Knicks Rumors: KAT, Giannis, Yabusele, Targets, Bridges
The Knicks reportedly spoke to the Bucks about a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade last offseason after the two-time MVP identified New York as a preferred landing spot, but those talks didn’t go anywhere. That could be partly because Karl-Anthony Towns was rumored to be the Knicks’ outgoing salary, and some people around the league don’t highly value the former No. 1 overall pick.
“I don’t think there is a [trade] market for KAT,” an NBA executive told Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link). “Not that he is a bad player, but he’s not a winning player. … It’s too much money to spend on him.”
Knicks sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that the offseason trade talks involving the two big men created “hard feelings” between Towns and the front office that “remain to this day.”
For his part, Towns downplayed his name being involved in recent trade chatter, Bondy writes in another story. The five-time All-Star has known Leon Rose for years, as the Knicks’ president was Towns’ former agent at CAA, but they haven’t spoken about any of the speculation.
“I feel like I’ve been in trade rumors a lot for a lot of times, for a year damn near. That don’t matter to me,” said Towns, who was traded from the Timberwolves to the Knicks before last season. “I don’t look at social media or none of that stuff. I focus on the job on hand which is trying to get wins every single night. As long as I do that, I do my job, I go home happy and I feel accomplished. I’m not worried about what anybody got to say or people write or anything like that.”
Here are a few more rumors and notes from New York:
- According to Bondy, the Knicks remain highly interested in Antetokounmpo, but Milwaukee is reportedly looking for “blue-chip young talent” and several draft picks in any deal involving the nine-time All-NBA forward, and New York simply lacks the necessary assets to have a competitive bid compared to other teams, which control their future first-round picks. Unless Antetokounmpo specifically requests to be traded to the Knicks, they’re a “long shot” to land him, says Bondy. Of course, even if Giannis does prefer to play in New York, the Bucks aren’t obligated to fulfill the request. New York’s odds of landing Antetokounmpo would theoretically improve in the offseason, Bondy notes, when the team will have two first-round picks to trade, as opposed to the top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick the Knicks currently control from the Wizards that will likely turn into two second-rounders.
- The Knicks are still actively looking to unload Guerschon Yabusele‘s contract and have been talking to multiple teams about possible trades, Bondy reports (subscription required). Bondy continues to hear Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado is on the team’s radar, and confirms Yves Missi is as well. Kings guard Keon Ellis is another player who has fans in the Knicks organization, a source tells Bondy.
- Yabusele, a french forward/center, holds a $5.8MM player option for next season. When asked about the possibility of returning to the EuroLeague at some point, Yabusele didn’t rule it out but said his focus is on the NBA, per Toni Canyameras of Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (Twitter video link). “I feel like that’s a good question,” Yabusele said. “I definitely don’t know what tomorrow is going to be like or anything like that. But I never close my door on anything. Obviously it was so [difficult to make it back] to the NBA [that I’m focused on staying] in the NBA, but we will see what opportunities present themselves. There’s definitely going to be a conversation to have, and [we’ll] see what the [European options are]. We will see. I will never say never [to a potential return].”
- Veteran wing Mikal Bridges has been in a slump for most of the past month, but he torched the Raptors in Wednesday’s win at Toronto, finishing with 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting in 36 minutes. Bridges, a Philadelphia native who played college ball at Villanova, struggled in Saturday’s loss in Philly, scoring just nine points on 3-of-16 shooting. He said that game served as something of a wake-up call (Twitter video link via Knicks on MSG). “I think a lot of it comes from not just shooting the ball, I think I just wasn’t playing how I was supposed to be playing. I think I wasn’t coachable enough,” Bridges said. “I don’t know what it was. Maybe I felt too much entitlement. Just kinda had to talk to myself a little bit about it and just be coachable and be the best teammate I can be and let the basketball speak for itself.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo Intrigued By Wolves, Sixers?
Confirming reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) say the Timberwolves should be included among the group of teams considered serious suitors for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Minnesota doesn’t currently have a tradable first-round pick, but Stein and Fischer hear that Antetokounmpo has “quietly had the Timberwolves in his thoughts” for some time and would be very intrigued by the possibility of teaming up with star guard Anthony Edwards. While Giannis doesn’t hold a no-trade clause, he’ll have some leverage in the Bucks’ trade talks, since any potential trade partner would be reluctant to give up a massive haul for a player who could reach free agency and head elsewhere as soon as 2027.
As Stein and Fischer observe, the Wolves weren’t willing to include forward Jaden McDaniels in an offer for Kevin Durant last year and have been reluctant to make many of their higher-paid rotation players available this season as they scour the trade market for backcourt help. But the expectation is that they’d be much more open to discussing McDaniels and others as part of a potential package for Antetokounmpo.
Surveying the market for the two-time MVP, Stein and Fischer touch on several other teams, including Philadelphia. The Sixers haven’t contacted Milwaukee about a possible Giannis deal to this point, but they’re on his radar, according to The Stein Line’s duo, who point out that Antetokounmpo and Sixers star Tyrese Maxey both work with trainer Drew Hanlen.
Here are several more Giannis-related updates:
- Antetokounmpo’s potential interest in the Heat dates back to at least 2020, when he had Miami high on his list of possible landing spots if he didn’t sign an extension with the Bucks, per Stein and Fischer. He also reportedly had interest in joining the Knicks last summer. Still, it won’t be easy for either team to win a bidding war for the star forward. According to The Stein Line, some sources around the NBA have wondered whether New York missed its window to land Giannis and believe that a complicated multi-team framework would be necessary to get him to the Knicks at this point.
- According to Stein and Fischer, several rival front offices have wondered if the Bucks are trying to establish asking prices with potential Antetokounmpo suitors now before holding a full-fledged auction in the summer, when several teams will have more tradable first-round picks available. “They’re asking for the moon,” one general manager told The Stein Line on Thursday. “All of your young players and all of your draft picks.”
- Early indications are that the Hawks haven’t entered the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes and don’t intend to, Stein and Fischer write. That echoes reporting from Sam Amick of The Athletic, who said Hawks team officials were conveying on Wednesday that they aren’t involved on Giannis and are taking a long-term approach with their roster. Forward Jalen Johnson and the Hawks’ most favorable 2026 first-round pick (either the Pelicans’ or Bucks’ selection) would be extremely valuable trade chips, but Atlanta reportedly isn’t interested in parting with either one and has some reservations about how Antetokounmpo and Johnson would fit together, per Stein and Fischer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Rumors: Wolves, Warriors, Heat, More
The Timberwolves are among the most serious suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo, league sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania. Charania reported on Wednesday that the Bucks star is “ready for a new home” and that Milwaukee is showing more willingness than ever to listen to offers for the two-time MVP.
While Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly is one of the NBA’s most aggressive front office executives, it’s difficult to envision Minnesota putting together a package that would appeal to the Bucks. The Wolves don’t have any tradable first-round picks, so an offer would would have to be heavy on player value. With Anthony Edwards off the table, a package would probably start with Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Donte DiVincenzo.
As talented as those players are, none are All-Stars. Plus, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (YouTube link) anticipates that the Bucks would be seeking a more draft-heavy return if they end up moving Antetokounmpo.
“They have to prioritize the draft,” Windhorst said. “This year’s draft and their pick situation going forward. Their future is going to be tied to (the) draft.”
Here are several more Giannis-related rumors, a week out from the February 5 deadline:
- The Warriors have contacted the Bucks within the past week to convey their “firm” interest in Antetokounmpo and to make it clear they’re prepared to make a strong offer, reports Anthony Slater of ESPN. While Golden State isn’t actively shopping Jimmy Butler, he would be on the table in a Giannis scenario for salary-matching purposes, according to Slater, who adds that the Bucks have some interest in Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. Milwaukee native Brandin Podziemski could also be a factor in those trade talks, Slater notes.
- Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (subscription required) considers what the Heat‘s best deadline for offer for Antetokounmpo might look like, suggesting it would probably consist of Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, Terry Rozier‘s expiring contract, and Miami’s two tradable first-round picks.
- The Rockets are unlikely to get involved in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said in the latest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link). “I have been told that the Rockets will not be bidders,” MacMahon said. “Now, hey, nobody was under oath, but I’ve been told that repeatedly and I’ll say that they’ve got a pretty good track record of shooting me straight.”
- MacMahon also doesn’t anticipate the Spurs being a player for Antetokounmpo. “I have been told by folks with the Spurs, ‘We’re not a home for Giannis,'” he said on the Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link). “And there’s been a lot of smoke going back to the summer, but everything in San Antonio is about the (Victor Wembanyama) timeline, and this is a decade past the Wemby timeline when you bring in Giannis at his age.”
- The Thunder have more than enough assets to make a strong offer for Antetokounmpo, but they shouldn’t – and likely won’t – seriously entertain the idea, according to Rylan Stiles of SI.com, who suggests that making a move for a veteran star like Giannis would shorten Oklahoma City’s window of championship contention.
Pacific Notes: Warriors, James, Clippers, Brooks
Many factors will go into any trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but among realistic suitors, the Warriors could have the cleanest path to putting together a compelling trade package, writes ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Marks looks at 11 teams who could potentially make a move for the Bucks’ star. Among those 11, he has the Warriors and Pistons tied for the lowest degree of difficulty in terms of making an enticing offer due to the two teams’ combination of young players, salary-matching contracts, and available draft picks.
He notes that Jimmy Butler‘s two-year, $111MM contract would be required in any deal for Antetokounmpo, and that the Warriors could then include Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, four first-round picks (including one in this year’s loaded draft) and up to three pick swaps. Such a deal would require taking back either Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma, whom the Bucks would likely be interested in moving off.
While Antetokounmpo’s preference will likely come into play in any deal, the number of picks the Warriors can offer should appeal to the Bucks. By comparison the Heat can only offer two first-rounders starting in 2030, while the Knicks can’t trade a first-round selection until the offseason outside of a protected Wizards 2026 pick that is unlikely to convey.
We have more from around the Pacific Division:
- LeBron James is almost certain to stay with the Lakers through this trade deadline, but some in his circle have speculated he could play another season in the NBA somewhere outside of Los Angeles, reports Shams Charania for ESPN (YouTube video link). “If he does actually play one more season, there is definitely chatter,” Sharania said. “Where could that be? Could that be in Cleveland? Where could that be? Could it be back in L.A.?” Charania emphasized that James’ focus at present is playing out the year with the Lakers, who will be active trying to improve the team at the trade deadline.
- With Patrick Baldwin Jr.‘s 10-day deal having expired, the under-15 clock is back on for the Clippers, notes Spotrac’s Keith Smith (via Twitter). This rule prevents a team from having its two-way players active for more than 90 combined games while carrying fewer than 15 players on its standard roster. Unless the team re-adds a 15th man, Los Angeles has just five more games in which both Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller can be active. Converting one of the two of them to a standard contract after the trade deadline could solve the issue, with Miller looking the more likely candidate for a promotion. The third-year wing has averaged 14.3 points in 28.5 minutes per game over his last 10 games.
- A technical foul that Dillon Brooks received in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game between the Suns and Nets, the NBA announced (Twitter link). This puts Brooks at a league-leading 14 technicals for the season, one ahead of the Lakers’ Luka Doncic, which means he’s still two techs away from a one-game suspension.
Warriors, Heat Have Discussed Andrew Wiggins
The Warriors and Heat have had conversations about the possibility of a trade that would send forward Andrew Wiggins back to Golden State, according to reports from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) and Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
Wiggins was initially dealt from the Warriors to the Heat in the Jimmy Butler blockbuster at last season’s trade deadline. However, with Butler recovering from an ACL tear and Kuminga’s days in Golden State seemingly numbered, the Warriors’ search for help on the wing has led them back to the former No. 1 overall pick, who is still highly regarded within the organization, sources tell Siegel.
A Golden State offer for Wiggins would almost certainly start with Kuminga, and Miami has shown some interest in acquiring the fifth-year forward, according to Siegel. Still, there are several factors which could complicate talks between the two clubs.
For one, chatter around the NBA indicates the Heat have been seeking at least one first-round pick in exchange for Wiggins, per Siegel. It’s unclear whether the Warriors have conveyed a willingness to put a first-rounder on the table.
Golden State is also operating right up against a second-apron hard cap and would need to add more salary beyond Kuminga’s $22.5MM cap hit to take back Wiggins, who is earning $28.2MM this season, with a $30.2MM player option for 2026/27. Adding Moses Moody ($11.6MM) or Buddy Hield ($9.2MM) would make it a legal trade for the Warriors, but the Heat would have their own reservations about taking on much additional money, since they’re operating just $1.6MM below the luxury tax line.
Finally, if they do part with Wiggins, the Heat would prefer to use his salary to bring back a star-level player, Fischer writes. Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is one such player, and the fact that both Miami and Golden State reportedly covet the two-time MVP would presumably make it more difficult for the two teams to work out a separate trade that could impact their chances of making a play for Giannis.
The Bucks have “long coveted” Wiggins, according to Fischer, though he points out that Milwaukee’s interest in the 30-year-old has been framed as part of the team’s efforts to upgrade its roster around Antetokounmpo. It remains to be seen whether Wiggins would still appeal to the Bucks as part of a package for Giannis.
In 43 games (all starts) for the Heat this season, Wiggins has averaged 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.2 steals in 31.3 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .470/.390/.789.
Giannis Reportedly ‘Ready For New Home’; Bucks Listening To Offers
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is “ready for a new home,” either at next week’s trade deadline or this offseason, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania.
According to Charania, multiple teams have made “aggressive” trade offers for Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have begun listening to those pitches. While rival clubs have gotten the sense that Milwaukee is more open than ever to weighing offers on or before February 5, the Bucks have conveyed that they’re willing to wait until the summer to address the forward’s future if their asking price isn’t met, Charania writes.
Sources tell ESPN that the Bucks are believed to be seeking “blue-chip young talent” and several draft picks in any deal involving the two-time MVP. Waiting until after the 2026 draft lottery to make a deal could give Milwaukee a clearer sense of exactly which picks teams are prepared to offer for Antetokounmpo, Charania notes.
Antetokounmpo told The Athletic earlier this month that he’ll “never” come out and say he wants a trade, and that it’s not in his nature to make such a request. However, Charania hears that Giannis and the Bucks have had “honest and open conversations” about the future and that the 31-year-old has suggested to the team “for months” that he thinks it may be time to part ways.
The Knicks reportedly spoke to the Bucks about a possible Antetokounmpo trade last offseason after Giannis identified New York as a preferred landing spot. Those talks didn’t go anywhere, but Ian Begley of SNY.tv tweets that the Knicks will be among the teams aggressively pursuing Giannis now that Milwaukee is apparently prepared to open up the bidding to a larger group of suitors.
The Heat will also be in pursuit of Antetokounmpo, tweets Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. As we relayed earlier today, a Marc Stein report named Miami as a possible frontrunner for the Greek star, with Stein citing a “vibe of confidence” coming from the Heat.
Although the Knicks and Heat will be among the teams trying to land Antetokounmpo, neither club is loaded with the type of draft assets that the Bucks would presumably be seeking in a blockbuster of this magnitude. The Knicks don’t currently have any tradable first-round picks, while Miami can offer just two first-rounders as a result of a protected 2027 pick owed to Charlotte that creates Stepien rule complications.
As Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron points out (via Twitter), both teams would be better equipped to pursue Giannis in the offseason, when the Heat could offer up to four first-round picks (one would be conditional) and the Knicks could offer two.
The Warriors are also considered a likely suitor for Antetokounmpo, with Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints referring to him as Joe Lacob‘s “dream” trade target. Golden State has indicated it would be willing to offer a package that includes Jimmy Butler (who recently suffered an ACL tear), Jonathan Kuminga, and multiple draft picks, sources tell Chris Mannix of SI.com.
The Warriors have traded their 2030 first-round pick with top-20 protection, but could still offer first-rounders in 2026, 2028, and 2032, and could even include that ’30 pick in a package by attaching 21-30 protection.
The Raptors are another club with legitimate interest in Giannis, Siegel adds. Toronto controls all of its future first-round selections.
Trade speculation has swirled around Antetokounmpo for years and has gained steam since last spring, when the Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for a third straight year as star point guard Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles tear.
Milwaukee’s front office aggressively reshaped the roster around Giannis in the offseason, waiving and stretching the final two years of Lillard’s maximum-salary contract in order to bring in center Myles Turner, one of the top free agents on the market. But those moves haven’t paid dividends for the Bucks, who fell to 18-27 on the season on Tuesday and are three-and-a-half games out of a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Bucks have scoured the trade market during the season and made players like Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis available as they look to improve their roster, but they haven’t gained traction on any deal they like. Charania suggests Antetokounmpo’s uncertain future and Milwaukee’s lack of appealing trade assets have complicated that search for roster upgrades.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported over the weekend that rival teams believed the prospect of an Antetokounmpo trade was becoming more realistic. Reiterating that point today, Fischer says (via Twitter) multiple sources viewed last Wednesday’s loss to Oklahoma City – and Giannis’ comments after the game – as a point of no return for the Bucks and their longtime star.
Charania reported last week that Antetokounmpo’s frustration level was at an “all-time high” and writes within his latest story that the uncertainty around the forward’s future has resulted in some unease and tension in the Bucks’ locker room.
Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined by a calf strain and appears unlikely to suit up again before next Thursday’s trade deadline. The Bucks haven’t provided a projected timeline for his recovery, but Giannis predicted after sustaining the injury last Friday that he’d be out for four-to-six weeks.
With Milwaukee struggling to win games and Antetokounmpo not expected to play anytime soon, the team could be incentivized to pivot to tanking mode – with or without a Giannis trade – during the second half of the season in order to secure a favorable pick in the 2026 draft. The Bucks don’t control their own selection, but they’ll have the last favorable of the Pelicans’ first-rounder and their own — given that New Orleans holds a 12-37 pick, even the lesser of those two picks should end up firmly in the lottery.
Antetokounmpo is earning $54.1MM this season, with a guaranteed $58.5MM salary for 2026/27 and a $62.8MM player option for ’27/28. He’ll be eligible to sign a new maximum-salary extension as of this October.
Heat May Have Best Chance For Giannis Antetokounmpo Deal By Deadline
There are mixed signals on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market, with sources from two teams telling Marc Stein of The Stein Line (subscription required) they believe a deal is possible before next week’s deadline, while a representative from another club expects the Bucks to wait until the offseason to get serious about parting with their franchise player.
League executives contacted by Stein consider the Heat to have the best chance at putting together a tempting deal for the Greek star. There’s also a “vibe of confidence” coming from Miami about a potential Antetokounmpo trade, according to Stein.
Stein states that the team’s best offer would be centered around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware and draft assets.
Herro is coming off an All-Star season, but injuries have limited him to 11 games so far this year and he’s currently dealing with a rib issue. He is only 26 and under contract for one more season at $33MM, and he would provide a reliable scoring threat to replace much of the production Milwaukee would lose by parting with Antetokounmpo.
Ware could be a long-term foundational piece for the Bucks’ frontcourt. The second-year center has shown a lot of promise and is averaging 11.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game at age 21, but he’s also been a frequent target of public criticism from Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. Ware has two seasons left on his rookie contract and will become eligible for an extension next summer.
Miami controls all its future first-round draft capital, except for a pick that was sent to Charlotte in last year’s Terry Rozier trade. That pick is lottery-protected in 2027 and unprotected in 2028.
It appears the weight of constant trade speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo — coupled with his continued absence due to a right calf strain — is having an effect on the Bucks, who fell to 18-27 with Tuesday’s loss to Philadelphia, Stein adds.
“I can’t wait until all the deadlines and stuff pass … because we’re Rumor Central,” coach Doc Rivers said. “It’s unbelievable. Some true, some not true. I don’t know what half of it is true, but it’s a distraction at times for sure.”
Stein’s Latest: Towns, Holiday, Knicks, Davis, Eason
Steve Popper of Newsday reported last week that the Knicks have talked to multiple teams about the possibility of trading Karl-Anthony Towns. Ian Begley of SNY.tv and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported differently, stating that they haven’t heard any buzz about the Knicks discussing Towns trades.
Sources told Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link) on Monday that the Knicks haven’t been “shopping” the 30-year-old or talking Towns trades with opposing teams. Bondy acknowledges that could change in the coming days, but he doesn’t expect the former No. 1 overall pick to be on the move by February 5.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link), while New York’s front office has attempted to downplay Towns-related chatter, some rival teams believe that’s just posturing and that the five-time All-Star may be available under certain circumstances. At minimum, those clubs think the Knicks want to know what the market for Towns would look like, Stein writes.
Towns, 30, has averaged 20.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .469/.364/.856 shooting through 42 games this season (31.6 minutes per contest). He’s under contract through 2027/28, including a $61MM player option in that final season.
Here are a few more trade rumors from Stein’s latest round-up:
- Stein has heard “rumbles” that the Knicks have explored the viability of trying to trade for Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday. Acquiring Holiday might make New York an even more appealing landing spot for his former Bucks teammates Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to Stein, who adds that the Knicks are said to be longtime fans of the six-time All-Defensive member and view him as a strong fit in the backcourt next to Jalen Brunson.
- Despite the external chatter about New York potentially weighing major moves, sources close to the Knicks have insisted to Stein that they’re more focused on small-scale deals involving Guerschon Yabusele, who makes $5.5MM this season and holds a $5.8MM player option for 2026/27.
- Anthony Davis appears unlikely to be traded prior to the deadline, Stein confirms. The Mavericks are expected to continue fielding offers for the injured big man over the next several days, but there doesn’t seem to be any momentum towards a deal and Stein hears the 10-time All-Star prefers to stay with Dallas for the remainder of the season.
- The Rockets have made Tari Eason off limits in trade talks ahead of the deadline, Stein reports. The 24-year-old forward, who has dealt with a variety of injuries over the past few seasons, is converting a career-high 46.6% from three-point range in ’25/26 and will be a restricted free agent in the summer.
- In case you missed it, we passed along several more rumors from Stein on Sunday.
Latest On Giannis Antetokounmpo
Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed that Giannis Antetokounmpo has been diagnosed with a right calf strain on Monday, but he claimed the Bucks don’t have a timeline for the two-time MVP’s return, per Steve Megargee of The Associated Press.
“There’s really no timetable,” Rivers said.
Antetokounmpo said he expected to be out four-to-six weeks after reinjuring his calf in Friday’s loss to Denver.
“I felt like I couldn’t explode,” Antetokounmpo said after the game. “I could jog. I couldn’t get on my toes, so I was kind of jogging on my heel the majority of the game. I didn’t have the same explosiveness, but I still felt like I could help. At the end, when it popped, I had to get out. I couldn’t walk.”
As Megargee notes, Antetokounmpo initially strained his right soleus — one of the muscles in the calf — on December 3, causing him to miss eight games last month. He has also strained his left calf multiple times, but Rivers said the Bucks haven’t considered shutting the 31-year-old down for the rest of the season.
“There’s no thought to that,” Rivers said. “But listen, there’s no timetable either.”
Here’s more on Antetokounmpo, whom rival teams believed the Bucks might make available before the injury:
- If the Bucks decide to listen to offers for Antetokounmpo prior to the trade deadline, which teams would be in the best position to pursue him? Bobby Marks of ESPN breaks down all 29 opposing teams into tiers, including a group of 10 clubs who have the most to offer Milwaukee. According to Marks, the Pistons, Raptors and Trail Blazers — in that order — stand out as three teams who would theoretically have the least difficulty trading for the Greek superstar.
- The Knicks were reportedly Antetokounmpo’s preferred destination last offseason. How could they pull off a trade for the 10-time All-Star? Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link) explores that subject, writing that New York would likely need at least one additional team to act as a facilitator to make a deal work. Gozlan points to the Trail Blazers as a logical fit in that scenario, as they’re said to be fans of Mikal Bridges and control Milwaukee’s first-round picks from 2028-30.
- Henry Abbott of TrueHoop spoke to several NBA sources last week and all agreed the Bucks and Antetokounmpo appear destined to part ways, the only question is whether it will occur in the next 10 days or in the offseason. Abbott also heard a rumor that Antetokounmpo was considering firing his longtime agent Alex Saratsis over his inability to get his client traded, with Rich Paul apparently hoping to capitalize if that comes to fruition. Abbott acknowledges it’s hard to know what’s true and what isn’t, since he received conflicting feedback from his sources, but he notes that players only have to wait seven days to swap agents now instead of 15, so it’s possible it could still occur before the deadline. Saratsis was still listed as Antetokounmpo’s agent as of Monday, Abbott notes.
Stein’s Latest: Morant, Ellis, Marshall, Antetokounmpo, Bulls
The Grizzlies are still very open to trade offers on Ja Morant, who is expected to miss at least three weeks with an elbow sprain, Marc Stein writes in his latest column for The Stein Line (Substack link).
However, those hoping to buy low on the often-injured star point guard may have to recalibrate, as Stein reports that there is internal pressure facing the team to bring back more than the favorable contracts that the Hawks got in return for Trae Young.
Stein also speculates that, should Morant stay on the team past the trade deadline, there could be some level of friction between Morant and the Grizzlies’ head of basketball operations, Zach Kleiman. As Stein explains, in addition to making it clear that Morant was available, Kleiman backed coach Tuomas Iisalo when the point guard and coach butted heads earlier in the season. The team also didn’t offer the two-time All-Star an extension last offseason when he became eligible.
Morant has played just 20 games this season and is averaging a career-low 28.5 minutes per night, though he has matched his career high as a facilitator, dishing out 8.1 assists per game.
We have more from Stein’s latest newsletter:
- Keon Ellis has emerged as perhaps the most likely player to be traded at the deadline, Stein writes. Ellis has struggled to keep a consistent spot in the Kings‘ rotation, but reports have nevertheless indicated that there are a handful of teams targeting the defensive-minded guard, which has led Sacramento to set an asking price of a first-round pick for him. According to Stein, some sources believe that the Kings trading Ellis is almost certain to happen.
- Stein confirms previous reports that the Mavericks highly value Naji Marshall as a part of their post-Luka Doncic core, but that doesn’t mean Marshall is untouchable. Stein writes that the starting point on any trade offer for the versatile wing must be a first-round pick, as far as Dallas is concerned. He adds that Max Christie is another valued member of the core moving forward, and the team is focused on securing him a spot in the three-point contest, not finding a deal to move him.
- The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade landscape continues to be murky, especially following the announcement that he is likely to miss extended time due to a calf injury. According to Stein, multiple teams are still engaging with the Bucks in trade talks in the hopes of landing him at the trade deadline, injury notwithstanding.
- The Bulls are strongly expected to make a move involving one of their guards, Stein writes, with Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu the two most likely players to be on the move. He confirms Jake Fischer’s previous report that Nikola Vucevic could very well play out the season with the Bulls and depart in free agency this summer.