The Bucks aren’t feeling pressure to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of Thursday’s deadline, sources tell Jamal Collier of ESPN.
Although an Antetokounmpo deal in the coming hours remains a possibility, several signs are pointing toward the saga carrying over into the offseason as the 2:00 pm CT deadline nears, Collier writes.
The Knicks and Warriors appear to have backed off their pursuit of the two-time MVP, leaving the Heat, Timberwolves, and any potential mystery teams as the suitors still in the running. But even those clubs still involved have become increasingly dubious that a trade will happen today, Collier notes.
It’s not uncommon for a team to seriously explore the possibility of trading a star player at the deadline and then revisit those conversations in the offseason. The Pelicans memorably took that route with Anthony Davis in 2019 before trading him to the Lakers that summer. The Suns took a similar path with Kevin Durant a year ago, discussing deals in January and February and then holding onto him until July, when he was sent to Houston.
While this is the closest the Bucks have ever come to trading Antetokounmpo, it’s also still not an absolute lock that he’ll be wearing a new jersey by opening night of next season.
According to Collier, Milwaukee has continued to explore the trade market for opportunities to upgrade its roster, hoping to find a buy-low opportunity with a trade partner looking to shed long-term salary. The Bucks have been linked to Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, for instance.
Antetokounmpo said in a conversation with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this week that he still holds great affinity for Milwaukee and would prefer to remain with the Bucks if they could give him a legitimate chance to compete for a championship. He reiterated that message during a separate discussion with Eric Nehm of The Athletic when asked if he’d commit to another season in Milwaukee if the Bucks could build a roster capable of winning consistently.
“You’re saying that if they can convince me to stay within the team, and the next year that we can compete? Oh yeah, 1,000 percent,” Antetokounmpo said. “One million percent.”
Still, it will be extremely challenging for the Bucks – who have a 20-29 record this season – to improve their roster that significantly, given their limited trade assets. The team currently has just one tradable first-round pick, in either 2031 or 2032.
The Bucks may also not be motivated to continue pursuing win-now moves if Antetokounmpo isn’t willing to commit to them beyond next season — he becomes extension-eligible this October and could reach unrestricted free agency as soon as the summer of 2027 if he doesn’t sign a new deal before then.
This is not a surprise at all. It was really a long shot he would be traded in the first place. There is still time for it to happen but won’t be surprised if it doesn’t.
Saw that coming that Giannis wasn’t going to get moved because the Bucks want a boatload for him. After the season is over and before the draft they can make better trades knowing of getting a great pick. Still say OKC if they are eliminated before the finals he could be going there.
But but but some Dubs homer I read here in HR said this was a done deal already to the Dubs /s
Jeez Skippy. Get over it. Move on.
Dwarf74 does not know /s. Shows who is old on this message boards.
I’m sure he’ll hold onto that until the day Giannis retires. So if he’s traded to the bay 4 years from now, then he’s still correct and Kerr was wrong for not allowing it to happen sooner.
To be fair, what he said was it WILL happen this TDL. He even asked for his flowers when it hasnt happened yet. Additionally it can still happen in a few hours but who knows. We may have another situation similar to Dwight Howard when he was in Orlando.
Id like to say it here as well that out of all the Dubs posters here, you Gary are the nicest one and I respect your takes since you respect other posters take as well.
Too kind Moga !! I just appreciate guys who call out garbage because I do the same.
I think the deciding factor on coolness is avoiding name-calling and just keep it to the subject at hand.
Then I try to be real when it comes to my team and take off the rose colored glasses, but I wear them from time to time too lol.
I do appreciate the grace from others though when I am a little bit loopy with the Warriors. I get the occasional blurred vision of a fictional run TMC and Chris Webber team winning a championship 35 years ago lol.
The dubs decided not to overpay, imo a wise decision.
Agreed Jackson.
I definitely agree with not overpaying.
The Bucks are asking for too much. They’re never gonna get what they want because teams are realizing that Giannis is often injured, 31 years old, and not worth what he once was. In his last ten playoff games, he’s 1-9. Milwaukee should have taken Golden State’s offer, because I would guess it won’t get better than that, even this summer. With Golden State having moved on, they should take Miami’s offer of Herro, Ware, and the couple of picks.
As a quick side note, it’s still not completely out of the realm of possibility that the Bucks take the Warriors offer.
I’m definitely NOT in favor of trading 4 first round picks for Giannis, but perhaps the Bucks regard Porziņģis expiring deal more favorable than JK and Buddy and whatever other scrubs Golden State offered up?
Three more hours and we’ll know for sure.
Giannis playing everyone so he can feel wanted. Go to a psychologist man.