Bucks countering trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo

  • February 2, 2026

  • Jamal CollierFeb 2, 2026, 05:14 PM ET

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      Jamal Collier is an NBA reporter at ESPN. Collier covers the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and the Midwest region of the NBA, including stories such as Minnesota’s iconic jersey swap between Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson. He has been at ESPN since Sept. 2021 and previously covered the Bulls for the Chicago Tribune. You can reach out to Jamal on Twitter @JamalCollier or via email Jamal.Collier@espn.com.

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As the NBA trade deadline approaches in three days, interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo is intensifying, with the Milwaukee Bucks now responding to aggressive inquiries from teams eager to acquire the two-time MVP by presenting their own counter-proposals, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday, citing sources.

Although the Bucks have consistently resisted transferring Antetokounmpo during his entire tenure with Milwaukee, they are now proactively engaging several franchises regarding a trade that could significantly impact the league.

According to ESPN sources, the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and New York Knicks are currently the most proactive teams pursuing a transaction before the deadline.

Milwaukee, with a record of 18-29, experienced its fifth straight defeat on Sunday in a dominant loss against the Boston Celtics, placing them 12th in the Eastern Conference. To relinquish their cornerstone player, the Bucks are seeking either a promising young star player or a substantial collection of future draft selections, or both, as compensation, ESPN sources indicated.

Sources at ESPN revealed that Antetokounmpo has communicated to the Bucks over several months his conviction that after more than 12 years with the team, it is time for them to separate.

This season, he has participated in 30 games, achieving averages of 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while shooting 64%. He is presently out of commission due to a right calf injury, which he personally projected would sideline him for a period of four to six weeks. The Milwaukee organization has not issued an official schedule for his recovery.

This week, Milwaukee is set to commence a series of three home games, featuring matchups against Chicago and New Orleans, occurring before the deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.