Milwaukee Bucks Eye Zach LaVine Trade Drama

Merlin sees the Bucks quietly sniffing around Zach LaVine ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline. Sam Amick reports Milwaukee has "done recent due diligence" and showed "interest in the past," but Sacramento's 6 and 19 start, injuries to LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, and LaVine's $47.5 million cap hit make a deal complicated. Sabonis also looks tough to move with years left on his contract. Merlin notes Kings GM Scott Perry is pushing a three to five year rebuild and is "using this season as a patient evaluation campaign," so Sacramento may seek draft capital. The Bucks lack picks and would likely need multiple players or LaVine to accept less pay to get a trade done. Expect quiet, careful talks rather than a headline swap.