The Milwaukee Bucks are set to be one of the most intriguing teams to follow this offseason. Their urgency—or potential unraveling—could trigger significant roster movement across the league, and the Sacramento Kings might find themselves involved in that shake-up.
The central question in Milwaukee revolves around the future of veteran star. After three straight first-round playoff exits, will the two-time MVP finally decide it’s time to move on?
If he chooses to stay and give the Bucks one more shot, the front office will be under immense pressure to make bold, franchise-changing moves to build a stronger supporting cast around him. That’s where Sacramento could come into play.
The Bucks aren’t in an ideal position to completely revamp their roster, especially with Damian Lillard sidelined by a torn Achilles—leaving Giannis Antetokounmpo without a true co-star for the 2025–26 season.
That’s where DeMar DeRozan enters the picture.
As John Sbisa of Behind the Buck Pass noted, “Even if the Bucks re-sign [Gary] Trent this summer, they will need to add another piece to be competitive while Lillard recovers.”
Sbisa added, “In the epitome of a win-now move, one way to make that happen involves dealing Kyle Kuzma to the Kings for DeMar DeRozan.”
The potential trade could give Milwaukee a proven scorer to support Giannis in Lillard’s absence, while Sacramento gains a younger, versatile forward in Kuzma—possibly as part of a broader roster shake-up.
The NBA writer proposed the following mock trade:
Bucks receive: DeMar DeRozan
Kings receive: Kyle Kuzma, 2025 second-round pick, 2031 second-round pick
DeRozan’s consistency, durability, and veteran presence make him an appealing fit for Milwaukee. He could serve as a steady secondary option alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, helping ease the scoring burden—especially with Damian Lillard out due to injury.
From Sacramento’s perspective, Kuzma is a player they’ve shown interest in before. While the context has changed, a new general manager may value bringing in a younger, versatile forward like Kuzma along with additional draft assets.
The Kings are expected to be active in the trade market this offseason, and a deal involving DeRozan wouldn’t come as a surprise.