The Milwaukee Bucks are signaling to rivals that they prefer to strengthen the roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo rather than entertain offers for the two-time MVP, according to reporting by Jake Fischer for the Stein Line Substack.
An opposing general manager told Fischer the Bucks appear to be “big-game hunting” ahead of the Feb. 5, 2026 trade deadline. League executives remain unsure whether Milwaukee will hold that posture or eventually shift to selling, but for now the focus is on adding help.
Because the Bucks own few movable draft picks, league sources believe Milwaukee could target players on less favorable contracts to keep acquisition costs down. Sacramento guard Zach LaVine has already been linked to the club, and Fischer reports that Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant is also on Milwaukee’s radar.
Grant, 31, earns $32 million this season and is owed $70.6 million over the next two years. After a down 2024-25 campaign, he has rebounded with averages of 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 43.8 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three and 86.3 percent at the line through 25 games. Although Portland general manager Joe Cronin is known to value Grant, the size of the deal could push the Blazers to seek a draft pick from Milwaukee—one avenue to recoup selections the Bucks previously sent in the Damian Lillard trade.
Milwaukee has also shown previous interest in Heat forward Andrew Wiggins and Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, per Fischer. The Bucks repeatedly contacted Golden State about Wiggins before the Warriors moved him to Miami last season, and they explored Murray’s availability prior to his trade from Atlanta to New Orleans. Murray has not played in 2025-26 while recovering from a torn Achilles but could return as early as next month.
Lakers guard Marcus Smart and Mavericks forward P.J. Washington have attracted Milwaukee’s attention in the past, Fischer adds. However, Los Angeles is viewed as unlikely to part with Smart, and Washington cannot be traded this season after signing an extension with Dallas.
Any major Milwaukee deal that does not include Antetokounmpo would almost certainly require the salary of either Kyle Kuzma ($22.4 million) or newly acquired Myles Turner ($25.3 million). Aside from Antetokounmpo’s $54.1 million salary, they are the only Bucks earning more than $13.5 million this year.
Source: HoopsRumors
