The NBA rumor mill is swirling with renewed intensity as the Milwaukee Bucks, desperate to reassert themselves in the Eastern Conference, set their sights on a blockbuster move involving Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine. The potential trade, surfacing as of January 13, 2026, would see LaVine donning Bucks green while the Kings receive a package centered on Cole Anthony, Bobby Portis, and Kyle Kuzma. For two franchises at crossroads, the stakes couldn’t be higher—and the implications could reshape both teams’ trajectories for years to come.
Let’s set the scene: Milwaukee, once the proud home of an NBA championship, has watched its grip on the East loosen in recent seasons. Despite the continued brilliance of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have slipped to 11th place in the conference with a 17-22 record as of January 12, 2026. They’re just one-and-a-half games out of the play-in picture, but the margin for error is razor-thin. The Bucks’ offensive woes are glaring—they rank 25th in scoring at 112.9 points per game and sit 22nd in offensive efficiency. For a team that once prided itself on relentless attack and defensive tenacity, these numbers raise eyebrows and blood pressure alike.
Meanwhile, over in Sacramento, the Kings find themselves in an even more precarious position. Years of chasing marginal gains have left them without a sustainable foundation. They’re languishing near the bottom of the Western Conference, outpaced by teams either on the rise or committed to rebuilding from the ground up. Their draft capital is limited, and their trade assets are hardly the envy of the league. The mood in California’s capital? Restless, to say the least.
Enter Zach LaVine. The 30-year-old guard has been steady, if not spectacular, for the Kings this season. Just two nights ago, he posted 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting (including 3-of-6 from deep) and grabbed two rebounds in a 111-98 victory over the Houston Rockets. According to Leo Sells, Kings correspondent, “LaVine saw just 28 minutes of action on Sunday, but he was still able to put up a decent performance with 18 points on solid shooting splits. He has been good, but not great lately and will likely continue to be for the foreseeable future.”
Yet, it’s precisely LaVine’s offensive versatility that has Milwaukee intrigued. The Bucks’ front office, led by GM Jon Horst, recognizes the urgent need for a secondary scorer to relieve the pressure on Antetokounmpo. With Damian Lillard’s departure and a backcourt rotation that’s underwhelmed—Myles Turner, Gary Trent Jr., Amir Coffey, and Cole Anthony have all failed to meet expectations—the Bucks are in the market for reliable firepower. LaVine, a three-level scorer who doesn’t monopolize the ball, fits the bill. He’s an elite shooter, ranking in the NBA’s top 100 in shooting percentages across the board, and his ability to stretch defenses could open up the floor for Antetokounmpo’s signature drives and post-ups.
But what about the Kings? For Sacramento, moving LaVine isn’t about waving the white flag—it’s about resetting the timeline and gaining flexibility. In the proposed deal, they’d acquire Cole Anthony, a 25-year-old guard with creation upside despite an inefficient year from deep; Bobby Portis, a productive veteran with a reasonable contract who could stabilize the rotation or be flipped later; and Kyle Kuzma, whose scoring profile and contract structure offer further optionality. None of these pieces are franchise-changers, but they do provide something Sacramento has sorely lacked: breathing room. In an NBA landscape where sellers no longer command premium returns, this shift toward flexibility could be the Kings’ best shot at long-term relevance.
Of course, the Bucks’ gamble isn’t without risk. LaVine’s defensive limitations are well-documented, and his contract is hefty—he’s owed $47.4 million this year with a player option for $48.9 million in 2027-28. But Milwaukee has room to maneuver, sitting $11.5 million under the luxury tax and $19.5 million below the first apron. The real challenge? Matching salaries and finding enough draft capital to sweeten the pot. The Bucks own five first-rounders through 2032 but control only the 2031 and 2032 picks outright, with most second-rounders already spoken for. “Here is the problem for the Bucks: they would need a third team to do a deal for LaVine,” reported The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jim Owczarski. The trade math is complicated, but not impossible.
There’s also the Ja Morant factor. Milwaukee has reportedly shown interest in the Memphis Grizzlies’ embattled point guard, who is averaging 19.0 points, 7.6 assists, and 3.2 rebounds this season but has played only 18 games due to injury and suspension. Morant’s athleticism and rim pressure could offer a different dimension alongside Antetokounmpo, but his shooting struggles and off-court issues make him a riskier bet. “Morant and LaVine would definitely improve the Bucks’ offensive production,” noted one league insider, but the consensus is that LaVine’s fit—especially in halfcourt sets—might be cleaner for Milwaukee’s current roster.
As for Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ franchise cornerstone has not requested a trade, but his desire to contend is no secret. With a player option looming in 2027, Milwaukee’s urgency is palpable. They can’t afford to waste another year of Giannis’ prime, especially with the specter of missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade hanging over their heads. Bringing in LaVine would signal to Antetokounmpo—and the rest of the league—that the Bucks are serious about staying in the championship conversation.
For Sacramento, the calculus is different. Years of “shortcut” moves have left them in limbo. This proposed trade isn’t a panacea, but it’s a step toward alignment and clarity. “What this would do is force alignment,” wrote one analyst. “Milwaukee would be choosing to push forward, accepting risk to remain relevant in a crowded Eastern Conference. Sacramento would be acknowledging that its current path has run its course and that flexibility, not familiarity, offers the best chance at eventual progress.”
As the trade deadline approaches, both franchises are at a crossroads. Will the Bucks pull the trigger and bring LaVine to Milwaukee? Will the Kings embrace a new era of flexibility? The NBA’s ever-shifting landscape guarantees nothing, but one thing’s for sure: both teams are searching for answers—and the next move could define their futures.
With the deadline clock ticking and rumors swirling, fans in Milwaukee and Sacramento alike are holding their breath. Whether the proposed LaVine deal materializes or not, the urgency on both sides is unmistakable. The Bucks want to prove they’re still contenders. The Kings want a path forward. In the high-stakes world of NBA trades, clarity is sometimes the most valuable asset of all.
