Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the target of trade speculation ever since the Bucks were ousted in the first round of the playoffs, but a rival general manager indicated that Milwaukee hasn’t been willing to discuss deals involving the two-time MVP.
Appearing Friday on ESPN Radio’s Houston affiliate (YouTube link, hat tip to Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire), Rockets GM Rafael Stone said he wasn’t able to make any headway on a major deal with the Bucks. League rules preclude Stone from commenting on specific players, but he responded to a question from the hosts about “the big man from Greece in Milwaukee.”
“I deal well with (Bucks general manager) Jon Horst, I really like him,” Stone said. “Jon was very clear that they weren’t doing anything. So that was that.”
Numerous stories have indicated that the Bucks don’t plan to pursue an Antetokounmpo trade unless he requests one. There have been multiple reports this summer that Antetokounmpo is still assessing his future in Milwaukee to determine if he can win a title there, but he hasn’t made any public comments to indicate that he wants out.
Antetokounmpo is currently focused on representing Greece in EuroBasket, which ends a couple weeks before the start of NBA training camps, so it’s probably too late in the offseason for him to ask for a trade. His current contract runs through the 2026/27 season, and he holds a $62.8MM player option for the following year.
Horst has been aggressively maneuvering to keep the Bucks in title contention in an effort to convince Antetokounmpo to stay. With Damian Lillard lost for next season with an Achilles tear, Horst waived and stretched the $112.6MM that Lillard had left on his contract for the next two years, creating enough cap space to sign center Myles Turner away from Indiana.
Horst also added Gary Harris, Jericho Sims and Cole Anthony through free agency and re-signed free agents Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins and Taurean Prince.
Trade for Miles Bridges and sign Malik Beasley to join Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr
Trade Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr and a 1st for a starting PG
After all this meaningless speculation by sports media, somehow, Horst wasn’t interested in trading a generational talent who wanted to stay with the team.
And the Warriors fans that post here are undaunted, and will continue to fantasize about trade scenarios.
When did Giannis say he wanted to stay in Milwaukee?
He hasnt. He refused every time he was aked. That’s why we got rumors. Giannis could shut everybody up. But he hasn’t.
Also, any GM that says he didn’t listen to an offer is lying.
He said it on a stream with some Twitch guy earlier in the summer and then again at a convention earlier this month. So you’re wrong.
Kind of late in the off season to be requesting a trade. So many pieces and salary moved around the nba.
I’m pretty sure the GMs talked earlier in the offseason and Stone is just reflecting on that. No way this is a recent conversation. This probably all happened before Durant got traded for.
Why aren’t Bucks talking to Brogdon. Or trying for Grimes in a sign-n-trade or Kuminga. Even Beasley now ……
I thought for sure Spurs would go after Giannis. Bucks could have rebuilt in one year. I was more sure of this than KD going to Rockets. As it is. Rockets got a good deal. Don’t get what Bucks are waiting for. They have no top picks. And no real cap space coming. They are only wasting time at this point. Theirs and Giannis.
The Bucks aren’t talking to Brogdon because
1. He has something lined up with Golden State (they have roster spots and possibly more than the minimum to offer).
2. They already have all their roster spots filled (plus Amir Coffey competing with Andre Jackson)
3. They already have KPJ, Trent, and Green who are all better / healthier players.
Beasley might be okay returning to MIL on the minimum in a worst case scenario (but probably not since he had a down year there), but surely will prioritize whoever can offer the most money and opportunity given how his free agency went off the rails.
None of those players are better than Grimes or Kuminga now. And certainly none of them have better futures. And Beasley is probably better than all of them too. You must be their GM.
You understand this thread and posts. Are about Giannis wanting to stay. The Bucks would be lucky to finish top 5. In a weak East. Bucks have ZERO players that represent their future. Thats what Grimes and Kuminga do. Two players that you can get cheap now. Giannis will be gone sooner than later.
“None of those players are better than Grimes or Kuminga now”
Who aren’t Unrestricted Free Agents. What a concept.
“Giannis will be gone sooner than later.”
Trading the best player in franchise history never works out. You should know that.
No shot you just called Giannis the best Buck of all time lmao
He’s the franchise leader in 25 categories and spent twice as much time in MIL as Kareem.
Kareem won 3 MVPs in a watered down league and has as many championships to show for it as Giannis: One.
Brogdon ain’t going back to Milwaukee. He would rather go to Europe than go back there. This is well documented.
Giannis has stated several times that he is not looking to leave. The stories are fun to get clicks and all, but it ain’t happening.
I don’t get why people insist they trade a generational talent, that wants to be in Milwaukee. They have an aggressive ownership group that is willing to spend, and the East is weak.
Those “multiple” rumors of Giannis “wanting out” or “assessing his future” are from one source seeking clickbait at ESPN. I won’t say his name.
No, he hasn’t made public comments that he wants out, but he HAS made public comments that he wants to stay, including one earlier this month he wants to spend his entire career in Milwaukee.
Why are you not reporting this?
Blame Shams