Bucks a 'Serious Candidate' to Land Ex-$132 Million Star After Losing Starter: Report
The Milwaukee Bucks are pressing to land a veteran center after Brook Lopez signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, leaving a void in their frontcourt.
Advertisement
With Lopez off the market, the Bucks appear to be pivoting toward DeAndre Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick. The Portland Trail Blazers recently bought out the last year of his $132.9 million deal, inked in 2022.
In the last 48 hours, Milwaukee has emerged as another team in the mix to add Ayton, who officially became a free agent on Monday after finalizing his buyout.
The Lakers are being linked to Ayton as well. ESPN analyst Bobby Marks predicted Ayton could be Milwaukee-bound. The Bucks' immediate need at center could be met with Ayton's high level of efficiency in the post (14.4 points per game last season).
Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) whose contract was recently bought out by the franchise.© Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
'I would certainly keep an eye on Deandre Ayton as a possible suitor in Milwaukee," Marks said on Monday, per Brew Hoop.
Advertisement
Ayton's arrival would greatly soften the blow of Lopez's departure. Averaging a double‑double in each of the past four seasons, Ayton brings rim protection, rebounding, and efficient scoring. The Bucks appear to be making a run at Ayton to replace Lopez.
"The Bucks have emerged as a serious candidate in the Deandre Ayton sweepstakes. Milwaukee still has the $14.1M non-tax MLE to spend after inking team-friendly deals with Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., and Taurean Prince," NBA analyst Jake Weinbach detailed in a series of X messages on Tuesday. "The Bucks could be preparing to make another splash.
"Even if the Bucks make a strong push for Deandre Ayton, the Lakers should still be regarded as the favorites to land his signature. But if it matters to Ayton, Milwaukee can now offer more cash than LA."
Though past concerns around consistency linger, Milwaukee's structured system might be ideal for maximizing Ayton's skill set. Acquiring him would bolster the Bucks' depth behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Advertisement
Long-time Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski claimed that "Bucks are working on something big."
Related: Rockets Fans Baffled After Giannis Antetokounmpo Report
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
32 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Perez's 2-run double keys Royals over Mariners 6-3 for 2nd win in 10 games
SEATTLE (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a pivotal two-run double in the fifth inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Tuesday night for just their second with in 10 games. Perez lofted a fly ball off Emerson Hancock (3-5) that center fielder Julio Rodríguez lost in the twilight sky and dropped for a two-run double. Rodríguez climbed the center-field wall, trying to rob a home run, but he misjudged the ball and it bounced to the wall as the Royals took a 5-1 lead. Ben Williamson hit an RBI double in the bottom half and scored on J.P. Crawford's single off Michael Lorenzen. Five relievers combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit relief. Lucas Erceg (3-2) entered with two on in the seventh and got a double-play grounder and a groundout, and Carlos Estévez pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 26 chances. Kansas City built a 3-0 lead on Maikel Garcia's run-scoring single in the first and a two-run second that included an RBI double by Nick Loftin, who scored when Kyle Isbel grounded into a forceout. Randy Arozarena homered in the bottom half, his 11th this season and third in four at-bats. Key moment After Angel Zerpa walked Dylan Moore starting the seventh, Cole Young grounded into a double play and Crawford grounded out. Key stat Perez moved past Alex Gordon for sixth place on the Royals hits list with 1,646. Up next Seattle RHP Logan Gilbert (2-2, 3.55) and Kansas City Noah Cameron (2-4, 2.79) started Wednesday in the third game of the four-game set. ___ AP MLB:
CBS News
32 minutes ago
- CBS News
A's hand Rays 3rd-straight loss 4-3
Austin Wynns hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning and the Athletics handed the Tampa Bay Rays a 4-3 loss on Tuesday night, their third straight. The Rays' last three-game skid came against the Phillies at home in early May and they have now lost four of five to last-place teams. Colby Thomas, who got his first career hit earlier, started the 10th on second base and was sacrificed to third by Denzel Clarke. No. 9 hitter Max Schuemann, who was starting in place of Jacob Wilson, the second-leading hitter in the majors who was a late scratch with a sore right hamstring, worked Mason Montgomery (1-2) for a walk ahead of pinch-hitter Wynns. Michael Kelly (2-0) got the win despite allowing two singles and throwing a wild pitch in the ninth. Mason Miller earned his 17th save, although he intentionally walked Jonathan Aranda with two outs and then threw a wild pitch to advance the runners before striking out Brandon Lowe. Max Muncy hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Shea Langeliers had a solo shot in the sixth for the A's. Christopher Morel, Lowe and Danny Jansen homered for the Rays. Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz went seven innings, allowing five hits and matching his career high 11 strikeouts with just one walk. Key moment José Caballero, who stole his 30th base in the second inning, singled to lead off the ninth but was thrown out at second by Langeliers on the next pitch. Key stat With wins in the first two games of the three-game series, the A's have won a series against the Rays for the first time since April 2022. Tampa Bay had won eight-straight home series. Up next Tampa Bay RHP Ryan Pepiot (5-6, 3.36 ERA) is scheduled to start on Wednesday against the Athletics' RHP Mitch Spence (2-3, 3.83).
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dennis Schroder Sends 3-Word Message After Signing With Kings
Dennis Schroder Sends 3-Word Message After Signing With Kings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Sacramento Kings were busy on Tuesday as they made multiple moves to upgrade their roster in free agency. Advertisement Of course, the Kings are looking to bounce back after a disappointing season last year that saw them miss the playoffs once again. San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox© Brett Davis-Imagn Images One key area that the Kings were looking to upgrade this summer was the point guard position, which was a struggle for them last season after they traded star guard De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs at the trade deadline. Entering free agency, the Kings were reportedly targeting both Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder and they were able to sign one of them on Tuesday. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Kings signed Schroder to a three-year, $45 million contract on Tuesday. This was a massive move by the Kings as they now have their starting point guard for next season as they were able to pry him away from returning to the Detroit Pistons. Advertisement After signing in Sacramento, Schroder took to social media where he sent a clear three-word message. 'LETS GO KINGS,' Schroder posted on X on Tuesday. With this message, it is clear that the veteran guard is excited to start a new chapter of his career in Sacramento as he joins the 10th different franchise of his NBA career. Of course, Schroder started last season as a member of the Brooklyn Nets before they sent him to the Golden State Warriors via trade. © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Golden State then traded him to the Pistons as part of the deal that landed them Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. In Detroit, the 31-year-old guard played a large role off the bench behind Cade Cunningham but he will now have a chance to be the starting point guard in Sacramento as they try to compete for a playoff spot next season. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
