Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury has made things more complicated for the Milwaukee Bucks (and trade-hungry teams) ahead of the February deadline.
With Antetokounmpo expected to miss significant time due to a calf strain injury, it becomes even more unlikely that the two-time NBA Most Valuable Playerwill get tradedin the middle of the 2025-26 NBA season.
However, that does not mean that Milwaukee will be closing its door completely on any potential trades.
They can still move some pieces somewhere else for perhaps additional draft capital in preparation of a potential Antetokounmpo departure down the road.
Will the Bucks trade non-Antetokounmpo assets before the deadline?
Outside of “The Greek Freak,” Milwaukee has other players with considerable contracts that the team can ship to create some financial leg space in the team’s cap room.
ViaBobby Marks of ESPN:
With Antetokounmpo currently not available in trade talks, that leaves Turner ($25.3 million), Kyle Kuzma ($22.4 million) and Bobby Portis ($13.5 million) as the most appealing contracts to use in deals ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.
Kuzma and Portis, based on the amount of their 2026 contracts, seem more appealing for other teams than Turner, whose current contract will not expire until at least the end of the 2027-28 season. Turner has a player option for the season after that worth over $29 million. Kuzma’s contract will expire at the end of the 2026-27 campaign, while Portis’ deal has a player option for the 2027-28 season.
The Bucks are struggling to win games, and depending on how the team’s decision makers feel about their chances to turn things around and make a run for the playoffs, they could be heading in the direction of letting go of at least one of Turner, Kuzma and Portis.
Oct 6, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) look for the rebound in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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