Bucks do not sense urgency to deal Giannis Antetokounmpo

All attention in the NBA will be directed towards Milwaukee as the Thursday 3 p.m. ET trade deadline approaches, but the Bucks are relying on a well-known strategy.

According to team sources who spoke with ESPN just hours before the deadline, the Bucks do not feel compelled to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo on Thursday. Executives from rival teams have become increasingly skeptical over the last 24 hours regarding the likelihood of the Bucks actually parting ways with their franchise player after more than 12 seasons together.

Late on Wednesday, one potential contender, the Golden State Warriors, traded Jonathan Kuminga for Kristaps Porzingis, effectively signaling their exit from the pursuit of Antetokounmpo this week.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat remain as potential suitors, and there is a chance that a surprise team could emerge in the coming hours, but all signs are beginning to suggest a repeat of the situation in the summer.

Last week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo has been contemplating a change of scenery for several months, whether at Thursday’s deadline or during the offseason. The Bucks have started to entertain offers from teams over the past week for the two-time MVP, even engaging in discussions and countering some proposals. This marks a more advanced stage in the process than Milwaukee has previously been willing to explore during Antetokounmpo’s time with the team.

Nevertheless, the Bucks have not entirely abandoned their hopes of preserving the Antetokounmpo era.

Milwaukee continues to explore the market for potential roster enhancements, as sources informed ESPN, aiming to take advantage of a team looking to reduce salary in the future. The Bucks have secured back-to-back victories this week but currently sit in the No. 12 position in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Chicago Bulls by three games for the No. 10 seed.

However, if this situation persists for a few more months, Antetokounmpo may have greater leverage regarding his next destination in the summer. He will be eligible to sign a contract extension on October 1, and with his player option for the 2027-28 season, he has only one more guaranteed year left on his contract. His preference for signing that extension could influence the terms of his next agreement.