The Bucks’ trade discussions aren’t limited to Jericho Sims.
Milwaukee has also weighed potential deals involving Caris LeVert and Kevin Porter Jr. as it looks for ways to resolve its roster crunch without simply releasing players, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
That adds two established guards to the conversation as teams prepare to finalize their regular-season rosters Monday. It doesn’t mean either is certain to move, but the Bucks are exploring their options.
LeVert arrived from Detroit in July in a trade that sent Taurean Prince and Gary Harris to the Pistons. Milwaukee also received two second-round picks, as we reported at the time. His contract expires after this season and pays just under $14.9 million.
Porter exercised his approximately $5.4 million player option in June. He averaged 17.4 points and 7.4 assists in 38 games last season, giving Milwaukee productive minutes despite dealing with a knee injury.
Both offer something another team could use. LeVert can handle the ball, create offense and play multiple perimeter positions. Porter provides another option for a team looking for scoring and playmaking.
The question is finding a deal that helps Milwaukee manage its roster while giving the other side enough reason to participate.
The Bucks have been reshaping their team since trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. With younger guards to develop, they also have decisions to make about how their veteran pieces fit.
Fischer separately reported exploratory talks with the Lakers involving Sims for Dalton Knecht and second-round draft capital, though he also heard pessimism about that deal happening.
So Milwaukee is working on several possibilities. The approaching deadline gives the Bucks a reason to keep talking, but they still need a willing trade partner.
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