Kings and Bucks explored a Zach LaVine deal. Sacramento demands their 2031 first-round pick, a sticking point for Milwaukee amid Giannis' future.
The Sacramento Kings fell in respectable fashion to the Milwaukee Bucks by a score of 115-98 after nearly storming back from a 26-point deficit, and the matchup had more at stake than some may realize.
As trade season has started to get underway in the NBA, both the Bucks and Kings have become massive players in the entire trade landscape of the league, giving fans and media members alike plenty of reason to believe that the two franchises could seek a deal with each other in the near future.
In fact, a recent report from Forbes' Evan Sidery has indicated that the two sides have conducted talks centered around a player who recently returned from injury to suit up for Sacramento and against Milwaukee.
In hindsight, the return of Zach LaVine to the Kings' lineup could be viewed as a possible audition.
"The Bucks and Kings recently held exploratory trade talks centered on Zach LaVine," Sidery shared via X on Monday afternoon.
"Milwaukee would send out Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis, but Sacramento is adamant about their 2031 1st being involved," Sidery continued.
"With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future, there’s trepidation to include this pick."
Though there will be plenty of hesitation from Milwaukee's general manager Jon Horst to throw their 2031 first-round pick into any deal prior to deadline day on Feb. 5, the Kings must try their hardest to snag that asset in LaVine conversations.
The Kings should be entering this trade season with one goal in mind and one goal only -- Add draft capital and promising young pieces from buyers. Full stop.
If the 2-time All-Star LaVine can only net Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis from a salary cap standpoint, that's one thing, but the inclusion of that shiny, unprotected 2031 first-rounder is the key to the deal.
In 24 appearances for the Kings this season, LaVine has struggled somewhat to increase his trade value from last season, as he's averaging 20.2 points and 2.3 assists on a respectable 57.8% effective field goal percentage.
Both Kuzma and Portis have authored respectable seasons for the Bucks to this juncture, but they are not the kind of players Sacramento is willing to bring in without requesting another valued asset. Milwaukee is aiming to buy this deadline in an effort to supply their 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with another reliable scoring option, and their desperation to do so could lead to them making a rash decision with regard to their draft capital.
With that being said, the Kings have a real opportunity to flex their leverage in this situation, something their front office has had the rare pleasure of doing in seasons past.