Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks, giannis injury update, giannis trade
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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on from the bench during the first half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum on February 04, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly don’t plan to shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo for the rest of the season, despite their unsuccessful attempt to trade the two-time MVP before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Antetokounmpo, currently sidelined with a calf strain, has reportedly made rapid strides in his recovery from the injury and could return before the All-Star Game on Feb. 15. According to insider Chris Haynes, the “Greek Freak” is also trying to play in the All-Star Game, where he will be on Team World as the leading vote-getter.
“Sources close to me told me that he never requested a trade,” Haynes told “NBA on Prime” of Antetokounmpo. “Obviously, he’s been applying pressure over the last couple of years in hopes that the Bucks would turn this roster into a championship-contending roster. He wants to contend for a title for years and years during his prime.”
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Giannis Injury Update
Haynes continued, “But right now, he’s happy. I was told he’s committed and focused on getting back healthy from that calf injury, and he’s progressing really well to the point where he might even play in the All-Star Game on February 15.”
Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since the Jan. 24 game against the Denver Nuggets, when he sustained a non-contact lower leg injury. In the immediate aftermath of his injury, Giannis ruled himself out of 4-to-6 weeks of action. Subsequently, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers revealed there was no set timeline for a Giannis return.
“MRI has revealed exactly what we thought,” Rivers said. “Calf strain, and really no timetable for return. Hopefully, like it was before, sooner, but there’s no timetable.”
Giannis Trade Delayed Until Offseason
Haynes added that the Bucks went through an “intel-gathering phase” ahead of the trade deadline to gauge potential offers in a Giannis trade. They reportedly came to the conclusion that they’d be “better suited” to go through with the move in the offseason.
Some league insiders had floated the possibility of the Bucks shutting down Antetokounmpo to improve their chances of landing a high lottery pick. However, those plans could be jeopardized if the 2021 NBA Finals MVP were to return imminently. According to Haynes, Giannis is keen to make a “playoff push” upon his return.
“So for now, Giannis is happy, he’s focused, he wants to make a playoff push, and this is going to extend another five months.”
The Bucks (20-29) have won two games in a row but face a tall task to qualify for the play-in tournament, let alone secure a guaranteed playoff berth. The Bucks have suffered three consecutive first-round playoff exits, leading to Antetokounmpo’s reported frustration with the roster and a push for a trade from Milwaukee.
For what it’s worth, Antetokounmpo is still eager to deliver another title to the Bucks.
“Brother, if you ask me deep down what I want today, I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career,” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic’s Eric Nehm this week.
“I want to win here, another championship. And if you can tell me that’s possible, let’s just hang up the phone.