Before Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a calf injury Friday night, momentum had been building toward a potential trade of the Bucks star before the February 5 deadline, sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (subscription required).
Antetokounmpo said two weeks ago that requesting a trade is “not in my nature,” and team officials have indicated that they plan to approach the deadline as buyers in hopes of upgrading their roster. However, Fischer states that the Bucks’ poor performance since then has led to “whispers circulating throughout the league” that an Antetokounmpo deal was becoming m0re realistic.
Milwaukee has dropped five of its last six and is currently 2 1/2 games away from the final play-in spot at 18-26. Antetokounmpo called his team “selfish” after falling Wednesday to Oklahoma City, and ESPN’s Shams Charania said during a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show that Antetokounmpo’s frustration level is at “an all-time high.”
Those comments have echoed throughout the league, according to Fischer, who hears from rival team officials and a few well-placed sources that speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo is the number one topic as the deadline approaches, far ahead of potential trades involving Ja Morant, Anthony Davis or Michael Porter Jr.
The impact of Antetokounmpo’s injury, which could sideline him for four-to-six weeks, was still being assessed at mid-day Saturday, Fischer adds. It’s not certain if his absence will lessen the offers Milwaukee gets heading into the deadline or if teams will be willing to strike now in hopes that he’ll be fully recovered after the All-Star break.
Regardless, Fischer cites a growing consensus that the Bucks and their best player are headed toward parting ways, with one source telling him, “This is shaping up to be a draft-day kind of thing.”
In the wake of the injury, Fischer expects Milwaukee to abandon its stated plan of aggressively trying to add talent on the trade market. League sources tell Fischer that the Bucks weren’t making much headway with deals centered around Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis, especially with few draft assets to offer. He notes that Porter, Zach LaVine, De’Andre Hunter, Jerami Grant and Miles Bridges are among the players who have been reported as possible trade targets.
Teams are also reluctant to help the Bucks improve when they might benefit from an eventual Antetokounmpo trade, Fischer adds. Among those teams is Portland, which owns draft picks from Milwaukee in 2028, 2029 and 2030 that could be useful in helping to facilitate a deal sending Antetokounmpo to another team. Fischer states that the Trail Blazers have long been fans of Mikal Bridges and could be incentivized to help the Knicks land Antetokounmpo if they’re able to get Bridges in return.
And what city does Klutch want Giannis in Shams? Lols.
I’m wondering how serious Sixers will be on this. They have a young players and some intriguing assets(clippers). Morey loves star hunting
Something centred around
Towns and og for Giannis and turner
Bucks can’t rebuild unless half their return for Giannis is their own picks back
Of course POR is interested in Mikal Bridges. They want to put the curse to the test.
Sports media’s daily mental calisthenics on Giannis. This season has been so dry with content the speculation has it’s own lore. Eventually the people will tune out.
Normally I would 100% agree with you. But the writing is on the wall now. The only questions left are can Giannis stay healthy enough to help his next team? Which team? and did the Bucks wait too long?
Nobody should be watching this garbage anyway.
OK, this notion (a deal before the deadline) is clearly coming from the team, not Giannis. MIL is likely (becoming) afraid to wait until the summer, even though it will be easier (less complicated) to get a deal done then. The return may be less if Giannis isn’t willing to extend with the team trading for him. Can’t say they’re wrong.
Porzingis, kennard, okongwu, Zach R, the coveted first round swap (bucks pick basically) and another 1st (or 2) for The Greek freak and kuzma. They can tank, gain cap space, add 2 good players and a top rookie. ATL has stars JJ and Giannis with a solid depth plus cap space to sign
One more difference maker.
Get on with it already jeez
after the bucks trade giannis. the only mention of the bucks will be where is the team relocating to