ESPN’s Jamal Collier previously revealed that the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t feel “pressure” to part ways with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline arrived at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday.
It sounds like the Bucks weren’t bluffing.
Interested teams receive final Giannis Antetokounmpo trade verdict
Early Thursday afternoon, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Bucks had “indicated to teams that they are keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline and will start making other trades.”
“Over the last week,” Charania continued, “the Bucks have been focused on incoming calls for Giannis Antetokounmpo and canvassing the NBA for small salary trades. Milwaukee remains in talks to complete potentially more of the latter here on deadline day.”
Via multiple interviews this week, Antetokounmpo insisted that he wanted “to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of [his] career” despite his frustrations with the current state of the franchise. The 12th-place Bucks began Thursday with a record of 20-29, and the perception exists that Milwaukee isn’t one offseason away from catching the other advertised contenders in the Eastern Conference.
According to ESPN’s “NBA Buzz” page, league insider Brian Windhorst shared during Thursday’s edition of the “Get Up” program that he believes “the Bucks are going to deactivate Giannis and not play him the rest of the season or very close to not the rest of the season” because “their future now is highly dependent on their draft pick and Giannis avoiding injury.”
Antetokounmpo hasn’t played in a meaningful game since Jan. 23 due to a calf injury. Earlier in the morning, Windhorst revealed that the Minnesota Timberwolves had “moved past their hopes of landing” Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline. The New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat were among other teams linked with Antetokounmpo throughout the fall and winter months.
What’s next for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Antetokounmpo could become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027 if he declines the player option attached to his current contract. As Collier noted, the two-time NBA MVP is eligible to sign a contract extension on Oct. 1.
By waiting until the summer to make a trade, the Bucks will open the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes to more potential buyers. Logic suggests that’s the wisest business move for a club that seemingly didn’t receive a so-called “‘Godfather’ offer” for Antetokounmpo’s services before Thursday morning wrapped up.