have been trying to trade him for years now, so they most likely won’t make it hard for their divisional foes to get him.
That would also allow their rookie, Matas Buzelis, to step into the starting lineup.
It’ll be interesting to see what the Bucks do to match either of their salaries and, more importantly, whether they will end up being the missing piece they so clearly need.
NEXT: Details Emerge About Bucks’ Interest In Jimmy Butler
