Despite the number of trades made in the last 48 hours, perhaps the biggest story of the NBA trade deadline is regarding a deal that was not made: the Milwaukee Bucks are keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite massive trade rumors that have hovered over the star the franchise for months, the truth has come out that Milwaukee was never even close to trading the ten-time All-Star.
All this being said, the path forward for the Bucks organization is clear: they need to accept the reality that this is a lost season and the front office must begin rebuilding/laying plans for the 2026-27 season in earnest.
And they have begun to do so by adding a young player from the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s 2025 NBA Championship team.
The Milwaukee Bucks acquire Ousmane Dieng in trade with the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls
Feb 1, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng (13) attempts a shot under pressure from Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji (22) in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Earlier today, it was reported that the Bucks had traded Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey, two of their off-season acquisitions, to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis. However, as it turns out, Milwaukee and Phoenix pulled the Chicago Bulls in as a third team in the deal.
Richards is no longer joining the Bucks, but is being sent to the Bulls. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng, who Chicago recently acquired from the Thunder, is going to Milwaukee:
Can confirm Bulls are sending Ousmane Dieng to Milwaukee, and Chicago is getting Nick Richards in a three-team deal involving the Suns. Nick Richards isn’t necessarily aged out of the timeline, but is 28. He’s also the only active true center Bulls have at the moment.
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) February 5, 2026
Dieng is averaging 3.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game this season. A former lottery pick (11th overall in 2022), he is still just 22 years old and is still developing as a player.
That being said, Dieng is shooting a career-best 37% from three this season, and could provide Milwaukee with some much-needed front court depth as they await Giannis to become healthy enough to play again.
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