The Milwaukee Bucks are a top 4 team in the Eastern Conference and have been without one of their best players in Khris Middleton for most of the season. Even when he has played, Middleton doesn’t seem like himself.

Every major statistic other than his free throw percentage is down from last season.

If Milwaukee wants to compete against other top teams in the East, they’ll need to include him in a deal to bring in someone that can contribute at the level he once did.

According to The Athletic, the Bucks are looking to address that via a trade potentially for Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine.

“Per league sources, the Bucks’ motives would be two-fold: Cut enough salary from their payroll to get under the second apron — the only way the Bucks can legally complete a trade while aggregating contracts — and also add a talented, highly paid player to play next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the NBA’s top scoring duo. Whether that would be Beal, or perhaps a star like Chicago’s Zach LaVine, in other potential scenarios remains to be seen,” Amick wrote. 

A proposed trade could have the Bucks acquire LaVine and forward Julian Phillips in exchange for NBA champions Middleton and Bobby Portis only after guard Pat Connaughton is traded elsewhere in a return with no salary. By moving Connaughton, Milwaukee removes themselves from the restrictions put on by the second apron. More than likely, Milwaukee would have to throw in some future draft capital as well. 

It is imperative the Bucks find a way to move Middleton’s contract to bring in someone to accommodate Lillard and Antetokounmpo. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks have balanced rosters.

It feels like outside of Milwaukee’s two star players, they’re missing one more consistent scoring option. This trade certainly helps them take that next step. This would allow them to add some more confidence on top of their recent winning streak. For Chicago, this is a trade to move LaVine’s contract and rebuild for the future. 

MORE BUCKS NEWS: NBA Insider reveals Bucks may pursue blockbuster trade for an All-Star guard not named Bradley Beal