The Milwaukee Bucks are monitoring Zach LaVine’s situation in Sacramento, according to a new report from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Though it doesn’t sound all that serious on the Bucks side, Scotto provided some context.
“The Milwaukee Bucks have conducted background due diligence on LaVine and others around the league, as usual, sources told HoopsHype. However, nothing is imminent as Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo nears a return from a low-grade adductor strain.
Should Milwaukee’s interest in LaVine become more serious, 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.”
LaVine’s contract includes $47.5 million this season and $48.97 million player option next season. The money situation would probably require some maneuvering by including other teams. A report earlier this week indicated LaVine’s trade market could open up if LaVine were to bypass his player option. A 30-year-old Kyle Kuzma would not fit into the idea of a rebuild on the floor, but his contract this year ($22 million) and next ($20 million) is a lot cheaper than LaVine’s and would be an expiring deal next season.
Some other tidbits from Scotto’s report:
- “Sabonis has been disappointed with Sacramento’s downward trajectory since reaching the playoffs and his usage at times under coach Doug Christie”
- “Many executives around the league have been surprised by Ellis’ declining playing time with the Kings this season despite his valuable 3-and-D skillset. Some executives around the league were surprised when the Kings didn’t decline Ellis’ $2.3 million team option for this season and work on a new deal with him when he would’ve been a restricted free agent this past summer and had leverage.”
- The Indiana Pacers are one of the teams showing some interest in Keon Ellis.
As always with these reports, you have to wonder who is saying what and for what purpose. There are reasons these things surface so it all must be taken with a grain of salt. There are a lot of reports trickling out about the Kings, so all stakeholders involved, including agents and the Kings themselves, are likely trying to get their angles into the discussion.
I’ll take Kuzma Portis and whatever throw and they have. To make the salaries work hell I’d give them a couple second rounders if they wanted it. Portis and Keegan on the front line flip DDR for John Collins or Monk for Isaac
I don’t think the Bucks give up Kuzma and Portis. That would decimate their big man depth.
I would crack me up if the Kings trade all of their guards for a bunch of fours. Send out LaVine, DDR, and Monk for Kuzma, Portis, Collins and Isaac would be quite the 180.
Perry, “Too many guards you say, well now you we have all the expensive backup fours!!!”
I was thinking the same thing about all the forwards and how hilarious that would be. I think there would have to be a third team.. because they would be like 4 players because they have to send back at 40 million.. you’ve got Kuzma at 21.8 portis at 13.5, Cole Anthony at 13.1 , Trent Jr 3.9, Porter Jr, 5.1.. it would have to be creative
Kyle Kuzma is Zach LaVine without LaVine’s single elite skill. Portis is a good player, but he’s 30, so not young enough to be part of the next good Kings team. If the Kings are rebuilding (Narrator: They are not), I don’t see the point unless the Kings are doing one of cutting salary, getting younger or acquiring picks. Maybe you can flip Portis for a mid-late first? You’re not getting a first for LaVine, so that deal does makes some sense.
Why do I think there’s a three team deal that involves acquiring both Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma?
I’ve tried a number of different times on how to get LaVine to the Bucks, but I just don’t think it is possible. The contracts just don’t pencil out. I then got to thinking that the Clips are rumored to want DDR for more offensive firepower. The conclusion I came to is it makes sense both financially and fit for LaVine to go to the Clips and DDR to the Bucks.
DDR for Kuzma works straight up, but I would hope that Perry gets some second round picks or a protected first out of it as well. Bucks get a go to scorer to take the pressure off Giannis and the Kings get worse, but longer.
As to LaVine, the Clips have the contracts to pull it off and also have the defense to hide LaVine. Zach, Keon, and McDermott for Collins, Batum, Dunn, and Bogi. Clips get arguably the two best players in LaVine and Keon but the Kings get 4 expiring deals. It would be a complete cap reset for the Kings. Any or all of those 4 players could be flipped again. If need be Bogi and Batum have TOs and Dunn is non-guaranteed in 26-27.
None of those trades are pretty, but it clears the deck for a proper rebuild. The Kings could potentially have the most cap space next summer by clearing nearly $50M in guaranteed salary.
I think it would be worthwhile to keep Collins
I would rather trade LaVine to the Wizards for Middleton(33 mil. expiring), Kispert and a first probably protected.Kispert is a shooter and backup Murray.
Also like the trade Sabonis to the Warriors for Kuminga, Moody, Heild and Trace Jackson Davis. Possibly could trade Heild for whatever.
Trade Monk, Ellis and Carter to the Nets for Nic Claxton. Now you have a really good center replacement for Sabonis.
Starters: Schroder. Moody, Murray, Kumings and Claxton. All but Schroder young.
Also some really good backups. IMO Trace J. Davis can be a good backup center better than Eubanks(expiring) along with Raynaud. I really like Achuiwa at PF.
Oh. I forgot Derozan to the Clippers for Derrick Jones Jr. and Bogi. Jones would also be a good backup at either SF or PF.
Don’t forget our first and maybe one more.
Getting Kuzma wouldn’t make me feel any better about what this team is doing and I’d probably have even less confidence in the team’s direction. The idea of getting someone that Vivek has had a man crush on and is a business partner of would be a huge issue with this team’s future. A business partner is generally someone you want to have a good relationship with so bringing Kuzma to this team with the intention of a future trade or not re-signing him wouldn’t make sense.
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