NBA Insider reveals Bucks may pursue blockbuster trade for an All-Star guard not named Bradley Beal

The Milwaukee Bucks have won four straight games as the trade deadline is two weeks from Thursday.

Rumors have begun swirling regarding Khris Middleton’s future with the team. While the noise could be emanating from the front offices of the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns, the Bucks appear to have an opportunity for a significant pivot.

Trading Middleton, who has grown and developed with Giannis Antetokounmpo since 2013, would be a difficult decision. However, Milwaukee’s front office reportedly has motivation entering trade season, according to The Athletic.

“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,” The Athletic’s Sam Amick, David Aldridge, Tony Jones, Jon Krawczynski, Sam Vecenie and Rebecca Tauber wrote.

LaVine would be an obvious upgrade to the offense compared to an aging Middleton. While his defense is concerning, especially alongside Lillard, the Bucks have one of the better defensive units in the league.

Surprisingly, the coach Doc Rivers-led squad is ranked 28th in the league in fast-break points, LaVine’s athleticism could provide Antetokounmpo with a much-needed running mate in transition, which would lead to easy offense.

LaVine is averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 34 minutes this season. The two-time All-Star is shooting an impressive 45% from three-point range on 7.2 attempts per game. His three-point percentage is the fifth-highest rate in the league. The elite spacing that comes with LaVine would open up the floor significantly for Antetokounmpo and Lillard to operate.

If Milwaukee wants to increase their championship odds, a move for LaVine would place the Bucks amongst the Eastern Conference’s upper echelon of contenders. Entering Wednesday night, the Bucks trail the reigning champion Boston Celtics by five games, and the New York Knicks by three games. The upstart Cleveland Cavaliers hold an insurmountable 11.5-game lead over the Bucks, though.

With Middleton in a diminished role coming off the bench as he nurses tendinitis, an acquisition of a star talent like LaVine would significantly reinforce the Bucks’ relatively mediocre offense. Also, a prime 29-year old LaVine’s future availability is far more certain than 33-year old Middleton.

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