<\/p>\n
Four teams have emerged as \u201cthe most serious suitors\u201d for Giannis Antetokounmpo, while a second Australian has had their NBA life uprooted in as many days as the league\u2019s trade deadline edges ever closer. <\/p>\n
Stay up to date with every trade deal as it happens ahead of the February 6 cut-off. <\/p>\n
Watch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream an average 9 LIVE Regular Season games per week plus the best of the NBA Playoffs.| New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n FEBRUARY 2 \u2014 FOUR \u2018MOST SERIOUS SUITORS\u2019 FOR GIANNIS EMERGE<\/b><\/p>\n The Milwaukee Bucks have \u201cremained engaged\u201d with teams that have interest in superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo \u2013 and even put forward counter-offers to \u201caggressive\u201d trade proposals \u2013 according to ESPN reporter Shams Charania.<\/p>\n Antetokounmpo reportedly wants a trade out of Milwaukee as soon as the NBA trade deadline on February 6 (AEDT) after being part of all sorts of trade buzz this season.<\/p>\n ESPN last week reported Antetokounmpo had made it clear \u201cfor months\u201d that he believes the time is right to part ways with the franchise that drafted him.<\/p>\n Giannis Wants OUT! Bucks trade talks | 01:24<\/p>\n Several rival teams reportedly made aggressive offers to the Bucks for the former two-time NBA MVP, and are sensing that Milwaukee is \u201cmore open than ever\u201d ready to deal Antetokounmpo between now and the NBA trade deadline.<\/p>\n Speaking on ESPN, Charania indicated four rival teams were \u201cthe most serious suitors\u201d for Antetokounmpo at this stage.<\/p>\n \u201cOver the weekend, the Bucks remained engaged with NBA teams that have interest, that have given aggressive proposals,\u201d Charania said. \u201cMy understanding is they\u2019ve submitted counteroffers to those aggressive proposals as well<\/p>\n \u201cThe Heat, Timberwolves, Gold State Warriors, New York Knicks \u2013 those have been the most serious suitors in the mix so far for Giannis.\u201d<\/p>\n Charania said time was off the essence for all parties as the trade deadline approaches.<\/p>\n \u201cIt all comes down to price point for him. A young player or a surplus of draft picks. So who meets that mark between now and \u2026 the NBA trade deadline,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the Bucks have to manage the risk or reward, whether you do a deal now or you wait for off-season when Giannis only has one year left. That gives him even more to figure out and dictate his future in the off-season.\u201d<\/p>\n Celtics cruise to victory over Bucks | 01:07<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 2 \u2014 SECOND AUSSIE VICTIM AS HAWKS DEAL AGAIN<\/b><\/p>\n Duop Reath has become the second Aussie in as many days to have their NBA life uprooted, with the big man traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday morning. <\/p>\n Reath, who brings floor-spacing ability as a shooting big, links up with Boomers teammate Dyson Daniels in the Peachtree State. <\/p>\n However, ruled out for the remainder of the season to undergo foot surgery, Reath is every chance of being waived by the Hawks, who could open up two roster spots and eye a bigger-picture trade. <\/p>\n In the deal, shooter Vit Krejci moved to the Blazers, with the Hawks acquiring Reath and two second-round picks, according to ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania. <\/p>\n The 29-year-old, who\u2019s of South-Sudanese descent but was raised in Western Australia, played a career-low 8.1 minutes per game this season in Portland, where he\u2019d spent his entire NBA stint to this point. <\/p>\n Prior to his injury, he was stuck behind preferred big men Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams in the Trail Blazers\u2019 rotation. <\/p>\n Reath averaged 9.1 points in an average 17.9 minutes played in the 2023-24 season, with the 206-centimetre paint force \u2014 who\u2019s extended his shooting game beyond the three-point arc \u2014 hoping for more playing time wherever he ends up. <\/p>\n