Warriors Deal Kuminga, Hield To Hawks For Porzingis
February 5: The trade is official, the Warriors announced (via Twitter) The Hawks confirmed the deal as well in a press release.
February 4: The Warriors will trade Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis, sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link). It’s a straight player exchange with no draft picks involved, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
The deal ends Kuminga’s long saga with Golden State, which was highlighted by occasional moments of brilliance mixed with frustration over not being able to land a consistent starting role or regular playing time during his five seasons with the team. He was hoping for an exit during restricted free agency last summer, but he didn’t receive an offer sheet and the Warriors shut down any idea of a sign-and-trade despite interest from Sacramento and Phoenix.
Kuminga received several contract offers from Golden State during the process, but he was reluctant to agree to anything that included a team option. He relented shortly before the start of training camp and accepted a deal with a $22.5MM salary for this season and a $24.3MM team option for 2026/27 that will now be controlled by Atlanta.
That agreement also featured a trade kicker, which would be worth roughly $1.3MM at this point, notes ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link).
Over the past few weeks, several teams expressed interest in trading for Kuminga, who has only been available for 20 games this season, but the Warriors were hesitant to take back long-term money in any deal. Instead they get Porzingis, whose $30.7MM expiring contract will give them financial flexibility for the offseason.
Golden State may be interested in a longer arrangement with the 30-year-old big man, as Charania reports that they’ve viewed Porzingis as a potential target for the past two months in their search for another stretch five. Porzingis is a career 36.6% shooter from long distance and played a vital role on Boston’s championship team two years ago, though he has been limited to 17 games this season and is currently sidelined with an illness, which has been a recurring issue for the past year.
After missing an extended stretch of time down the stretch and in the playoffs last season, Porzingis was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). He said in the fall that he was confident about managing the condition, but he has had repeated absences due to illness this season.
Hield, 33, gives Atlanta another outside shooter after sending Vit Krejci to Portland earlier this week. He’s under contract for $9.7MM next season, but only $3MM of that is guaranteed until the day after the draft.
The Hawks could decide to waive both players and have $25MM in cap space this summer, according to Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Twitter link). He adds that they could also use Kuminga’s Non-Bird rights to give him a new contract worth up to $116MM over four years — they likely wouldn’t have to go that high if the plan is to re-sign the forward.
Parting with Kuminga likely signals the end of the Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline. Marc Stein of The Stein Line notes (via Twitter) that he was a central part of Golden State’s offer, which likely reduces the Bucks‘ options to Miami and Minnesota if they’re determined to move him on Thursday.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports that the Warriors contacted Milwaukee several times this week with an offer for Antetokounmpo centered around Kuminga, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski and multiple first-round picks. After receiving a “clear indication” that the Bucks wouldn’t accept that deal, they pivoted to their pursuit of Porzingis.
Warriors Notes: JJJ, Kuminga, Giannis, Butler, Green
The Warriors made two trades prior to Thursday’s deadline, sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta for Kristaps Porzingis, then dealing Trayce Jackson-Davis to Toronto for the Lakers’ 2026 second-round pick. Porzingis and Giannis Antetokounmpo weren’t the only noteworthy big men Golden State had been eyeing, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN (Twitter video link).
“A couple weeks ago, the Warriors had some pretty extensive conversations with the Memphis Grizzlies about Jaren Jackson Jr.,” Shelburne said on NBA Today. “ … I think the Warriors were talking about (trading) two first-round picks (for Jackson)…but then Giannis was maybe available and so they tabled those conversations because they needed those picks in the Giannis trade, and then Utah came in with three-first round picks (for Jackson).”
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Golden State selected Kuminga seventh overall in the 2021 draft. In a statement to ESPN’s Anthony Slater (Twitter link), head coach Steve Kerr discussed the challenges Kuminga faced during his four-and-a-half years with the team. “It was a tough situation for everybody, given how raw he was when he got here and given we were still playing for championships,” Kerr said. “He needed the runway to make more mistakes. He needed the experience of being in the NBA and understanding what it was about. For him, it was very tough not being allowed to make those mistakes. For us as a staff, it was tricky trying to develop him while we were trying to win. I think it’s as simple as that. Everybody liked him. I liked him. He’s a really good guy. Very personable. Well-liked in the locker room. Just a tough fit.”
- The Warriors were relieved to move on from the drama created by Kuminga’s tenure, writes Nick Friedell of The Athletic. They’re also “somewhat optimistic” they’ll be able to revisit Giannis trade talks with the Bucks in the summer, according to Friedell.
- Jimmy Butler will undergo surgery to repair the torn ACL in his right knee on February 9, the team announced today (Twitter link via Friedell). The six-time All-Star forward suffered the injury on Jan. 19.
- Veteran forward/center Draymond Green will remain with the Warriors past the deadline, Slater confirms. The team thinks Porzingis — assuming he’s healthy — will be a good fit alongside Green in the frontcourt, Slater writes. Green was part of Golden State’s offer for Antetokounmpo, but there was never any momentum on a deal, Slater adds.
Trade Rumors: Zubac, Gafford, Bucks, Lakers, Gordon
Ivica Zubac and Daniel Gafford are the Pacers‘ top targets in their search for a starting center, sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link). However, the Clippers are asking for a high price in draft assets to part with Zubac.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints hears that a Zubac deal before the deadline is “extremely unlikely,” adding that it would take at least two unprotected first-round picks and a young player to land him (Twitter link).
Indiana is searching for a reliable center in anticipation of becoming a title contender again when Tyrese Haliburton returns next season. Zubac is under contract for $19.6MM and $21MM over the next two years, which would be an affordable solution for the Pacers. Gafford is signed for the next three seasons at $17.3MM, $18.1MM and $19MM, but it’s not clear how motivated the Mavericks are to move him.
Here are some more trade rumors as the deadline draws closer:
- In the wake of their decision to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo past the deadline, the Bucks notified several teams on Thursday that they’re willing to take on unwanted minimal contracts in return for draft assets, Fischer adds (Twitter link). He also states that Milwaukee is still on the lookout for buying opportunities to upgrade its roster.
- The Lakers are continuing to explore their options “around the margins,” per Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link). However, L.A. is reluctant to make any move that will reduce its projected $60MM in cap space for the offseason.
- The Sixers are looking for a taker for veteran guard Eric Gordon and his $3.6MM expiring deal, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic (Twitter link). Several teams are involved in the discussion, Jones adds.
Bucks Tell Teams They’re Keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Bucks have informed interested teams that they’re hanging onto forward Giannis Antetokounmpo through Thursday’s trade deadline and will begin focusing on separate trade opportunities, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).
The decision removes the top attraction from this year’s pre-deadline trade market and sets up an eventful offseason when rival teams will be able to make more tempting offers.
The Warriors, Timberwolves, Heat and Knicks were believed to be the most active suitors for Antetokounmpo, but the Bucks were signaling to teams over the past few days that they weren’t ready to part with their franchise player, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (Twitter link).
As a result, those teams began focusing on other moves, with Golden State acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Minnesota dealing for Ayo Dosunmu and New York swapping Guerschon Yabusele for Dalen Terry.
ESPN’s Jason Collier reported earlier today that Milwaukee wasn’t feeling pressure to find a deal before the deadline, and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line got the same impression, with one rival executive telling him the Bucks “were never serious” about moving Antetokounmpo prior to this summer (Twitter link).
While holding onto Antetokounmpo could increase his eventual trade value, it also gives him more control over the process. He’s only under contract for one more season at $58.5MM and holds a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28. Being able to opt out next summer means he’ll have some leverage to quash a potential deal if he’s not being sent to a place that he wants to go.
Antetokounmpo will become eligible for a four-year, $275MM extension on October 1 if he remains in Milwaukee, notes Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link). If he’s traded before then, he’ll have to wait six months from the day the deal is finalized until he can sign that maximum extension (he could get a slightly shorter, less lucrative deal within the six-month window).
Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined due to a calf strain, and with the Bucks lingering in 12th place in the East at 20-29, it may be in their best interest to have him sit out the rest of the season to maximize the value of their first-round pick and avoid the risk of injury heading into the summer. However, league sources tell Eric Nehm of The Athletic that Antetokounmpo wants to return to action once he’s fully recovered in hopes of helping the team secure a play-in spot.
Antetokounmpo has been sending out mixed signals about his desire to stay in Milwaukee since trade rumors began to heat up. He said Tuesday that he loves the city and would prefer to retire as a Buck, but he also suggested that he’s not fully convinced that the team can quickly be rebuilt into a title contender, adding that he has to look at his options.
Multiple reports have stated that the Bucks are seeking young talent and draft assets in an Antetokounmpo deal. Several teams that currently have limited draft picks available will be able to increase their offers beginning this June.
Bucks Not Feeling Pressure To Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Bucks aren’t feeling pressure to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of Thursday’s deadline, sources tell Jamal Collier of ESPN.
Although an Antetokounmpo deal in the coming hours remains a possibility, several signs are pointing toward the saga carrying over into the offseason as the 2:00 pm CT deadline nears, Collier writes.
The Knicks and Warriors appear to have backed off their pursuit of the two-time MVP, leaving the Heat, Timberwolves, and any potential mystery teams as the suitors still in the running. But even those clubs still involved have become increasingly dubious that a trade will happen today, Collier notes.
It’s not uncommon for a team to seriously explore the possibility of trading a star player at the deadline and then revisit those conversations in the offseason. The Pelicans memorably took that route with Anthony Davis in 2019 before trading him to the Lakers that summer. The Suns took a similar path with Kevin Durant a year ago, discussing deals in January and February and then holding onto him until July, when he was sent to Houston.
While this is the closest the Bucks have ever come to trading Antetokounmpo, it’s also still not an absolute lock that he’ll be wearing a new jersey by opening night of next season.
According to Collier, Milwaukee has continued to explore the trade market for opportunities to upgrade its roster, hoping to find a buy-low opportunity with a trade partner looking to shed long-term salary. The Bucks have been linked to Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, for instance.
Antetokounmpo said in a conversation with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this week that he still holds great affinity for Milwaukee and would prefer to remain with the Bucks if they could give him a legitimate chance to compete for a championship. He reiterated that message during a separate discussion with Eric Nehm of The Athletic when asked if he’d commit to another season in Milwaukee if the Bucks could build a roster capable of winning consistently.
“You’re saying that if they can convince me to stay within the team, and the next year that we can compete? Oh yeah, 1,000 percent,” Antetokounmpo said. “One million percent.”
Still, it will be extremely challenging for the Bucks – who have a 20-29 record this season – to improve their roster that significantly, given their limited trade assets. The team currently has just one tradable first-round pick, in either 2031 or 2032.
The Bucks may also not be motivated to continue pursuing win-now moves if Antetokounmpo isn’t willing to commit to them beyond next season — he becomes extension-eligible this October and could reach unrestricted free agency as soon as the summer of 2027 if he doesn’t sign a new deal before then.
Trade Rumors: Giannis, Morant, Alvarado, Knicks, Raptors
While Thursday is usually the busiest day of the NBA’s trade deadline week, Tuesday and Wednesday have been more active than usual this season, observes Fred Katz of The Athletic.
There are a number of reasons why that may be the case, but one front office executive who spoke to Katz believes teams are reacting to what happened at last year’s deadline, when physical exams affected two trade agreements. The Sixers and Mavericks slightly reworked the terms of their Caleb Martin/Quentin Grimes deal due to concerns about Martin’s physical, while the Lakers and Hornets rescinded their Mark Williams trade as a result of Williams’ physical.
The Philadelphia/Dallas deal was agreed to and finalized on the Tuesday before the deadline, which allowed the two teams to conduct physical and then amend the terms on Thursday. However, because Los Angeles and Charlotte finalized their deal on Thursday, the issues with Williams’ physical didn’t arise until after the deadline, when negotiations couldn’t be reopened. At that point, the Lakers had just two options: approve the deal anyway or nix it altogether.
Several teams making deals at this year’s deadline may have those situations in the backs of their mind, Katz explains, prompting them to get their business done a little earlier in the week.
Here are more trade rumors from around the NBA, with the deadline just over five hours away:
- The Timberwolves and Heat don’t believe they’re out of the running for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but like Golden State, they remain skeptical that the Bucks are ready to get a deal done today, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link). Fischer, who previously identified Milwaukee as a team to watch on the Ja Morant front, also continues to hear that the Bucks remain engaged with the Grizzlies about the star point guard.
- Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado remains on the Knicks‘ radar, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link). While New York reportedly didn’t have much luck selling New Orleans on a deal that included Guerschon Yabusele, the team may have more success with Dalen Terry‘s expiring contract after agreeing to send Yabusele to Chicago. The Knicks have also expressed interest in Yves Missi, but the Pelicans have reportedly insisted on a first-round pick for him to this point. New York’s only tradable first-rounder is Washington’s top-eight protected 2026 pick, which will likely turn into second-rounders.
- It’s been a busy week for the Bulls, who have finalized three trades and agreed to two more, but they may not be done dealing yet. According to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls’ front office was still talking to teams as of Wednesday night, with a “focus” on the Pelicans and Rockets. Chicago has been linked to Zion Williamson and Missi from New Orleans and Tari Eason from Houston, Cowley notes. However, he says the Bulls haven’t made real progress on the Pelicans’ players, and reports have indicated the Rockets are very resistant to moving Eason.
- After agreeing to two minor deals on Wednesday to duck the luxury tax and add Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Raptors are unlikely to make a major move ahead of Thursday’s deadline, Michael Grange of Sportsnet (Twitter video link) and TSN’s Josh Lewenberg (Twitter video link) said during TV appearances. Toronto has been linked to several notable big men, but some (Anthony Davis and Jaren Jackson Jr.) have been traded to other teams, while Domantas Sabonis appears likely to remain in Sacramento.
Hoops Rumors’ 2026 NBA Trade Deadline Primer
Deadline day is finally here. NBA teams will have until today at 2:00 pm Central time to finalize trade agreements. Anyone not traded by that time will be ineligible to be moved until after his team’s season comes to an end this spring.
After a slow start to trade season, we’ve already seen a ton of fireworks this week. Prior to February 1, only one trade had been completed since opening night, but since Sunday, 10 deals have been finalized and seven more have been agreed upon.
And it’s not as if we’re just getting a bunch of salary dumps. Unlikely buyers like the Jazz and Wizards have pulled off blockbuster moves, with Utah acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. from Memphis in an eight-player, three-pick trade, while Washington agreed to acquire Anthony Davis from Dallas in a deal that will reportedly involve eight players and five draft picks.
The Cavaliers and Clippers got in on the fun by completing a swap of multi-time All-Stars – James Harden and Darius Garland – while players like Coby White, Keon Ellis, De’Andre Hunter, Jaden Ivey, Jared McCain, Kevin Huerter, and Collin Sexton have also been on the move, with Nikola Vucevic, Anfernee Simons, Kristaps Porzingis, Jonathan Kuminga, Lonzo Ball, and Chris Paul set to join them in pending deals.
[RELATED: 2025/26 In-Season NBA Trades]
Those deals took many of this season’s most noteworthy trade candidates off the board, but there are still plenty of storylines to keep an eye on as Thursday’s deadline nears, starting with whether or not the Bucks will actually move two-time Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Rival teams have been skeptical that Milwaukee will pull the trigger on a Giannis trade this week instead of waiting until the offseason, when more teams might enter the mix and current suitors could potentially improve their offers.
It sounds like at least one of the teams involved in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes isn’t counting on a Thursday deal — when Golden State agreed to trade Kuminga to Atlanta, it marked the “unofficial end” of the team’s pursuit of the Bucks star, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania.
While Sam Amick, Nick Friedell, and Fred Katz say that Warriors team sources haven’t entirely closed the door on the possibility of an Antetokounmpo trade, those same sources added that the Bucks weren’t prepared to accept a Golden State offer centered around Kuminga, Draymond Green, four first-round picks, and a pick swap. An “extended lack of communication” from Milwaukee this week has made the Warriors and other teams believe an Antetokounmpo move won’t be happening at this time, per The Athletic.
Even if Antetokounmpo stays put, we could still see plenty of last-minute action on Thursday. Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is among the most notable trade candidates still on the market; the Nets still have a chunk of cap room available to help teams accommodate deals; the Timberwolves and Heat could pivot to alternative options if they don’t expect to land Giannis; and potential sellers like the Kings and Pelicans still have plenty of trade chips available to move.
As those Jazz and Wizards trades show, you also never know when two teams will decide to make a move that none of us saw coming.
We’ll be keeping tabs on all the latest news and rumors all day long on Hoops Rumors, leading up to 2:00 pm CT.
In the meantime, here are some of our features and trackers to help you prepare for today’s action:
- Trades completed so far during the 2025/26 season.
- Players with the ability to veto trades.
- Players with trade kickers.
- Players who are ineligible to be traded.
- Teams with traded player exceptions available.
- Hoops Rumors Glossary:
- Explaining salary aggregation.
- Explaining the Ted Stepien rule.
- Explaining tax aprons and the restrictions that apply to teams above those aprons.
- Traded 2026 first-round picks.
- Traded 2026 second-round picks.
- Cash sent and received in NBA trades in 2025/26.
- Teams with hard caps for 2025/26.
- NBA roster counts.
Note: The majority of these trackers are being updated as trades become official, so pending moves won’t be reflected yet.
Warriors Notes: Green, Kerr, Curry, Butler
Draymond Green wasn’t sure if Tuesday marked his final game with the Warriors, so he delivered comments worthy of a farewell address, writes Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. Green made an unexpected appearance at the podium after the game ended to talk to reporters about what his time in Golden State has meant to him, just in case he gets moved by Thursday’s deadline.
“I think a lot of people want to know how I feel about it, like am I upset about it? I’m not at all,” Green said (Twitter video link). “If that’s what’s best for this organization, that’s what’s best for the organization. I’m not like, ‘Oh man, they f–ked me over or something like that. I don’t really feel that way. If you would have told me 13 and a half years ago, like, ‘Yo, I’m going to hand you this sheet of paper and you can sign it to be in a place for 13 and a half years, would you sign it?’ And I would have signed it faster than you can blink.
“So what do I have to sit and worry about? What do I have to be upset about? I’ve been here for 13 and a half years. That’s longer than probably 98 percent of NBA players have been in one place, this guy from Saginaw has been in a place for 13 and a half years.”
Green’s name has popped up recently in trade rumors, particularly in the Warriors’ negotiations with the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. There’s an assumption that Milwaukee wouldn’t keep him, so if the two teams reach an agreement, it would likely become a three-team deal or he’ll be moved elsewhere in a separate trade. Green holds a $27.7MM player option for next season, so he’ll have a say in determining his future regardless of whether he’s traded or not.
On Tuesday, he was focused on the incredible career he’s had with the Warriors and the legacy of being a four-time NBA champion.
“I don’t know that it ends at 13 and a half, but if it does, what a f–king run it has been,” Green continued. “I’ll take the fine for it. What a f–king run it has been. So that’s just how I feel. I don’t sleep well after games. So if I lose sleep tonight, I promise y’all it’s not because I think I’m betrayed. I just don’t really sleep well after the game.
“But I’m blessed, I’m lucky, I’m grateful. … I don’t know that it ends or whatnot. I don’t. We’ll all see. But if it does, it does. All good things must come to an end at some point. That’s kind of my sentiment and how I feel.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Meeting with reporters before Tuesday’s game, Steve Kerr said this is the first time since he took over as head coach that Green’s name has “really been mentioned” in trade discussions, per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required). “This has definitely been more difficult than most,” Kerr added. “Last year’s (trade deadline) was very difficult as well. We’ve had a lot of years where nobody was really overly concerned about anything, but these last two years, there’s been a lot of chatter and it puts guys on edge for sure.” Green said the idea of leaving Golden State “got real” for him when Kerr asked how his wife is handling the trade speculation.
- Stephen Curry, who’s considered to be the Warriors’ lone untouchable player in Antetokounmpo trade talks, told Howard Beck of The Ringer that he wants to finish his career as a one-team player. “I never would see myself be in a situation where I’m chasing another championship anywhere else but here,” Curry said. “There’s a certain mentality that we’re all trying to figure this out together. But it doesn’t pacify the desire to win.”
- Curry was profoundly affected by the torn ACL that knocked Jimmy Butler out for the rest of the season, Beck adds. “I don’t think I’ve stopped thinking about it since he got hurt, to be honest,” Curry said. “Just the human nature part of it comes in, where you feel like things change drastically. … Me and Coach and Draymond talk about it a good amount, the way our contracts are aligned, the fact that last year, we had such a clear identity and we were so close to getting over the hump.”
Trade Rumors: Morant, Thomas, Gafford, Hawks, Raptors
While Sacramento has been one of the teams linked to Ja Morant, the Grizzlies guard and his camp don’t have interest in a trade to the Kings, according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, who reports (via Twitter) that Morant’s other rumored suitors – the Heat and Timberwolves – would rank much higher on his wish list.
The Kings essentially reciprocate Morant’s tepid interest, says Sam Amick of The Athletic. As Amick explains, Sacramento hasn’t ruled out the possibility of acquiring Morant, but would want Memphis to add draft capital as an incentive to take on his maximum-salary contract, which runs through 2027/28. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are looking to acquire a draft pick or two in a Morant deal, even if it means taking on some unwanted salary.
The Kings also have potential fit and chemistry concerns about Morant, Amick adds, noting that a deal between the two teams appears unlikely.
While that could just leave Miami and Minnesota in the running for Morant, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link) says he’s been advised not to rule out the Bucks. All three of those teams may need resolution on the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation before they can realistically make a play for the Grizzlies guard.
We have more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Nets guard Cam Thomas wasn’t with the team for its flight to Orlando today and is listed as out for Thursday’s game due to personal reasons, tweets Fischer. Thomas holds a de facto no-trade clause after signing his qualifying offer as a restricted free agent in 2025, but has long been considered a trade candidate and is drawing interest from the Cavaliers and Bucks, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
- The Hawks have maintained interest in Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter links), who reports that Dallas has been seeking a first-round pick for Gafford and Atlanta has only been willing to give up second-round capital. Stein’s report came in just before word broke that the Hawks had agreed to acquire Jock Landale from Utah — adding a minimum-salary big man on an expiring deal wouldn’t preclude a trade for Gafford, who is under contract for three more seasons after this one, but it may reduce Atlanta’s need for immediate help in its frontcourt.
- The Raptors were engaged in trade talks with the Mavericks about Anthony Davis before Dallas agreed to send him to Washington, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, who says Toronto also spoke to the Grizzlies about Jaren Jackson Jr. prior to the trade that sent the big man to Utah. The Raptors, who are on the lookout for a frontcourt upgrade, have also discussed Domantas Sabonis but reportedly reached an impasse in their negotiations with Sacramento.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes A ‘Three-Team Race’?
The Timberwolves and Heat both appear far more motivated than the Knicks to make a trade for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo before Thursday’s deadline, Brian Windhorst said today during appearances on ESPN’s Get Up (YouTube link) and First Take (Twitter video link).
Unlike the Warriors, who have up to four tradable first-round picks, Miami can only offer two first-round picks in its package, while Minnesota and New York are unable to trade any of their own first-rounders due to the Stepien rule.
Milwaukee is said to be seeking a combination of blue-chip talent and future draft picks for its two-time MVP, so in order to make the kind of offer the Bucks are seeking, some of those teams would likely need to turn one or more of their veteran players into draft assets. The Knicks don’t appear to be doing that, Windhorst explains.
“I don’t think the Knicks have what’s required on their roster to acquire Giannis,” Windhorst said on Get Up. “So if they wanted to (acquire him), they would be out there trying to trade their current players for draft picks and young pieces that the Bucks would want, and they’re not. So I’m taking the Knicks off the list until I have further information.
“I am seeing that action from teams like the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. They are out there trying to find ways to improve their offer. The best standing offer that I’m aware of belongs to the Golden State Warriors, but I’m not seeing a lot of momentum towards Milwaukee making a Giannis move. It is only Wednesday. We have another day-and-a-half. But I think Milwaukee is seriously considering staying put and pushing this off until summer.”
Windhorst reiterated that point during his appearance on First Take, referring to the Giannis sweepstakes as a “three-team race” involving the Timberwolves, Heat, and Warriors, unless a mystery suitor emerges.
I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a mystery team surfacing, given how many surprises we’ve already had ahead of this week’s trade deadline. However, as Windhorst said again on First Take, the most likely outcome might be Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee.
“The choice is down to Bucks ownership,” Windhorst said. “Because I know that Giannis is ready to move. Giannis is ready to move, these other teams are ready to move, there’s ancillary pieces that teams are ready to move. Is Bucks ownership – in the next 24 hours – going to say, ‘OK let’s move on from him now’? If that answer ends up being yes, you see this (trade happen).”
Windhorst added during a subsequent appearance on ESPN 710 Los Angeles (Twitter video link) that he’s not feeling “deal heat” (ie. momentum toward a trade) on the Giannis front at this time.
Here are more of the latest rumblings related to Antetokounmpo:
- While the Bucks would covet forward Jaden McDaniels in a Giannis deal with the Timberwolves, they’d also want first-round picks that Minnesota can’t currently offer, which is why the Wolves are canvassing the league in search of them, writes Chris Mannix of SI.com. One source tells Mannix that practically everyone on the roster besides Anthony Edwards is believed to be up for discussion, with as many as four teams potentially needed for a trade that would get Antetokounmpo to Minnesota.
- As the Timberwolves and Heat survey the market in an effort to maximize the value of their packages, the Warriors’ offer – which is believed to include Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and first-round picks – remains on the table and has yet to be formally declined, writes Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
- However, the sense is that Green would need to be rerouted if Milwaukee made a deal with Golden State, with Windhorst suggesting on First Take (YouTube link) that the Lakers are one team that would share mutual interest with the longtime Warrior. “If he were traded, his plan would not be to remain in Milwaukee,” Windhorst said of Green. “He would want to be moved on. A team that would be possible if he were traded – and I can’t emphasize the number of ‘ifs’ I’ve said enough before I say this – but the Los Angeles Lakers would be a team he would have interest in and they would have interest in him. But that would require the Bucks to take action on Giannis.” Even if Green isn’t on the move today or tomorrow, Windhorst wonders if including him in these talks might be the first step toward the veteran forward and the Warriors eventually parting ways.
- According to Siegel, many rival front office executives believe the Bucks are gathering as much information as they can from Antetokounmpo suitors right now and then will take that intel into the summer, reopening Giannis trade talks at that time. Mannix also suggests that while a club like the Wolves may be pushing to get a deal done now, there are other teams around the NBA encouraging the Bucks to wait until the offseason, when they’ll be able to enter the bidding or improve their current offer. “Minnesota badly wants to get it done now,” a rival executive told Mannix. “They don’t want to get into a bidding war before the draft.”