It’s only been a few months since the Milwaukee Bucks emerged as a potential suitor for then disgruntled Jimmy Butler. However, their interest in the six-time All-Star goes back way further than that. Making an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, former Bucks big man John Henson reveals that there was talk of trading for Butler “a long time ago.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo Vetoed Bucks-Jimmy Butler Trade
“I know for a fact that also Giannis (Antetokounmpo), when he was younger, they would call him about trades. Do you want this guy or that guy?”
Specifically, there was a trade, I’m talking about a long time ago,” Henson recalls. “Khris Middleton for Jimmy Butler swap – Giannis was like, ‘Nah, we’re not doing that.’ That was only time I ever saw him stand up and say something.”
“There was a trade…Khris Middleton for Jimmy Butler swap – Giannis was like ‘nah we’re not doing that’ – that was only time I ever saw him stand up and say something”
@Johnhenson31 gives insight to @worldwidewob & @adaniels33 about Giannis and the team’s front office. pic.twitter.com/bmEmkfJgR4
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 2, 2025
As Henson was Giannis Antetokounmpo’s teammate from 2013-14 to 2018-19, there’s a definitive time frame for his first-hand experience. Trying to determine exactly when the events transpired is a bit more tricky. Adding to the complexity is that Butler has technically been traded four times in his career.
When Did It Happen?
The first time Butler was traded was the 2017 offseason, with him heading from the Chicago Bulls to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a long-awaited blockbuster. After a tenuous tenure in the Twin Cities, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers a year and a half later. Eight months after that, the Sixers sent Butler to the Miami Heat in a four-team trade.
Henson was on the Bucks roster when Butler was shipped to the Timberwolves and to the 76ers. Thus, Antetokounmpo likely vetoed the proposed Butler-Middleton deal sometime in 2017 or 2018.
Why Did Giannis Pass On Butler?
Notably, Middleton had averaged 20.1 points, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 2017-18. However, he shot an uncharacteristically low 35.9 percent from 3. The next season, Middleton earned his first All-Star appearance after averaging 18.3 points, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 37.8 percent from 3.
For comparison, Butler averaged 22.2 points, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 2017-18, in what was an All-Star season. However, he did shoot just 35.0 percent from 3. In 2018-19, Butler missed the All-Star cut after averaging 18.7 points, 4.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 34.7 percent from 3.
Given that the Bucks went on to win a championship with Middleton in 2021, Antetokounmpo may have made the right decision. Furthermore, though Butler has had plenty of dominant performances, Middleton’s 3-point prowess allowed him to complement Antetokounmpo quite well.
After all, Middleton is a career 38.7 percent 3-point shooter whereas Butler’s a career 32.8 percent 3-point shooter.
With that being said, Antetokounmpo and Middleton’s chemistry and camaraderie likely meant as much to the Greek Freak as anything. To that point, Middleton had been on the roster since Antetokounmpo’s rookie season. As Middleton was only in his second season when he joined the Bucks, one could say they not only bonded but became men together.
Meanwhile, though Butler seems to be a good person, he has a tendency to be abrasive. On the one hand, it might be perceived as iron sharpening iron; demanding the best from your colleagues and employers. On the other hand, it could just be considered bratty behavior from a player with a superiority complex.
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