The Bucks “remained engaged with teams that have interest” in trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo over the weekend and submitted counteroffers to a few of them, ESPN’s Shams Charania said on a SportsCenter appearance (Twitter video link; hat tip to Real GM).
Charania listed the Heat, Timberwolves, Warriors and Knicks as “the most serious suitors” so far, although several other teams are rumored to be involved. He adds that it “comes down to the price point” for Antetokounmpo, which means parting with young talent, “a surplus of draft picks” or possibly a combination of both.
The Bucks have been sending mixed signals about whether they intend to part with their franchise player by Thursday’s deadline or wait until the summer in hopes of negotiating a better deal. Charania’s report is the strongest indication so far that Milwaukee is serious about making a trade this week.
The Bucks were hoping to put together a late-season run toward the playoffs and were originally approaching the deadline as buyers with an eye on upgrading the roster and convincing Antetokounmpo to stay. Those plans seemed to change on January 23 when Antetokoumpo suffered a calf injury that will keep him out indefinitely, virtually sinking the team’s postseason hopes. Milwaukee lost its fifth straight game Sunday at Boston and has fallen to 12th in the East at 18-29.
As Charania points out, there are pros and cons to the Bucks waiting for the offseason to make the deal. Interested teams will have additional draft capital to offer, but Antetokounmpo will also have more control over where he wants to go. After making $58.5MM next season, he holds a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28 and can threaten not to re-sign with a team that trades for him if it’s not one of his preferred destinations.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers addressed the trade rumors Sunday in an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Countdown (Twitter video link), stating, “I think everyone will be here” past the deadline. He also said he’s looking forward to the end of the week so speculation can be put on hold for a few months.
“He wants to be a Buck, he loves the city and that’s all I can go by as a coach right now,” Rivers said of Antetokounmpo. “Has it been difficult? Yeah. My favorite day of the year this year will be the day after the trade deadline. I think everyone will be here.”
Rivers added that Antetokounmpo expects to play again this season and is hoping to “get into the playoffs healthy.”
If Bucks want talents, Heat win the offer
If Bucks want draft capital, Warriors win
If Bucks want both, ……
Knicks or Wolves need 4 team trade, …..
This is going to be a massive seven or 8 team transaction. Many of the players we’re reading about in the Hoopsm rumors trade Deadline articles will be involved.
That is why it surprised me that Cleveland already completed the Hunter deal.
If they would have done a subsequent deal, maybe it could have been folded into the Antetokounmpo deal?
Even if they couldn’t aggregate salaries, for the other teams it could have been useful?
And Chicago could have also kept Carter as a salary matching piece plus could have aggregated using Saric …
And Kings could have been looking to aggregate with Hunter…
I really see no merit in not waiting, but then again Chicago and Sacramento are not the smarted teams when it comes to trades… They both added salary so that can also not be a reason to wait…
Maybe there is something to the Warriors offer being the best?
The Warriors efforts to get Giannis is all about this year and next. That’s it.
After curry retires, Butler is gone, and it’s over, those warrior picks will be very valuable.
I don’t think you can say the same for some other teams going after him. They would probably be better for a few years because they have better rosters than the Warriors and more importantly they are younger.
I think that could be something the Bucks look at when assessing draft pick trade compensation?
All this to say, I’m not necessarily in favor of bringing in Giannis for three first round pics plus a truckload of dudes.
Where does that leave Golden State roster wise? Steph, Giannis, and Santos lol
If Bucks are counter offering means warriors are out of it. There is not more they can offer besides draft picks.
Unless they are hoping Golden State sheds some extra players for extra draft picks or takes on a bad salary from a third team netting an extra draft pick in the deal …
GSW could always trade Butler for Paul George and first round pick? :)
Problem is the warriors will have no money for a bench. If you have $180 on 3 players there is no money for any bench players. So you have 3 players and a bunch of G players. That is a bad team.
Indeed, wouldnt be good for GSW or Warriors, certainly not long term.
But that doesnt mean Milwaukee shouldnt suggest it though, not their problem.
It would also increase the value of their first round picks if GSW does that.
It will not happen but they could ask. Bucks are in the driver seat and will ask for the most outrageous trade proposals but why not? They will use the warriors offer for a better offer from another team.
All true, but there’s still the key issue.
Why would Giannis decide to go to a team where he’s almost guaranteed to not be able to win?
I know that makes no sense the warriors team is not much better than the Bucks in a tougher division. Some fans don’t understand that in the NBA you needs top bench to win.
That’s the problem I see as well. Unless they trade Jimmy Butler, they need at least three players to match Giannis’ salary, and that’s only if Draymond Green is included. Leave out Jimmy and Draymond, and the GSW roster becomes impossibly top-heavy.
And because of age & injury status, I doubt MIL wants either Jimmy or Draymond. A third team could possibly help with that, but of course that team will want something in return for helping out.
The Giannis trade won’t be confined to two teams. This will be a massive eight teamer with a lot of helpers with their hands out.
Gary Trent goin to GSW, too
false….yet again. arc likes to regurgitate garbage on the daily.
So what is garbage Larry?? You usually attack comments without facts so can you plain??
I dont necessarilly want Giannis on the Warriors but I wouldnt mind them offering a bunch of post-Steph draft picks.
I think going all in now is more worth than getting some high picks that may amount to nothing 7 years from now
It’s not that the Bucks are losing, it’s how. No matter if they’re up or not, they’ll find a way to lose by 20 or more. No fight, no plan to win.
Counter offer is likely to include
Herro – injury issue
Ware – overrated
JJJ
KJ
Jovic
2 Firsts
2 swaps
Heat 2032 pick would be valuable
Doc Rivers is as unaware as always
Truth !!
He’s posturing to try to increase the offers other teams are willing to make.
Why are there any trade talks? The media repeatedly tells us Giannis never asked for a trade. I don’t think they should trade him until he actually asks for a trade.
Well, I think in a roundabout way he has.
He threw his teammates under the bus last week. I think reading the tea leaves or writing on the wall suggests he’s OK with getting shipped out.
If he won’t re-sign an extension in Milwaukee, they may as well get something for him while they can. That’s likely their thinking?
Exactly! Recognizing a player is on his way out of his current situation whether that is the teams choice or at his behest makes getting something rather than nothing when free agency arrives the only sensible solution. Then from the Bucks perspective the question becomes what can we get in return.
I’m being facetious I know he wants out and I know why they are trading him. I’ve just lost so much respect for him with this immature and insecure way he’s going about it.
And why would Giannis sign an extension?
Totally makes sense he doesnt as they do not have the cap space or draft assets to build a competitive team around him.
With OKC or the Spurs (not mentioned in that top 4 though) he could finally get that title.
And going to Miami will make him earn more money with the 0% state tax rate.
A GSW without any assets doesnt seem a good choice on the other hand…
As for Timberwolves and Knicks, I like it better than GSW for him. There will also be less pressure…
He doesn’t care about money or state taxes. Living in Florida means you have to deal with nut jobs and get massive hurricanes every year or two.
He hasn’t “publicly” requested a trade. But all indications are that he has asked for one internally.
Those 4 “most interested” teams can’t offer anything that I’d move a generational talent for. Unless this is the NBA stepping in to ensure that wherever he goes might help the tanking ratings and interest in the NBA this season.
that’s why you are not in charge
Warriors – doubtful given they assured Butler he won’t be dealt. Means they’d had to trade Draymond which I can’t see GSW doing. Also why would Milwaukee want draymond? Unless they can flip him to another team for additional younger assets/picks.
Knicks – KAT supposedly has low value now across the league. Unless the deal is centered around maybe some combo of Bridges and Hart, why would the Knicks do this? Don’t think it makes them better unless it is straight up for KAT.
Heat – my team and hoping they can pull it off. But skeptical Milwaukee values Tyler Herro & can’t imagine Spo has helped Ware’s value. There is value in Jaime Jaquez and Jakucionis, but not sure if it tips the scale. Not to mention the lack of picks Miami has in comparison to other teams. If they miss out on Giannis, they should blow it up and trade anyone not named Bam Adebayo.
Wolves – this is the best case scenario for Giannis from a win now perspective IMO. And a combo of Randle + Naz Reid would accelerate a rebuild. Maybe McDaniels also. My only thing is, I feel Giannis wants a bigger market.
Tbh, as much as I want my best to get him, Wolves seem like the best fit both from a basketball and win now perspective.
Randle, Reid and McDaniel’s would be needed to build around GA and are all older assets. Unless they are immediately flipping Reid for picks. None of these teams have a compelling offer IMO.
Those post Curry Warriors pics are extremely valuable.
They’ll be down the toilet by that time, and in fact they’re sort of starting to swirl around the sides of the commode right now.
Would you trade Curry for 3 1st round picks and swaps with players you don’t want? I wouldn’t but that is what Bucks is looking at.
Yes and no. Curry has at least 3-5 years left and Giannis would probably sign long term there, even if Curry retires I could see GSW being contenders in due time.
Curry relies on shooting I can see him being a superstar into his early 40s. His game doesn’t rely entirely on athleticism
I don’t know Stretch, I think there’s a good possibility that Steph plays only two more after this.
Curry’s body is starting to break down so you have no way of saying how long he will be playing.
Curry’s body is not breaking down, it’s the same as it’s always been. He literally gets beaten silly every game and no fouls called, all that adds up, but there’s nothing to say he is going to retire. Players like him stick around, shooters are always going to shoot. He is still superelite. Shameful to give him no benefit of the doubt honestly. Wish all these so-called Warriors “fans” on here would show the man some respect. He IS built VERY differently to every other player in league history.
Age 42 Curry getting MVP votes is going to be fun to watch.
Open your eyes to reality. His knee injury can only get better with rest. Your body does a big decline once you get close to 40. He is being targeted on defense by opposing teams.
The reality is Steph is built different. You are acting like he is the same as you and me.
Eye roll…. You sound like ESPN pretending age doesn’t matter.
It does not with a player of Steph’s type/style. Shooting does not age.
The Wolves offer would be Randle and McDaniels. MAYBE McDaniels OR Reed, but NOT both. But I do agree it’s his best chance to win now. Also MSP is a big enough that you see Ant all over National TV and they talk about him being the face of the league. I honestly think a bigger market doesn’t weigh into it all, he just wants to win.
Maybe they countered with a proposal that includes both Draymond, Butler, Kuminga, Moody, Hield, Podziemski and Jackson-Davis?
Basically requesting all positive value contracts and all First Round picks?
With most of those players ending up with a bunch of other teams. Maybe Kuminga, Podziemski and Jackson-Davis to the Bucks?
And then Paul George and a first round pick to GSW for Butler…
Do you understand how cap space works? If what you are saying is true, then the Bucks would have to trade Giannis, Turner, Kuzma, Portis, Porter and Thanasis to GSW.
Lebron for Butler makes more sense than PG13 for Butler?
Serious question: are you someone who hates the Warriors?
LeBron won’t be traded.
They wouldnt all go to Milwaukee :)
Portland is the best trade partner for Milwaukee, because they can offer a combination of young players and enticing draft capital.
Deni Avdija and Scoot Henderson would be the centerpiece of the return along with first round picks. Milwaukee could stay competitive in the East without having to do a hard reset, get younger and build draft capital.
Portland can remain competitive for the 2026 playoffs, but also arms themselves with a big three of Giannis-Lillard-Holiday with two great young defenders in Clingan and Camara for 2027+.
Portland won’t want to give up Avdija, but Giannis is the replacement. He would reduce the draft capital sent the other way, while the Blazers have more than enough talent to field an intimidating lineup.
To make the cap work, the trade could be something like this:
PORT: Antetokounmpo, Kuzma, Prince (injured), 2-3 firsts
MIL: Avdija, Grant, Henderson, Williams III (expiring), Thybulle (expiring)
New depth charts would look like:
PORTLAND
PF Giannis, Kuzma
C Clingan, Yang
SF Camara, Kr. Murray, Cissoko (promoted from 2 way)
PG Holiday, Love (promoted from 2 way), Wesley
SG Sharpe, Krejci, Rupert
(Lillard back for 2027)
MILWAUKEE
PF Grant, Portis
SF Avdija, Trent, Coffey, Thybulle
C Turner, Williams III, Sims
PG Rollins, Henderson, Anthony
SG Green, K. Porter Jr., Harris
(waive Thanasis and Andre Jackson Jr.)
This is spot on and legitimately doable.
But I really don’t think these star trades are one on one anymore.
A lot of teams want to get involved and depending on their agenda, they’ll supply the necessary draft picks, veterans, or young guys to help facilitate the needs of other teams, while picking up key pieces for themselves.
I agree that you’re mostly spot on, except for Deni. He’s not going anywhere. He has the most valuable contract in the league when comparing cost vs talent.
Also, I don’t think most fans realize how valuable it is that Portland holds Milwaukee’s 28-30 first round picks (one pick and two pick swaps). Portland literally holds Milwaukee’s future in its hands, and Milwaukee wants those picks back. Those picks alone are worth Giannis. Toss in Scoot and salary filler, and Portland has a real championship shot next year, while Milwaukee is able to rebuild. No other team can match that offer.
Too many question marks with getting Golden State’s future picks. If Milwaukee can get their picks back from Portland, then Milwaukee is able to (somewhat) control their own destiny, as opposed to hoping that GS, or any other team, doesn’t overachieve when their picks come due to Milwaukee, resulting in less favorable picks.
If Deni is on the table, Portland becomes a serious option. He won’t be though.
Deni can play 1-4, so there’s no redundancy with Giannis. He stays in Portland.
Also, if Milwaukee tanks, then those ‘28-‘30 1st round picks could legitimately be three consecutive years of top-5 lottery picks. Like I said, that alone is worth Giannis. One prospect (Scoot), returning Milwaukee’s pick/swaps, and salary filler is all it should take for Portland to score Giannis.
RE: “I don’t think most fans realize how valuable it is that Portland holds Milwaukee’s 28-30 first round picks (one pick and two pick swaps).”
I agree. That’s why it could also be in Milwaukee’s interest to get younger and stay competitive instead of doing a complete tank job. This doesn’t box them in to getting specifically their own picks or swaps back.
The upcoming massively loaded draft(s) means the front office always planned to tank, even though tanking is lottery now, that part still wont even matter, the top 15 picks all have easy all star floors, health the only thing standing in their way.
The Bucks FO always wanted Giannis gone, they always wanted to tank for these drafts. This was always their plan. Giannis did not want to leave, so they surrounded him with Kuzma and Turner, knowing that would infuriate him enough to make him want to OK any trade out of there.
Excellent.
MIL shouldn’t trade Giannis pre-deadline UNLESS they get their picks back. Important to get POR’s best pre-deadline offer for Giannis (assuming Giannis is not agreeing to an extension, but not precluding one) which includes the picks. That’s what the other teams have to beat. POR is not that exposed if Giannis won’t extend; basically, they’d be in the same position this off season as MIL figures to be.
I hope that on February 6, Doc Rivers isn’t here
Beyond me how he is still an NBA HC
Doc is extremely talented in the interview process. Strong orator and has communication skills off the charts.
Despite a not so shiny coaching record, he thus gets hired for top jobs, even after all these years of failure on the sidelines.
The most egregious red flag on his résumé was the All-Star studded clippers rosters that couldn’t even make it to the NBA finals let alone not win the whole thing.
Since 2023, Kerr and Rivers have been tied for getting the least out of the most.
You know what else I just realized? Khris Middleton is a FA next year, likely will take a minimum role to ring chase with Steph and Giannis.
If GSW rids itself of it’s Kerr-problem, FA’s will flood the lines trying to sign with GSW.
when did you GSW fans become as delusional as laker and knicks fans?
#1 franchise evaluation – worth more than the Lakers and Knicks now. We officially aren’t losers anymore. More rings than the Knicks, so please do not put them in this convo.
The fact you even need to ask this question proves you follow a struggle team.
my team is literally the winningest team in the NBA over the last 30 years …… our fans aren’t delusional nitwits that think the NBA is their toybox and everyone should bow down haha
Sooo can anyone remind me why this kind of bidding war wasn’t done with Luka?
You already know why.
Is Giannis demanding to be traded along with his two brothers? If not, why are the Spurs not interested? They could offload Devon Vassell and Sohan in a trade which unfortunately includes Barnes ( for salary matching purposes ) and picks. with that trade, they would become unstoppable this year. I think they would still have enough shooting with champagne, waters, fox, Victor and Keldon.
Spurs have decided to hold assets and not trade for Giannis.
link to sports.yahoo.com
Maybe they are waiting for a possible Joker trade?
Keep seeing all these rumors about sixers and Edgecombe involved in this. No no no