The Milwaukee Bucks are scrambling to hold onto Giannis Antetokounmpo. After several hints from him about possibly leaving, the team finds itself under intense pressure. They need immediate, important wins to keep their superstar satisfied.
Currently, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks occupy the 11th spot with 17-23 in the Eastern Conference, putting them outside the play-in picture if the season ended today. That standing suggests the Bucks may be targeting a key addition to strengthen their roster and boost their playoff chances this season.
Bleacher Report proposed a crazy trade that would send frequently injured forward Anthony Davis to the Milwaukee Bucks to strengthen their playoff chances. Under the proposal, the Mavericks would receive Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Andre Jackson Jr., and 2031 and 2032 first-round pick swaps, while the Bucks would land Davis.
The Bucks trade package for Anthony Davis
Oct 26, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) looks to hand the ball off to guard D’Angelo Russell (5) during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The proposal would force Milwaukee to sacrifice a sizable package for a player with a long injury history. Kuzma, who did not deliver after arriving at last year’s deadline, carries minimal value by himself, leaving the Bucks little choice but to bundle him into a larger deal if they want to extract any return.
Moving Porter Jr. would strip Milwaukee of its starting point guard and push the Bucks into leaning on Ryan Rollins or Cole Anthony to run the offense. Surrendering two future first round pick swaps also carries major risk, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long term future still uncertain. If he were to leave, Milwaukee could quickly slide toward the bottom of the league, turning those swaps into premium assets for another team rather than protection for the Bucks.
Mar 26, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) puts up a shot against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) in the second overtime at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
The Bucks figure to stay active as the trade deadline approaches, with inaction feeling unlikely given where the team stands. The Bucks need an upgrade, and it would be surprising if the deadline passed without a move aimed at improving the roster. Even if a name like Davis never materializes, the front office is still expected to push for a notable addition to reshape the team.
Pressure continues to build around the Bucks as they work to secure Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. Letting him slip away would cost the franchise its centerpiece and test the patience of the fan base. Jon Horst and the front office now focus on keeping the roster competitive and unified, knowing their decisions must reinforce confidence and show a clear commitment to winning.