The Milwaukee Bucks have not engaged with teams about trading Giannis Antetokounmpo since the NBA’s unofficial trade season began Dec. 15, sources told ESPN. Instead, Milwaukee has been scouring the market as buyers looking for roster upgrades.
A resolution to Antetokounmpo’s situation is expected in the coming weeks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. If the Bucks continue losing and Antetokounmpo wants out, it will require a more forceful request from the two-time MVP, league sources told ESPN.
“The question is who is going to get made uncomfortable,” a league source told ESPN. “There’s a difference between saying it out loud and innuendos. [The Bucks] know Giannis doesn’t want to be the villain.”
Antetokounmpo threw down a windmill dunk with seven seconds remaining in Saturday’s 112-103 win over the Chicago Bulls, sparking a near-brawl. He scored 29 points in 25 minutes while on a playing time restriction after missing three weeks with a calf injury. Before the injury, Charania reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis were reopening conversations with the Bucks about his future.
Milwaukee has engaged in internal conversations about Zach LaVine and Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings, as well as Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers, according to multiple team and league sources. The Bucks like their roster but believe they need additions to compete for a championship.
“I’ve been 13 years in the league,” Antetokounmpo said. “If we keep on losing, brother, probably half of the team is not going to be here.”
The Bucks sit at 13-19 in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. They are 3-11 without Antetokounmpo this season and have won one playoff series since capturing the 2021 NBA title.
Milwaukee has limited trade assets, with only one first-round pick available in either 2031 or 2032. Doc Rivers insisted Antetokounmpo has never requested a trade.