Giannis trade talk refuses to go away
The Milwaukee Bucks star player is recovering from a right calf strain and has not played since early December.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo situation has reached a critical “wait-and-see” phase at present. While the trade rumors are intense, they are currently stuck in a stalemate between Giannis’s loyalty to Milwaukee and the team’s struggles on the court.
Despite a disappointing 11–17 record and a 2–10 mark in games without Giannis, the Bucks’ front office is reportedly telling teams they are not open to trade offers.
Instead of trading Giannis, GM Jon Horst is looking to be aggressive at the February 5 deadline to bring in help with rumored names include Zach LaVine (Kings), Jerami Grant (Blazers), and Andrew Wiggins (Heat).
Giannis spoke to the media on December 19 for the first time since reports surfaced that he and his agent were discussing his future with the team.
Insiders report that Giannis is extremely hesitant to “be the bad guy” and force a trade. He recently stated he is “locked in” on his teammates and focused on recovering from a right calf strain.
While the Greek player hasn’t requested a trade yet, many league executives believe that if he refuses to sign an extension this summer, the Bucks will be forced to move him to avoid losing him for nothing in 2027.
Top suitors for Giannis
If the “first domino” falls and Giannis asks out, several teams are positioned to strike:
New York Knicks: Currently seen as the “betting favorites” and Giannis’s preferred destination. Speculation spiked this week after a poor performance by Karl-Anthony Towns, with analysts suggesting the Knicks might pivot to a Giannis-centric blockbuster.
Atlanta Hawks: Emerging as a major “wildcard” suitor. They have the assets to potentially outbid the Knicks, though it’s unclear if Giannis would commit to Atlanta long-term.
Miami Heat: Always in the mix for superstars. A potential deal would likely center around Tyler Herro and young center Kel’el Ware, but draft capital remains a hurdle.
Golden State Warriors: Often linked to Giannis, they remain a dark horse if they decide to include Jonathan Kuminga in a package.
The trade talk is currently happening while Giannis is sidelined. He returned to practice last weekend (Dec 20) following his calf injury. His return to the lineup will be the ultimate litmus test—if the Bucks continue to lose even with him healthy, the trade pressure will become undeniable.
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