Bucks Keep Giannis Antetokounmpo Past 2026 Trade Deadline

Milwaukee Bucks management informed other NBA teams on Thursday that they plan to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo past the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline. This comes after days of talks with interested teams, but the Bucks chose to hold onto their star player and look for other ways to improve the roster.

Background

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been with the Bucks since they drafted him in 2013. Over the years, he has become the face of the franchise, winning two MVP awards and leading the team to a championship in 2021. The Bucks built around him, pairing him with players like Damian Lillard in recent seasons to chase more titles.

Lately, the team has struggled. They sit at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference, three games behind the Chicago Bulls for the No. 10 playoff spot. Wins have been hard to come by, with just back-to-back victories this week. Rumors about Antetokounmpo's future picked up over the past week as the deadline neared. Reports said he had been open to a move for months, either now or in the offseason.

Teams started calling the Bucks with offers. The Golden State Warriors put together a package that included Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and draft picks. But the Bucks hesitated on taking Green's $27.6 million player option for next year. They wanted him sent to a third team if talks went further, which made a deal tough. The Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves also showed interest, pitching their own ideas.

The Bucks listened and even countered some offers. This was further than they had gone before in trade talks involving Antetokounmpo. Still, no deal felt right. Antetokounmpo has one guaranteed year left on his contract after this season, plus a player option for 2027-28. He can sign an extension starting October 1, giving him say in his future.

"Brother, if you ask me deep down what I want today, I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career. I want to win here another championship. And if you can tell me that's possible, let's get the deal done now." – Giannis Antetokounmpo to a team executive

Talks with the Warriors dragged on. Some felt the Bucks used them to gauge better offers from other teams. Milwaukee wanted top draft picks, even protected ones that might convey later. For example, they eyed Warriors picks that could land high if Stephen Curry steps away. But in the end, the Bucks pulled back from any Antetokounmpo trade.

Key Details

The decision to keep Antetokounmpo came hours before the deadline. Bucks front office made calls to shut down pursuits from other teams. This freed them up to make other moves. In their first trade after the news, they sent Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns. In return, they got Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis.

Cole Anthony signed a one-year, $13 million deal with Milwaukee over the summer. He played just 15.1 minutes per game this season, averaging a career-low 6.7 points. The Bucks saw him as expendable. Nick Richards brings size and rebounding from the Suns. Nigel Hayes-Davis adds depth. These players fit the Bucks' need for frontcourt help without giving up their star.

Trade Deadline Timeline

• Early Week: Bucks start fielding offers for Antetokounmpo from Warriors, Heat, and Timberwolves.
• Mid-Week: Warriors propose Draymond Green package; Bucks counter but want Green rerouted.
• Thursday Morning: Antetokounmpo expresses desire to stay long-term in private talks.
• Afternoon: Bucks announce to league they are keeping him and pivot to other deals.
• 3 p.m. ET: Deadline passes with Antetokounmpo still in Milwaukee.

The Bucks now hunt for more upgrades. They aim to climb the standings and make the playoffs. Antetokounmpo has played in recent wins, helping the team avoid sitting him amid trade buzz to prevent injury risks like an Achilles tear.

League sources say the Bucks have not lost all hope in competing with Antetokounmpo. They plan to talk extension soon. His commitment to Milwaukee runs deep, rooted in his Greek-Nigerian background and years growing the fan base there.

What This Means

Keeping Antetokounmpo gives the Bucks a clear path forward. They avoid a full rebuild and instead tweak the roster around him. New additions like Richards could help in the paint, where Milwaukee has lacked punch. The team now focuses on the play-in tournament and beyond.

For Antetokounmpo, staying means chasing another ring in familiar surroundings. He turns 32 in December and wants to build his legacy in Milwaukee. An extension could lock him in for years, stabilizing the franchise.

Other teams shift gears. The Warriors, who pushed hard, must look elsewhere for star power. Draymond Green might still move, but not for Antetokounmpo. Miami and Minnesota regroup for their own deadline deals.

The Eastern Conference stays wide open. With the Bucks still in the mix, no team runs away with seeding. Playoff races heat up as the season hits its stretch run. Milwaukee's recent wins show promise, but consistency is key.

League-wide, this deadline lacked blockbuster drama without an Antetokounmpo move. Teams made smaller swaps, like the Bucks-Suns deal, to adjust without massive overhauls. Attention turns to the summer, where Antetokounmpo could have more control over his next step.

Bucks fans breathe easier tonight. The core stays intact, and management bets on fixes through trades and the draft. The push for playoffs starts now, with Antetokounmpo leading the charge.