Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to draw league-wide interest, yet only the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers are currently engaged in active trade talks with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Boston Keeps Tabs but Hasn’t Advanced Talks
Fischer reports that the Boston Celtics have not opened substantive negotiations with Milwaukee and have not seriously discussed sending out All-NBA swingman Jaylen Brown. However, sources close to the situation refuse to dismiss either possibility. Antetokounmpo shares skills coach Drew Hanlen with Jayson Tatum and is believed to view Boston favorably. Brown’s status as a more accomplished player than anyone Miami can offer is said to concern the Heat front office.
Heat More Concerned About Celtics Than Blazers
Miami reportedly views Boston as the greater threat, as questions linger over whether Antetokounmpo would sign an extension in Portland. That uncertainty may prevent the Trail Blazers from committing their top assets.
Other Suitors Cooling Off
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors, both active at February’s deadline, are no longer prominent in current conversations, sources tell Fischer. Likewise, no meaningful discussions have taken place recently between the Bucks and Orlando Magic, despite Orlando’s organizational ties to Antetokounmpo: executives Jeff Weltman and John Hammond drafted him in 2013, and new head coach Sean Sweeney spent four seasons on Milwaukee’s bench.
Houston Steps Back; Market Smaller Than Expected
The Houston Rockets, once viewed as a potential landing spot, have not pursued a deal in recent days, a source told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. One league scout suggested the overall market for Antetokounmpo has been “smaller than anticipated,” while Jackson noted that the league’s reformed draft-lottery odds may be making teams more protective of first-round picks.
Status of Kelel Ware
No indication exists that Miami would trade rookie center Kelel Ware by himself, or that Milwaukee would immediately reroute him if he became part of a Giannis package. Still, one source told Jackson that either club would likely secure a first-round pick if Ware were made available.
The Bucks have not set a public timetable for resolving Antetokounmpo’s future.
Source: Hoops Rumors
