K.C. Johnson said it would be part of the deal trying to get Jimmy Butler to Phoenix
After initial speculation by The Athletic last week that the Milwaukee Bucks could go after someone like Zach LaVine, it seems that speculation has turned into true reporting. Via K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, there appears to be legitimate trade interest from the Bucks to trade for the former two-time All-Star guard:
Per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, the Milwaukee #Bucks do have interest in trading for the Chicago #Bulls All-Star guard Zach LaVine.
Johnson dropped the news during an episode of the Fastbreak on CHSN’s YouTube channel.
(9:16 mark)
youtu.be/Ldv_CHCm3QY?…
— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-01-27T23:37:50.811Z
Though as quickly as the hopes were raised at a potential deal, they were dashed away after Fred Katz of The Athletic said that Bradley Beal would not waive his no-trade clause if he was sent to Chicago. For any potential trade involving LaVine to the Bucks through this path as part of the Jimmy Butler trade, the Suns would need to trade Bradley Beal to the Bulls to be financially compliant. In the deal, it would also mean the departure of Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton for the Bucks to get themselves under the second apron, where they would be hard-capped after aggregating salaries.
LaVine is having the most efficient season of his career this year for the Bulls, shooting 51.2% from the field and 44.4% while scoring 24 points per game. Despite all these swirling rumors around the Bulls’ guard, Jake Fischer reported that LaVine doesn’t want to be traded by the Bulls:
“Sources tell The Stein Line that LaVine, who has put himself in contention for a third career All-Star selection with his strong play for the Bulls thus far this season, would prefer to remain in Chicago beyond the Feb. 6 deadline. LaVine’s name has featured in leaguewide trade chatter virtually all season after the Bulls’ monthslong quest to trade him in 2023–24.”
In any case, Beal’s reported unwillingness to go to Chicago means that Milwaukee would have to find another way to acquire LaVine. Since the Bulls are already hard-capped at the first apron, a three-for-one trade including Middleton, Portis, and Connaughton wouldn’t work. A third team would be needed to receive some of the Bucks’ outgoing salary.