Uncertainty Surrounds Giannis Antetokounmpo as Bucks Look Beyond Trade Deadline
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Milwaukee, Wis. — Feb. 9, 2026 — One day after the NBA trade deadline passed without a deal, Giannis Antetokounmpo stood at center court inside Fiserv Forum, surrounded by family and teammates as the Milwaukee Bucks recognized his 10th consecutive All-Star selection.
Trade deadline closes, questions remain
Milwaukee fielded “aggressive” inquiries for the two-time MVP but never felt compelled to move him, team sources told ESPN. Discussions about Antetokounmpo’s long-term future are now on hold until the summer, when he will be eligible in October to sign a four-year extension that could reach $275 million and run through the 2030-31 season.
The 31-year-old has one guaranteed season left on the three-year deal he signed in 2023, plus a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. His stance on the upcoming extension is expected to dictate the organization’s next major decision.
Calf injury and immediate outlook
Antetokounmpo strained his right calf on Jan. 23 — the second calf issue of the year — and projected a four-to-six-week absence. Four weeks ends Feb. 20, the date of Milwaukee’s first game after the All-Star break. He has increased the intensity of his pre-game workouts and, according to team officials, plans to return once fully healthy. Head coach Doc Rivers reiterated there is no plan to shut him down.
Play-in push or draft positioning?
At 21-29, the Bucks sit 12th in the Eastern Conference, two games behind Charlotte for the final play-in spot. Their record is the league’s eighth worst, positioning Milwaukee for a potential lottery pick in what scouts project as a deep 2026 draft. The club owns the lesser of its own first-round pick or the 14-40 New Orleans Pelicans’ selection; the better pick goes to Atlanta.
Front-office discussions have acknowledged the value of a higher draft slot, yet the Bucks have continued to pursue roster help on the buyout market and recently added guard Cam Thomas. “I don’t think our season’s lost,” center Myles Turner said. “It’s a two-month downhill sprint after the All-Star break. Anything can happen.”
Locker-room reaction
Players described a sense of relief once the deadline passed. Antetokounmpo posted a scene from “The Wolf of Wall Street” declaring, “I’m not f—ing leaving,” adding, “Legends don’t chase, they attract.” He also texted veteran forward Bobby Portis a deer emoji and “100” symbol; Portis replied, “Overstood.” Milwaukee beat the Indiana Pacers 105-99 that night, its first three-game winning streak of the season.
Summer becomes the next inflection point
Beginning on draft night, general manager Jon Horst will control three tradable first-rounders (2026, 2031, 2033). Whether the franchise leverages those picks or rebuilds through the draft will hinge on Antetokounmpo’s extension stance and the club’s finish this spring. As Portis put it, “It’s off for now, but to be determined later.”
Source: ESPN
