Despite interest from the Dallas Mavericks, the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly uninterested in trading beleaguered big man Larry Sanders before the Feb. 20 deadline. Milwaukee fears dealing Sanders now wouldn't net a fair return, ESPN reports.
Dallas reportedly is interested in trying to acquire Sanders before the trade deadline, but Milwaukee doesn't appear willing to field any offers for the 25-year-old.
Per Marc Stein of ESPN:
"Sources briefed on the situation told ESPN.com that teams asking whether the defensive specialist has fallen far enough out of favor with his frustrated bosses to be made available are being turned away. For now. ...
"Milwaukee is said to be fearful that trading Sanders so soon, when his value has taken so many hits in the wake of that October nightclub fight and the Bucks' subsequent nosedive to a league-worst record of 9-40, makes it tough to get something resembling a fair return."
Dallas is interested in trading for Sanders because of his ability on defense. The Mavericks hope, according to Stein, that pairing Sanders with Dirk Nowitzki could recreate the success Dallas enjoyed when Nowitzki played alongside Tyson Chandler.
Sanders, who in December signed a four-year contract extension worth $44 million, missed 25 games after tearing a ligament in his thumb during the nightclub altercation. He's averaging just 8.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
