Milwaukee — Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledged that he underestimated the intensity of the 2025-26 trade chatter surrounding him. Speaking on the “Gogi’s Garage” YouTube show, the two-time NBA MVP said he wishes he had quashed the speculation sooner.
“If I could turn time back, I would maybe come out a little bit earlier and say, ‘Hey, guys, this ends today. Look at me in the eyes. I’m staying with Milwaukee until further notice,’” Antetokounmpo said. The forward repeatedly stated during the season that he wanted to remain with the Bucks but stressed that championship contention would guide his decision. Although Milwaukee kept him past February’s deadline, disagreements over treatment of a late-season injury further strained the relationship, and league insiders expect rumors to resume in the offseason.
Cavaliers lean on Strus and Wade
Max Strus, sidelined until mid-March after surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot, has become a key reserve for Cleveland in the playoffs. The veteran wing scored 24 points in Game 1 and logged nearly 27 minutes in Game 2 of the Cavaliers’ first-round series against Toronto.
While Strus opened the year penciled in as the starting small forward, Dean Wade has filled that slot this postseason. Wade, headed for unrestricted free agency, has focused on slowing Raptors leading scorer Brandon Ingram. Ingram managed only seven points on 3-for-15 shooting in Game 2, prompting Donovan Mitchell to praise Wade’s impact beyond the box score.
Walker finishes strong in Year 3
Tony East of Circle City Spin reports that Pacers forward Jarace Walker rebounded from a sluggish start to deliver a solid second half in his third NBA season. Walker will be eligible for a rookie-scale extension this summer and may need to replicate that late-season form to secure a lucrative second contract.
Pacers G League coaches head to WNBA
Noblesville Boom assistants Kelly Faris and Amiee Book are departing for WNBA roles, according to Fieldhouse Files. Faris will join the Chicago Sky’s bench, while Book becomes head video coordinator for the Phoenix Mercury.
Source: Hoops Rumors
