The Milwaukee Bucks had everyone on the edge of their seats waiting for a potential trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Well, that doesn’t appear to be happening by the 2026 NBA trade deadline. The team has signaled that they plan to keep him into the offseason, despite interest from teams like the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Miami Heat.
In the hours leading up to the trade deadline, there was mixed reporting about Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks. While the Warriors and Timberwolves appeared out of the superstar trade sweepstakes after making other deals, the Heat were reportedly still interested in adding the 2021 Finals MVP, according to Brian Windhorst.
The ESPN insider added that if a trade didn’t happen, he expected Milwaukee to sit him for the rest of the season. However, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, that does not appear to be the case.
“While the Bucks, who have dropped down to 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 20-29 record, could be compelled to ask Antetokounmpo to sit out the remainder of the season to keep him healthy,” he wrote. “League sources tell The Athletic that Antetokounmpo still plans on playing once he has fully recovered from his right calf strain to help the Bucks make a push for the postseason.”
Giannis Makes Decision After Trade Rumors Come To A Close, For Now
The trade status of Antetokounmpo now seems like it will head into the NBA offseason, but despite the rumors that he’ll sit the rest of the year, the star appears to be eyeing a return from his calf injury, one that will likely come in the final few weeks of the regular season.
When speaking with Nehm on Tuesday, Antetokounmpo made it clear that he is still looking to compete for titles. While he had also indicated that the plan of furthering his legacy in the form of winning might not come with the Bucks, the superstar has made it clear that he doesn’t want to ask for a trade directly, regardless of the lack of talent on the current roster.
“We always go back to the Bucks, the Bucks, the Bucks, and if I’m going to stay here, if I’m not gonna stay here,” Antetokounmpo said.
The superstar has made it clear that he loves the city of Milwaukee and the life he’s built in Wisconsin. However, as seen with all the reporting over the past few months, it is clear that he might have a better chance of competing for titles elsewhere.
Additionally, if Antetokounmpo does return from his calf injury late in the season and ends up getting injured again, that could have a major impact on his trade value, future in Milwaukee or on another team, and the future of the Bucks as a franchise.
There is an expectation that the team will continue listening to offers and searching the trade market into the offseason, but for now, they didn’t appear interested in any of the offers they were getting from the Warriors, Timberwolves, or Heat, each of whom was making a big push to land the Greek Freak.
Bucks Make Trade Deadline Deal That Doesn’t Include Giannis
Throughout the entire Antetokounmpo trade saga, the Bucks’ front office has indicated that they want to strengthen their current roster, to both give themselves a better chance to compete for titles, and at the same time, prove to their star that they want to keep him in town.
Well, that seems to be the case for the time being, as while it wasn’t a blockbuster deal, Milwaukee has made one trade ahead of the deadline.
According to Shams Charania, the Bucks traded Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis.
Though not a big move, perhaps one that can help them make a stronger push for the playoffs, once Antetokounmpo does return, whenever that happens.
Additionally, Milwaukee has been linked to Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the trade market for the controversial point guard appears to be limited. Miami has also been interested in Morant, and while they briefly pivoted away in hopes of landing Antetokounmpo himself, they now seem re-interested in adding him.
But for now, the Bucks could eye another small move to prove to their star that they are serious about putting a strong foundation around him for the future. While Antetokounmpo has considered a move elsewhere, it is clear that he is happy in Milwaukee, just not satisfied with the team he has around him.
Once the trade deadline passes, rumors on his future and potential landing spots will heat up again over the offseason, but for now, Antetokounmpo is staying put.
Giannis Makes Major Decision On Bucks Future After Trade Deadline: Report