Report: Bucks remain interested in Zach LaVine

The NBA trade deadline is just three weeks away, meaning that players like Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine will continue to see their names pop up in trade rumors and reports.

As the Kings continue to evaluate the future of LaVine and other players on their roster, one team remains interested in the two-time All-Star: the Milwaukee Bucks.

Milwaukee has been linked to LaVine since the start of the season, and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel‘s Jim Owczarski added more fuel to the fire with his report this week that signaled more interest from the Bucks front office.

According to Owczarski’s report, Milwaukee has “legitimately serious interest” in trading for LaVine or Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

The Bucks (17-22) have gotten off to a lackluster start and are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, 1.5 games outside the postseason picture.

Making a splashy move appears to be the priority for Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst, and a move for Morant or LaVine would certainly raise some eyebrows around the league.

Zach LaVine gives the Kings their first lead of the night 🙌 pic.twitter.com/CL5zg9oWKB

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 13, 2026

More on the Bucks & Zach LaVine

Appeasing superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo appears to be the priority for the Bucks, and rightfully so.

Antetokounmpo, 31, told The Athletic‘s Sam Amick last week that he isn’t seeking a trade out of Milwaukee, but the Bucks would be wise to keep their franchise centerpiece happy.

If Milwaukee wants to avoid further drama with Antetokounmpo down the line, who has just one guaranteed year remaining on his current contract, it has to swing. Could Zach LaVine fit the bill as a solid target for the Bucks?

Although Milwaukee is showing interest in LaVine, who is a sharpshooter with streaky tendencies, it doesn’t make much sense for the Bucks to add another near-$50 million salary without addressing their current rebounding woes.

Entering the new year, Milwaukee is ranked 27th among NBA teams in rebounds and dead last in offensive rebounds. Spacing the floor hasn’t been the problem for the Bucks, as they are second in three-point field goal percentage (39.5%) and sixth in made three-point field goals.

Making salary work in a potential Zach LaVine trade would be tricky, as Sacramento would likely have to part with future draft compensation to offload LaVine’s contract. Taking back players like Kyle Kuzma ($22 million) and Bobby Portis ($13.5 million) would likely be the main return, unless a third team is involved, but it’s unclear how far those talks have progressed between the two teams.

LaVine, who is averaging 19.9 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and nearly 40 percent from three-point land, is making $47.9 million this season and has a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

The 30-year-old returned last week from a lengthy absence that was due to an ankle sprain–and returned against the Bucks, nonetheless.

“I think that there’s been trade talks with a lot of teams,” Zach LaVine said of returning against Milwaukee, the team he’s been linked to the most this season.

“I don’t think I worry about that. I think that’s your guys’ job to try to put some storylines out there. You can run with them.”

The NBA trade deadline is on Thursday, February 5th, at 12 pm PT.

We’ll know a lot more about Zach LaVine’s future, as well as several other players on the Kings roster, by the time the clock hits noon and the deadline passes.

Until then, expect plenty more rumors, reports, and chaos to unfold around the league as teams look to upgrade their rosers for a postseason push–or in Sacramento’s case, re-tool for the future.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Old friend Mike Brown will return to face the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night for the first time since his firing as head coach last season.

Brown, who was hired as the head coach of the New York Knicks during the offseason, has coached the Knicks to a 25-14 record thus far, second in the Eastern Conference standings.

Over two-plus seasons as head coach of the Kings, Brown posted a record of 195-107 (.549), snapped a 17-season playoff drought in 2022-23, and secured unanimous Coach of the Year honors the same season.

Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. New York Knicks action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.

Mike Brown: “I wanna thank the Kings…Vivek gave me an opportunity…We enjoyed Sacramento, fans fabulous…Change happens…feel blessed to be in this situation with Knicks”

On his former Kings on the Spurs: “I’m so happy for Fox…& Harrison Barnes…Both tremendous human beings…” pic.twitter.com/dYLtgmSpKc

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 15, 2025

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season

• Wednesday, January 14th – vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 PM PT
• Friday, January 16th – vs. Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM PT
• Sunday, January 18th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 6:00 PM PT
• Tuesday, January 20th – vs. Miami Heat – 7:00 PM PT

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