Bucks plan to retain Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of trade deadline
The Milwaukee Bucks have communicated to other teams that they plan to retain Giannis Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline and will begin pursuing other transactions, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania.
This information arrives just hours ahead of the 3 p.m. ET deadline and follows several days of receiving trade proposals from various teams. The Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves were among those expressing interest in acquiring Antetokounmpo.
Charania reported last week that Antetokounmpo has been seeking a new team for several months, whether at Thursday’s deadline or during the offseason. The Bucks started considering 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 had previously been willing to entertain during Antetokounmpo’s time with the team.
Antetokounmpo may have greater influence over his next team in the summer. He is eligible to sign a contract extension on Oct. 1. With a player option for the 2027-28 season, he has only one more guaranteed year left on his contract. His choice regarding the extension could impact the conditions of his next agreement.
Nevertheless, the Bucks have not entirely abandoned hope of preserving the Antetokounmpo era and are currently exploring the market for possible enhancements. The Bucks have achieved back-to-back victories this week but remain in the No. 12 position in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Chicago Bulls by three games for the No. 10 seed.
In the first reported transaction since announcing their intention to retain Antetokounmpo, the Bucks traded Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, sources told Charania.
Anthony, who was signed by the Bucks to a one-year, $13 million contract during the summer, was averaging only 15.1 minutes this season and a career-low 6.7 points.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.
