Will Zach LaVine Be Traded to Bucks? Latest NBA Rumors on Kings Star

The Milwaukee Bucks have performed some "background due diligence" on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.

Scotto cautioned that "nothing is imminent" on a trade between the two teams.

The Kings are off to a 5-13 start, though they're only one game off the Memphis Grizzlies for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. They rank 27th in net rating (minus-10.6), per NBA.com.

The franchise badly needs a reset, whether that means an outright rebuild or moving some pieces and chasing a postseason berth.

Milwaukee was linked with LaVine prior to the 2025 trade deadline, prior to his move out west to Sacramento. Reigniting that pursuit makes sense when the cost to acquire him is probably lower now than it was last winter.

The 6'5" guard continues to be an effective scorer. He's averaging 20.5 points on 49.8 percent shooting, and he's knocking down 38.6 percent of his threes. The Bucks saw his offensive prowess firsthand when he dropped 31 points and hit six three-pointers in a 135-133 win for the Kings on Nov. 1.

LaVine Dominates Bucks

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The same general concerns about LaVine remain, however. He's not a good defender. He's offering even less than usual as a playmaker, with his 2.2 assists per game on pace to be a career low. And his $47.5 million salary this season and a $49 million player option in 2026-27 complicate any trade.

The Bucks are 8-10 and 1.5 games out of the 10th seed in the East. They've lost six of their last seven. Getting Giannis Antetokounmpo back from a left adductor strain isn't going to solve everything that's wrong with Milwaukee.

If this persists, then general manager Jon Horst will be compelled to act and utilize what few trade assets he still has.

LaVine is likely an attainable target within that context. Whether he'd make a meaningful difference for the Bucks is another question.