The Sacramento Kings are a half-game away from being the worst team in the Western Conference, and teams are beginning to put out feelers as trade season approaches.
Sacramento (8-24) has been heavily linked to teams in trade talks, but one team has pulled ahead of the pack in the rumor mill: the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee has been one–and quite possibly the only–team with a legitimate interest in trading for Kings guard Zach LaVine, who has not played in a game since December 14th due to a moderate left ankle sprain.
The Bucks’ interest in LaVine was further emphasized this week, as ESPN’s Jamal Collier reported that Milwaukee has had internal conversations about LaVine and fellow Sacramento guard Malik Monk, whose future with the team has also come into question.
In the meantime, multiple team and league sources say the team has been active in pursuing the trade market, engaging in internal conversations about, among others, Sacramento’s Zach LaVine, whom they have had interest in and chances to acquire in the past, and Malik Monk, as well as Portland’s Jerami Grant.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier on Milwaukee’s interest in Kings guards Zach LaVine & Malik Monk | Dec. 29, 2025
Appeasing superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo appears to be the priority for the Bucks, and rightfully so.
Antetokounmpo, 31, is weighing his future with Milwaukee amid a rocky start to the regular season that has placed the Bucks in a 13-19 hole (11th in the Eastern Conference).
If Milwaukee wants to avoid having to trade Antetokounmpo, who has just one more guaranteed year remaining on his current contract, it has to make a swing. Could LaVine or Monk fit the bill as solid targets for the Bucks?
Although Milwaukee is showing interest in LaVine, who is a sharpshooter with streaky tendencies, it doesn’t make much sense for the Bucks to add another near-$50 million salary without addressing their current rebounding woes.
Entering the new year, Milwaukee is ranked 29th among NBA teams in rebounds and dead last in offensive rebounds. Spacing the floor hasn’t been the problem for the Bucks, as they are third in three-point field goal percentage (39.5%) and sixth in made three-point field goals.
Making salary work in a potential LaVine trade would be tricky, as Sacramento would likely have to part with future draft compensation while also taking back the contracts of players like Kyle Kuzma ($22 million) and Bobby Portis ($13.5 million).
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 21: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket in front of Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2024 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
A move for Monk makes more sense for both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Sacramento Kings.
Monk can bolster the Bucks’ backcourt, providing them with an interchangeable guard who can start or come off the bench. Monk’s $18.8 million salary makes him easier to move than LaVine, and a swap of Monk for Kuzma works financially.
While Monk can’t fix Milwaukee’s rebounding issues, his playmaking and floor-spacing ability could enhance the Bucks’ current strengths in that department as GM Jon Horst looks elsewhere to stabilize the front court.
Sacramento needs more frontcourt depth itself and has been linked to Kuzma for years, although that was when former general manager Monte McNair was at the helm. It remains to be seen how current GM Scott Perry views Kuzma, and whether the Kings would have interest in acquiring the forward for the rest of this season ($22 million) and the 2026-27 campaign ($20 million).
If anything is clear, it’s that the Sacramento Kings will continue to be linked to teams in trade talks, with LaVine, Monk, Keon Ellis, and DeMar DeRozan being at the forefront of those conversations as the February 5th trade deadline approaches.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
Injuries continue to hinder the Sacramento Kings’ 2025-26 season, as starting forward Keegan Murray has suffered a mild right calf strain.
Murray exited their Tuesday night loss to the Pistons at halftime and did not return.
The Kings announced on Friday, December 26th, that the starting forward will be re-evaluated in one week. That will cause him to miss at least four games against the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics.
Keep in mind that re-evaluation is a somewhat loose term that does not guarantee he will return by that date.
After missing the first 15 games of the season with a torn UCL in his left thumb, Murray had averaged 14.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 43.8 percent from the field and a mere 26.3 percent from three on 5.1 attempts per game.
Starting in all but one game since returning to action, replacing Murray’s defensive versatility will be a tall task for Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie.
Another King goes down; Keegan Murray sidelined
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Tuesday, December 30th – @ Los Angeles Clippers – 8:00 PM PT
Thursday, January 1st – vs. Boston Celtics – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, January 2nd @ Phoenix Suns – 6:00 PM PT
Saturday, January 4th – vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, January 6th – vs. Dallas Mavericks – 6:00 PM PT
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