The Milwaukee Bucks face major choices as the NBA trade deadline approaches, with the season continuing to slip away. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains sidelined with a calf injury, leaving Milwaukee without its centerpiece during a critical stretch. The Bucks sit at 11 – 17 on the year and trail the final play in spot by one and a half games, adding urgency to the decisions ahead.
Several reports have suggested that Antetokounmpo may be moving closer to asking out as Milwaukee’s path to contention grows murkier. However, NBA insider Chris Haynes pushed back on that idea, saying during his segment on Sports on Prime that the situation is trending in the opposite direction.
What the Bucks and Warriors are looking for on the trade market for @NBAonPrime. pic.twitter.com/Pl2CcXo5AV
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 20, 2025
“The Milwaukee Bucks are in desperate pursuit of trying to look out on the trade to see if they can bring in a difference-maker type of player. One of the guys I identified is Zach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings,” Haynes remarked.
“He is one player they have done their homework on. There haven’t been any concrete serious talks to this point but he is somebody on their radar. Giannis Antetokounmpo has applied pressure on the Bucks to make some moves.”
Bucks shop for Zach Lavine to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo
Haynes said Milwaukee plans to shop for upgrades at the trade deadline to better support Antetokounmpo, with Zach LaVine emerging as a potential target the Bucks view as attainable.
The Bucks have taken this approach before in an effort to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo committed. The Bucks previously swung a major deal for Jrue Holiday when uncertainty surrounded Giannis’ future, a move that ultimately paid off with an NBA championship.
They later pursued Damian Lillard to raise the team’s championship ceiling, but injuries to both stars prevented a deep postseason run and led to first round exits in back to back years.
Myles Turner is the latest big name signed by the Bucks front office as they look to strengthen the roster and keep Giannis Antetokounmpo satisfied. Another move could help steady the Bucks for the rest of the season, but their pool of trade assets continues to thin. Whether a deal materializes may depend on how Antetokounmpo views the team’s fading path to serious title contention.
The Bucks seem to be bracing for the possible end of the Antetokounmpo era and are ready to make any drastic move to prevent it. Adding LaVine is another temporary fix that can only boost their ceiling so much. Giannis could still ask for a trade after the season, and if he does, this deal might leave Milwaukee in an even tougher spot.
