The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers could be looking at a potential trade later this season.
The Bucks’ motivation to make a deal includes attempting to turnaround their season while the Lakers are trying to build a championship-contending rotation.
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The Bucks have a couple of pieces that could intrigue the Lakers’ front office, at the right price.
Recently, on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania reported, “The Lakers are actively looking for a big man to add to their lineup…They have assets and contracts to play with.”
Charania added, “I don’t think that they have fully targeted a name yet.”
In previous reports, it was made known that the Bucks have been desperately calling just about every team in the league in search of a trade partner. Milwaukee could offer up one of their bigs to pique the interest of the Lakers.
While a Brook Lopez deal appears unlikely due to his value alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, a trade of Bobby Portis would make more sense. Also, the Lakers would have to part with more value in order to land a player of Lopez’s caliber.
A potential deal could look something like the following:
Bucks receive: Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, one first-round pick
Lakers receive: Bobby Portis
This move would give the Bucks more options to play on the wing since Khris Middleton remains without a timeline for his return from injury. Reddish would also add to the team’s underwhelming athleticism. Vincent would give coach Doc Rivers another cromulent ballhandler behind Damian Lillard. Between him and Delon Wright, the backup point guard role would be covered. The first-round pick would be the most valuable piece for Milwaukee’s front office, as they own minimal future draft capital.
The Lakers would agree to this deal to land a big that they reportedly are in the market for. While Portis primarily plays the four, he could slide into the center position in times of need. However, Portis doesn’t offer much defensively in terms of rim protection. Portis would bring the Lakers another relatively reliable scorer along with much-needed size.
The presence of Portis would slightly alleviate the extreme workload being given to Anthony Davis.
If the Lakers’ front office were willing to part with more significant young talent and draft capital, they could land a more expensive Lopez. This proposed deal involving Bobby Portis could appease both teams, though.
