Bucks Commit to Giannis Past Trade Deadline Amid Rumors

The Milwaukee Bucks have made it clear to other NBA teams that they will keep Giannis Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline today at 3 p.m. ET. This comes after months of talk about possible trades for the star, with teams like the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves showing interest. The Bucks, who sit at 20-29 and 12th in the East, now plan to make moves with other players on their roster.

Background

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the heart of the Bucks for 13 years. He joined as a teen from Greece and grew into one of the top players in the league. He won MVP awards in 2019 and 2020, and led Milwaukee to its first title since 1971 by beating the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 Finals.

Those good times feel distant now. The team has not made it past the first round of the playoffs in three years. Injuries and uneven play from the core group have held them back. The front office tried to build around Giannis with new players, but the results have not come.

This season, whispers started about Giannis wanting a change. He has hinted at needing a better setup to chase more rings. That sparked calls from teams hoping to pair him with their stars. The Heat and Timberwolves topped the list, but others watched closely as the deadline neared.

The Bucks listened to offers over the past week. They even talked back and forth with some teams. But in the end, they decided to hold steady. One team executive who pitched a deal said the Bucks never seemed ready to pull the trigger.

"They were never serious," said one team executive who discussed a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with Milwaukee.

Milwaukee's record shows why the pressure built. At 20-29, they trail the Chicago Bulls by three games for the 10th spot in the East. They sit seven games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards, but two games behind the Charlotte Hornets. Playoff hopes look slim, which fueled the trade buzz.

Key Details

The news broke hours before the deadline. The Bucks let teams know they would keep Giannis and shift to other trades. They already moved Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to get Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis. More deals could follow as they tweak the roster.

Rumors tied Giannis to the Heat, who have picks and young talent to offer. The Timberwolves also stayed in the mix, hoping to build a powerhouse. Even the Golden State Warriors made moves, trading Jonathan Kuminga for Kristaps Porzingis, which took them out of the running for now.

Bucks' Recent Form

Milwaukee won their last two games, ending a three-game homestand soon. They face the Indiana Pacers at home on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. But with their spot in the standings, some wonder if they will rest Giannis to aim for a better draft pick. The 2026 draft class looks strong, and a high selection could help rebuild.

Giannis has one guaranteed year left on his deal after this season. He can sign an extension in October. That gives him pull over where he lands if things drag into the summer. He has told local reporters he wants to stay and win in Milwaukee, but actions will matter most.

The front office feels no rush to deal him now. They hope to show Giannis they can still compete here. A top draft pick, plus smart free agency moves, might keep him happy. Names like Ja Morant have floated in talk of big swings.

What This Means

For Giannis, this buys time. He stays in Milwaukee for now, but the summer brings real choices. Teams will know their needs after the playoffs. The Knicks or Spurs could jump in if they fall short. Miami and Minnesota can sweeten offers with more assets then.

The Bucks get a chance to prove their plan works. Landing a top-10 pick lets them draft a star to pair with Giannis. They can shop for vets or trade for someone like Morant to boost the lineup. Keeping him avoids a fire sale and keeps fans hopeful.

League-wide, the deadline loses some steam without a Giannis blockbuster. But other moves, like the Bucks' recent trade, keep things active. Rival teams shift focus, knowing summer offers a shot at the two-time MVP.

Milwaukee now eyes the court and draft lottery. Giannis suits up, at least short-term, as the team fights for position. The saga pauses, but it picks up again soon. Fans in Milwaukee breathe easier today, while suitors regroup for the offseason push.