Central Notes: Giannis, Bucks, Cavs, Pistons, Duren

While trade speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo has picked up again this month, a number of rival executives around the NBA believe there may not be resolution on the Bucks star until the offseason, writes Sam Amick of The Athletic.

The outlook on Antetokounmpo could change if he makes an explicit trade request ahead of the February 5 deadline, Amick acknowledges, but he notes that teams would be better positioned to make a blockbuster deal during the summer, when they have more cap and roster flexibility and there’s less mystery surrounding draft picks.

Asked this week about the rumors swirling around his teammate, Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. referred to them as “false information,” per Eric Nehm of The Athletic (Twitter link).

“At the end of the day, everyone needs to wait until Giannis says something,” Porter said. “Because all this is just he say, she say, and I guarantee when we start winning as we go 8-0, 9-0, you won’t see nothing about the Bucks. You won’t see, ‘Oh, the Bucks are 8-0, 9-0, they’re flourishing and Giannis is…’ We’re not going to see any of that positive news. So at least for me, this is the last time I’m going to answer anything false.”

We have more from around the Central:

• The Bucks, who vowed during their four-day layoff to remain competitive and get back in the playoff picture with Antetokounmpo inactive, backed up those comments on Thursday with a 116-101 win over Boston. After scoring 31 points in that game, Kyle Kuzma said the 11-15 team still has plenty of work to do, according to Nehm. “We gotta do it again,” Kuzma said. “This all does not mean anything if we come out soft (the next game). If we come out not playing hard, then we’re two steps back. … Be aggressive, both ends.”
• The Cavaliers have had five days off since losing to Golden State last Saturday, but that hiatus was hardly a vacation. As Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required) details, the team – which is off to an underwhelming 14-11 start – held an “uncomfortable” film session on Tuesday in which head coach Kenny Atkinson didn’t hold back his criticism. “He just called us out,” forward De’Andre Hunter said. “He broke down exactly what we needed to do, exactly what we haven’t been good at. We watched it. As a whole team, it’s not the easiest thing to see when you’re not doing well, but we saw a lot of that. It was definitely a tough, tough, hard film session. But I think we needed it. I think it’s gonna help us in the long run.”
• In a mailbag for Pistons.com, Keith Langlois explores whether there’s room in the Pistons‘ rotation for Marcus Sasser, considers what Jaden Ivey‘s role will look like going forward, and explains why he’s dubious about the idea that Detroit would make a real play for Anthony Davis this season.
• Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic (video link) breaks down film to explain how center Jalen Duren has emerged as the Pistons‘ second star ahead of his restricted free agency in 2026.