Giannis Antetokounmpo trade unlikely as Bucks resist deadline pressure
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The Milwaukee Bucks have signaled they are not compelled to move Giannis Antetokounmpo before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, team sources told ESPN on Thursday morning.
Multiple rival front offices, which had believed the two-time MVP might finally be available after 12-plus seasons in Milwaukee, have become increasingly skeptical over the past 24 hours, according to league executives familiar with the talks.
One known contender, the Golden State Warriors, effectively bowed out late Wednesday night by sending forward Jonathan Kuminga to the Boston Celtics for center Kristaps Porziņģis. That deal was widely interpreted as removing Golden State from the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat remain in pursuit, and executives cautioned that a surprise bidder could still emerge before the cutoff. Nevertheless, momentum is shifting toward a possible showdown in the summer rather than a dramatic deadline blockbuster.
Last week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo has been open to a change of scenery for months, either at this deadline or in the offseason. In recent days Milwaukee has entertained proposals and even countered a handful, marking the furthest the organization has gone toward exploring a trade involving its franchise cornerstone.
Despite the conversations, club officials have not ruled out keeping the 31-year-old star and retooling around him. Sources said the Bucks continue to canvass the market for roster upgrades, hoping to capitalize on teams eager to shed future salary commitments.
Milwaukee has won two straight but sits 12th in the Eastern Conference, three games behind the Chicago Bulls for the 10th and final play-in position.
If Milwaukee holds firm this week, Antetokounmpo could exert greater influence over his destination during the offseason. He becomes eligible to sign a contract extension on Oct. 1 and holds a player option for the 2027-28 season, leaving only one fully guaranteed year on his current deal.
Source: ESPN
