The Milwaukee Bucks improved to 26-18 on the season following their 125-110 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a monster game, pouring in 35 points to go with 18 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. Damian Lillard also scored 25 points in addition to five rebounds, eight assists, and a block.
But perhaps the biggest, and most pleasant, surprise performance came from Khris Middleton, who had 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists off the bench while shooting 10/13 (2/5 from three) from the floor.
Given recent trade rumblings, one has to wonder if this was one of the last times those three will be on the floor as teammates.
The Milwaukee Bucks Are Reportedly Interested in Trading for Chicago Bulls Star Zach LaVine
As reported here earlier, Milwaukee has expressed interest in trading for two-time All-Star Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls. Per the report, the Bucks want to try to trade for LaVine in a multi-team blockbuster that would involve the Phoenix Suns and Bradley Beal along with the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler.
LaVine is averaging 24.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 51/44/79 from the floor this season.
Of course, adding LaVine would give the Bucks a consistent third option alongside Giannis and Lillard, and would theoretically make them better on both sides of the floor.
The problem, however, is that Milwaukee is in the second apron of the NBA luxury tax. In addition to having to trade away Middleton and Bobby Portis to acquire LaVine, they also would need to find a team willing to take on Pat Connaughton and his contract in order for them to get under the second apron and allow them to do the trade.
Milwaukee Bucks Fans React to the Charlotte Hornets Emerging as a Potential Destination for Pat Connaughton
Connaughton has fallen out of favor with Bucks fans over the years for his reckless style of play. While he was a contributing member of the 2021 NBA Championship team, he is not the player he once was. Currently, he only gets minutes when other players are out or during garbage time in games.
Earlier today, it was reported that the Charlotte Hornets have emerged as a team that would be willing to take on Connaughton’s contract for the rest of the season, a development fans were ecstatic about:
As mentioned weeks ago… a huge domino https://t.co/Lqnp3bDjou
— K (@AZSports9292) January 27, 2025
Pat will love it in Charlotte#hivementality https://t.co/OKedXG7er4
— FreakTime 🦌⌚️ (@RunNDunkMan) January 27, 2025
The 2021 nostalgia is dying bucks fans !!!! https://t.co/hOvNuFPF03
— BrewMasterMurphy (@tfromfranklin) January 27, 2025
Let’s stop the pillow talk already and make this happen. https://t.co/TuGoE0jO10
— Dan Buhler (@FBuhlersDayOff) January 27, 2025
Of course, the Hornets may want draft compensation from Milwaukee or another team involved in the potential trade in exchange for taking on Connaughton’s contract. With the NBA trade deadline just two weeks away, this is certainly a situation worth monitoring.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- Why Bucks Guard Damian Lillard Is an All-Star
- Bucks’ Critical Role Player to Miss 2nd Straight Game Due to Personal Reasons
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