The Milwaukee Bucks have told teams they are looking to add to their roster in hopes of fortifying their struggling squad as the trade season begins, league sources told The Athletic. The Bucks are 11-16 and have not won consecutive games since October.
Milwaukee suffered a 127-82 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, one of the largest defeats in franchise history. The loss came three days after the Bucks defeated the Boston Celtics without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is sidelined with a right calf strain.
The Bucks are barely holding on to the final Play-In Tournament spot in the Eastern Conference. Trade rumors involving Antetokounmpo have surfaced during the regular season as the two-time MVP and team have expressed displeasure with early results.
The Athletic confirmed Milwaukee has done due diligence on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine recently and has shown interest in him in the past. The revelation shows the Bucks might be willing to take a significant swing rather than adding around the periphery.
Milwaukee’s messaging could change as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches, sources said. The Bucks waived Damian Lillard five months ago and added big man Myles Turner on a four-year, $107 million deal.
The Bucks have a group of younger guards including Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. who have been regulars in coach Doc Rivers’ rotation. All are 6-foot-5 or shorter.
Milwaukee essentially has no wings who have earned Rivers’ trust following Taurean Prince’s neck injury and subsequent surgery. This has led Rivers to use mismatched lineups featuring either three guards or three bigs.
The Bucks have four bigs who have contributed all season: Antetokounmpo, Turner, Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis. Green, one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters, has missed the last three games with a left AC joint sprain.
General manager Jon Horst can only move one first-round pick at this year’s trade deadline. The Bucks’ summer moves left their remaining first-round picks intact, though Horst could move up to three starting on draft night.