Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have initiated conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks on whether his best fit is staying with the franchise or moving on via a trade. A resolution is expected in the coming weeks ahead of the NBA trade deadline on February 5th, which could lead to a trade request.
Antetokounmpo has been frustrated with the Bucks’ losing and there’s a sense of tension in the locker room. One source told ESPN’s Shams Charania that the situation is at the point where “the writing’s on the wall on what’s to come with Giannis Antetokounmpo.”
Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks was an open question throughout the offseason, especially during the NBA draft combine in May. Antetokounmpo wanted to evaluate the offseason maneuvers with the Bucks and he decided not to strongly agitate for a trade.
However, Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks a preference to be traded to the New York Knicks and the two teams held clandestine discussions on a deal in August that didn’t progress. The Knicks don’t currently have any tradeable first round picks, but they do have four swaps available.
Multiple other teams are expected to emerge with trade interest in Antetokounmpo should he become available via trade.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes Antetokounmpo will give the Bucks a trade list that they will have to do their best to accommodate while getting a return for him.
Antetokounmpo becomes eligible on October 1, 2026 for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through the 2030-31 season and could become a free agent as early as 2027. If Antetokounmpo is traded, he can sign the same extension with his new team six months after the deal.
In 16 games this season, Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 30.8 minutes. The Bucks have a 1-5 record without Antetokounmpo this season.