Giannis Antetokounmpo timeline weighs on Bucks as trade deadline nears
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Front-office conversations across the NBA remain divided on when, or if, the Milwaukee Bucks will move Giannis Antetokounmpo, league sources told multiple outlets.
Executives who have spoken with Milwaukee said the club appears inclined to wait until the offseason, believing a June or July market would feature more bidders and greater flexibility with future draft picks, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.
Other teams hear the opposite. Sam Amick reported that several rivals expect the Bucks to act before the Feb. 5 trade deadline to avoid an “uncomfortable dynamic” that could linger if Antetokounmpo finishes the season knowing a breakup might follow.
Multiple clubs pursuing the two-time MVP think he would rather be dealt sooner, although Antetokounmpo has not publicly requested a trade.
Deadline or summer?
An internal roundtable at The Athletic mirrored the league’s split. John Hollinger argued that a February move would give Antetokounmpo and his next team immediate clarity. Eric Nehm countered that Milwaukee could maximize value by waiting. Nick Friedell added that Antetokounmpo’s list of preferred destinations is still unknown, significant because his contract has only one fully guaranteed season remaining beyond 2025-26.
Warriors stay in focus
Golden State remains one of the most frequently mentioned suitors. The Warriors can send out four tradable first-round picks and possess workable salary combinations. Sources told NBC Bay Area’s Monte Poole that Stephen Curry is the lone untouchable, a stance echoed by ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
Jimmy Butler has surfaced in speculative packages, but Stein and Fischer reported strong indications Golden State does not plan to include the forward, who is sidelined for the season with a torn ACL. If Butler is excluded, Draymond Green’s contract could be required for salary matching.
Green addressed that possibility after Friday’s loss, saying, “I’ve been here for 14 years. If I’m traded, that’s part of the business. I ain’t losing no sleep.”
With five days left before the deadline, the Bucks’ decision — act now or wait for summer — continues to shape the league’s trade landscape.
Source: Hoops Wire
