Not much has changed on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade front, Marc Stein writes in his latest article for the Stein Line (Substack link). However, according to Stein, there have been some indications which teams would – and wouldn’t – become players for Antetokounmpo should the Bucks, who lost by 45 points to the Nets on Sunday, make him available.
Teams are waiting for signals from the Bucks that they are open for business, but those signals have yet to come, according to Stein, who hears there have actually been whispers that Milwaukee will actually go the opposite way and look to reinforce the roster around its superstar forward.
If Antetokounmpo does end up on the trade block, some of the teams best positioned to pursue him may not enter the mix. Stein suggests there’s a “growing belief” that the Spurs, Rockets, and Thunder are happy with their current cores and won’t be looking to break them up to try to land the two-time MVP.
We have more from Stein:
- The Lakers‘ loss to the Victor Wembanyama-less Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals helped emphasize L.A.’s dire need for perimeter on-ball defenders, Stein writes. “I think being able to contain the basketball is probably the most difficult thing for our team right now,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said after that game. According to Stein’s sources, the Lakers are hoping to target three-and-D players at the trade deadline, but the player pool – beyond Kings guard Keon Ellis – is relatively limited for now. Stein also notes that Los Angeles’ preferences in any deal would be to bring in a player on a similar age timeline as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who are 26 and 27, respectively.
- Any major moves made by the Hawks during this trade deadline are expected to include Kristaps Porzingis‘ $30.7MM expiring deal, Stein reports. However, he notes the recent announcement that Porzingis would miss the next two weeks due to an unspecified illness could complicate a potential deal, given the similar health problems that limited the Latvian big man during the 2025 playoffs.
- Jalen Johnson is expected to be off-limits in any trade talks for the Hawks. Johnson posted his fourth-straight triple-double on Sunday night, which Stein notes (via Twitter) ties Nikola Jokic for the longest streak this season. Johnson has been instrumental in keeping Atlanta competitive with Trae Young having been limited to just five games this season due to a knee injury. The Hawks have posted a 12-9 record without Young, and Johnson has averaged 23.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game in that span.
- Warriors guard Pat Spencer is viewed as a near lock to have his two-way contract converted to a guaranteed deal, Stein writes. Entering Sunday, Spencer has been active for all 26 Golden State games, meaning he’s over halfway to his 50-game limit. The third-year guard is posting career-highs across the board, averaging 7.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game on .457/.424/.900 shooting splits. The Warriors currently have a full 15-man roster and are only operating about $264K below their hard cap, so they’ll need to make another move before they’re able to convert Spencer.
“December 15 is a key date for the NBA because it’s when most players who signed new contracts in the offseason become eligible to be traded, unofficially kicking off the main NBA trade season ahead of the February deadline” chatGPT
vroom-vroom: cp3, G, zion, davis, morant, cavs, etc.
Most of those players didn’t sign new contracts. Also, Cavs??
Using chatGPT for 3 months makes you use 30% less of your brain. It’s a proven mind-destroyer.
I mean, chatGPT wasn’t wrong. It was the rest of the statement that didn’t make any sense
There are literally a handful of guys more untouchable presently than Jalen Johnson. Team friendly contract absolute skyrocketing superstar. To think that he has made Young expendable is absolutely amazing.
Having to report that Jalen Johnson is untouchable was to state the obvious.
Otoh, the Hawks are probably the most logical trading partner for the Bucks on a Giannis deal if they were willing to give up that Pels pick.
Rumor has it there is a rumor of a Giannis trade rumor and that’s a substantial thing to print.
I sure hope not
Seeds are planted for where Silver wants Giannis. I got a bad feeling and I’ve seen this Lakers movie before. Most recently last season with the luka trade. Wait….Giannis traded to the Lakers for what? Oh, nobody else wanted him, lols. Something smells.
KP would be a throw in for contract matching. The illness is too unpredictable to view him as a dependable player so he would need to be moved for some bottom level guy that is getting overpaid.
I have been talking about Jalen since the draft. Knicks could of had him. But at time were trying to open up cap space. So traded their pick. He has positional size at SF. Big time talent….
I don’t see anyone taking KP. Unless it’s for another bad contract. Or headcase player. How about ——
Enbiid — for KP, Kennard, Risacher ……
KP isn’t a bad contract or a headcase.
But for that package of I’m the Sixers I’m absolutely accepting that. Don’t see Hawks doing it tho
KP isn’t worth his contract. Cause he misses too many games. He’s a FA next yr. And nobody will offer him big money. There is a reason why in 11 yrs he’s been on 5 teams. And now Hawks already talking about moving him (31 mill).
I know Giannas currently is a top 4 player it’s Jokic SGA Luka and him, however he is getting old now at 31 and his style of game won’t age amazingly. I can see why OKC and San Antonio aren’t going all in they have young superstars, are currently winning they don’t want to do anything drastic that could cause issues in the future. However if your a team like Atlanta, Miami or New York, trying to win now but not quite a serious contender then sure why not.
NY I don’t think should give up Brunson or KAT and a deal without those 2 is near impossible.
Miami I don’t think your package is the best for Milwaukee who would then be in a rebuild. Plus if you give up Herro I would have doubts over your ability to be a serious contender.
However for Atlanta I think it could be a fantastic deal.
KP is a great start as an expiring deal and quality player. He’d fit in well with Turner at the 5 and him at the 4. After that Zachary Risacher, from what I’ve seen so far I don’t think he’s all that and moving off him early is better for getting value if your the Hawks.
I’d then throw in the Pelicans unprotected first round pick which is currently at 2nd overall. That’s insane chip in a rebuild and gives the Bucks the choice to choose their next franchise cornerstone.
You wouldn’t even need to add anything for salary matching and if the bucks asked maybe throw in a future first round pick in like 2030.
Hawks
Young Daniel’s Johnson Giannas Okungwu
NAW Kennard … Newell …
Bucks
KPJ Rollins Risacher KP Turner
Anthony Green Kuzma Prince Sims
Hawks have a top 4 player that is best in transition and scoring in the paint plus is one of the best defenders in the league. You have Trae Young one of the best playmakers as your point guard he can also shoot from anywhere on the court. Jalen Johnson as a third option would be up there with the best in the league. Dyson Daniel’s, one of the leagues best perimeter defenders. Okungwu is having a great season and helps space the floor a little. NAW a great sixth man and Kennard a go to sniper.
This team would have the super star, the supporting cast, the defence, the shooting and just need a couple guys for depth.
As for the Bucks you get to start off with a Peterson, Boozer or Dybantsa in the draft as well as your own pick probably top 10. You’ve already got KPJ and Rollins playing well. Risacher is a former top pick and if you’re trying to stay competitive then bring back KP and him and Turner make a really fun big man duo. The Bucks would remain a top side in the east and it’s probably the best package someone’s willing to give up
Bucks trade Giannis it’s to rebuild. Means young talent and picks. There is still a big market for Giannis. Spurs have plenty resources. You trade for Giannis cause you will win chips and contend for 7 yrs. Thats why Thunder or Spurs would look long and hard. They might do it without him. But with him its guaranteed…,
Giannas is 31 so I don’t believe your 7 year window take
Funny how you use a “top 4” because you know Steph Curry is in the top 5.
Actually couldn’t care less. Right now I’d be thinking a healthy Tatum be 5 or on form Cade or Maxey possibly. Even Vic in that discussion
Maxey over Curry? lol you dont know ball then, skill issue
More points rebounds and assists, shooting better FG%, with less turnovers and better defence.
Also has a better team record
The Pels first round pick is almost ruthless to the Bucks. The Bucks will get the less favorable of the Pels and their own first round picks. Since the Bucks suck and will have similar odds to the Pels in the draft, that pick is worthless for them and may backfire if the Bucks pick gets a better pick because of where the ball lands.
What are you on about?
In this mock I say the hawks give the bucks the Pels pick. Currently the pelicans have the second worst record in the league and hence are the favourite for the second overall pick in the draft. Milwaukee has the 12th worst record I believe and hence the best odds at the 12th pick.
Yes the lottery can be cruel and those picks might go from 2 and 12 to 5 and 9 or something but what you’re potentially getting here is your choice out of 3 potentially generational talents.
You’d be stupid to think that this pick is worthless
Here is how the Pels pick works next year. The Hawks get the best of the Pels and Bucks picks and the Bucks get the worse. Since the Bucks also suck thrur record will likely be near as bad as the Pels. So they end up at 9% chance of getting the number one pick compared to the Pels pick having a 14% chance.
That is not a big enough difference to make it a difference maker in the Giannis trade.
Except they would have both picks in that scenario
Thank you!!!!
And as a Hawks fan, we would be stupid to give up that pick for super max salary.
Team is fairly young and once they dump KP money and figure out what to do with Young, that pick should fit right in. Money and age wise. With Young and KP gone at end of season if not sooner, the rest of team on good contracts. Yes I know Young has a player option. The Hawks owner has been on record not wanting to pay tax. So I would hope he isnt dumb enough to give up 70m when JJ making 30 and playing close to triple double every night and the best of Pels or Bucks pick in 26(special draft) and I think again in 27.
Myles Turner rebounds in the last 8 games:
3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 1, 3, 3.
That’s pretty much the reason they are losing games. The guy had double-digit rebounds in only 2 games this season!
What a disappointment for Milwaukee.
They should start thinking about firing gm, that guy is so terrible last 5 years. Ofc in a process they should change coach, Rivers is not really rebuilding coach.
Yeah, their moves recently have been pretty bad. Signing Turner to that contract is one of them, for sure.
They had to hit on a free agent signing when they waived Lillard.
I think the Bucks plan all along was to make Giannis want to leave. I mean, their “big 3” is Giannis/Turner/Kuzma. That’s a joke.
Damn is Turner a worse rebounder than JJJ?
As for Hawks tradez if I’m looking from Hawks view, it ll be Young and all possible picks but not Bucks/Pels 26. That’s too valuable for trade
Actually, the exact opposite. That pick has very little value for the Bucks. The pick is that Atlanta gets to choose EITHER getting the Pels OR the Bucks first round pick and the Bucks get the less favorable.
Since the Bucks also suck this year, their pick is almost as good as the Pels. Since they get one if those two then they are good.
I see a great trade in Trae to Houston. Houston has assets and useful players for the Hawks, I don’t know picks-wise, but have plenty of useful players, and a third team (or fourth or more) could facilitate picks for ATL while netting young players or other assets themselves.
Trae in Houston is the kind of change of scenery that would put him in s great spot, now for a definite contender with a need for PG, spotlight (,which Trae loves and delivers in), playing with KD, I see them developing chemistry, and an overall great team.
Was hoping this was about Thanansis. I’m really excited to see where he lands next and if he can help the G-league team win a championship.