Report: Bucks' Middleton, Portis, Connaughton available for trade

The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to make a splash this trade deadline.

Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton are all expected to be available in potential deals for an impact player, sources told ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst.

Middleton has struggled to stay healthy over the past few seasons. He missed the first 21 games of this campaign recovering from offseason ankle surgeries and has only appeared in 19 games since his return. He was recently removed from the Bucks' starting lineup in favor of Taurean Prince.

The 33-year-old Middleton is having one of his worst statistical seasons, averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. He holds a $34-million player option for next season.

Portis, 29, has been a consistent scorer off the Bucks' bench since joining the team ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. He's averaging 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 24.7 minutes of action this season. Portis could become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his $13.4-million player option.

Connaughton has been in and out of the Bucks' rotation all season. He has appeared in 22 games and is producing his lowest averages since joining Milwaukee in 2018, putting up 4.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. The 32-year-old also holds a player option for next season valued at $9.4 million.

The Bucks are looking to surround All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard with the pieces to compete for a championship. They have reportedly been linked to Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal.

Milwaukee only holds its own 2031 first-round pick to include in trades and would need to shed around $6.5 million in a deal to get below the second apron to be able to combine players in a trade.

The Bucks sit fourth in the East at 25-17 entering play Friday. The trade deadline is Feb. 6.