One NBA writer is proposing that the Milwaukee Bucks trade Khris Middleton to the Chicago Bulls for Zach LaVine in a massive blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Bucks and Bulls:
The Trade: Khris Middleton, Grayson Allen, MarJon Beauchamp and a 2029 first-round pick to the Bulls for Zach LaVine
“Trading Middleton (and much of its remaining assets) for LaVine would allow Milwaukee to get younger and more dynamic on the offensive end,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “LaVine, 28, has had his own knee trouble in the past, but if that’s behind him, he could add electric scoring, ignitable shot-making and secondary distributing to this attack. Milwaukee could provide him with the kind of defensive protection he’s never had in his career.”
Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season for the Bucks while shooting 43.6% from the field, 31.5% from beyond the arc and 90.2% from the free-throw line. He only appeared in 33 games. The veteran underwent successful surgery on his right knee shortly after the 2023 NBA playoffs, according to Shams Charania and Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Zach LaVine, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls Updates
Middleton agreed on a new three-year, $102 million contract with the Bucks in July. The third year of the deal is a player option.
LaVine has appeared in 348 games with the Bulls. He’s averaging 24.5 points with Chicago and has made two All-Star teams. However, the Bulls have won only one playoff game since acquiring LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2017 in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade.
The 28-year-old LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls in 2022-23. He will make $40 million next season. Chicago missed the playoffs last season after making it in 2022, which is why some NBA execs thought the franchise would rebuild this offseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Zach LaVine, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine is “not happy” his name keeps coming up in trade rumors, a league source told NBA Analysis Network. The Bulls have engaged several teams on LaVine trade opportunities since the 2022-23 season ended and the two-time Slam Dunk champion isn’t pleased by that.
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