The trade sweepstakes for Giannis Antetokounmpo have taken an unexpected turn this Wednesday.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported last week that trade offers for Antetokounmpo will be entertained before the deadline on Feb. 5. The Milwaukee Bucks tried to avoid this scenario for the past few months. Now that they're 19-29 and sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, they might be better off trading away the future Hall of Famer.
NBA reporter Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported that Minnesota is a viable suitor for Antetokounmpo ahead of the trade deadline. A deal hasn't materialized just yet, but the front office's pursuit of the two-time MVP can't be ignored.
"As the hours tick toward the NBA trade deadline, Minnesota's aggressive pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo has drawn attention," Mannix said. "The Timberwolves are on Antetokounmpo's so-called list, sources tell Sports Illustrated, with the Wolves operating under the belief that Antetokounmpo would not only welcome a deal to Minnesota-where he would be paired with 24-year-old Anthony Edwards-but be ready to sign a long-term extension."
The Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat have also been mentioned as potential options for Antetokounmpo this week. According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, the Warriors are willing to offer their first-round picks up until 2032.
Jan 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images © Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
Will the Bucks keep Giannis?
Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein is reporting that Milwaukee prefers to keep "The Greek Freak" not just for the rest of the 2025-26 season, but for years to come. In order for that to happen, they're trying to sell him on the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery.
"League sources say that the Bucks - who deep down would still prefer not to trade their Face of the Franchise - believe that a bolt of lottery luck in May could still keep alive Milwaukee's dream of convincing Antetokounmpo to extend the relationship one more time," Stein said.
We're not so sure Antetokounmpo will buy that recruiting pitch, especially if title contenders are knocking on his door.
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