If Kendrick Perkins had his way, someone would be calling the police on the Milwaukee Bucks organization as the clock ticks down toward the NBA's 3 p.m. trade deadline on Thursday.
Former NBA champion Perkins is displeased with how the Bucks have handled Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks, as the chances of a blockbuster trade involving the wantaway two-time MVP decrease ahead of the deadline.
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Speaking on ESPN's NBA Countdown, Perkins said that the Bucks are holding Antetokounmpo "hostage" despite the 31-year-old's clear desire to continue his legendary career in another city.
"Giannis is trying to be polite about this," Perkins said. "He has gone to those people behind closed doors, and let it be known that he wants to be traded. Why are they not making the move?"
Kendrick Perkins thinks the Bucks organization is holding Giannis hostage:
"Right now, this is on the Milwaukee Bucks. Somebody need to actually call the police. I want an investigation because they holding the man hostage" pic.twitter.com/ypJY08u6AJ
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 4, 2026
NBA insider Brian Windhorst told Perkins that Antetokounmpo's lack of public pressure has seen the Bucks take a more relaxed approach to his future. Milwaukee understands that Antetokounmpo would like to play elsewhere, but they haven't been rushed to take an offer that they don't like.
In Perkins' mind, that makes the Bucks' approach to trade talks in recent days even worse.
"Giannis actually cares about his legacy and cares about what people feel about him," Perkins said. "And that organization knows that."
Antetokounmpo is currently out with a calf strain. As the 20-29 Bucks continue to trudge through the regular season, it is growing more likely that the Greek Freak has played his last game for Milwaukee -- and more likely that any trade talks involving him will be tabled until the offseason.
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