Bobby Marks’ Giannis trade guide + Cooper Flagg’s LIVING UP to the hype 😤 | NBA Today

All right, now we move on to Dallas where Cooper Flag and Anthony Davis hosted the Miami Heat. There’s Coupe, him and AD. AD going to work. He kicks it to Coupe. Pulls up from the elbow. Good to go. Mavs down five now. Early in the third, Mavs up here by 13. Ryan Nemhard finds AD for the hammer. He’s healthy. Early in the fourth, Mavs up eight. Davis connects with Flag again. He gets the and one. When does he turn 19? December 21st. Wow. Missed the free throw there. Two minutes to go. Dallas up six. Flag gets it back. Wonder Boy spin turnaround jumper. The Wonder Boy was the guy who left Dallas last year. Yeah, it’s your book if someone wants to pick it up. Andrew Wiggins against Flag. Flag rejects him. Plays both ends of the floor. It’s amazing when you have him playing in position how much better he looks. Next Mavs possession. AD going to work here. Finds flag underneath and that’ll do it. Mavs. What do you think? Four, five. Super Flag at the four. Mavs win their third straight. All right, welcome back here. So, Tim, the goggles, if you’re wearing the protective glasses, you already got many. Oh, yeah. I mean, I think the glasses and the goggles are like a two for one kind. That’s how bad your eyesighted. Yeah, it’s true. All right. What’s been the key here on this three-game win streak? I mean, look, it obviously helps to have Anthony Davis back in the lineup and healthy, but this is being driven by the rookies plural. Okay, Cooper Flag is living up to the hype. He is as he was build, but the contribution they’re getting from undrafted rookie Ryan Nimhard on a two-way contract has started the last four games. Folks, last two games, 43 points, 23 assists, one turnover. one that’s never been done by a rookie drafted or not ever. You if you watched him in college though, this is what he did at Gonzaga. Like he did not turn the ball over. He controlled the game. He could shoot the ball. He is a real offensive threat. Yeah. And that’s Andrew’s little brother, right? I mean, this is And you do mean little. Yeah. 5’11. Listed. Mhm. Listed at 5’11. Okay. Um but he’s he’s a he’s on a two-way deal, but he stepped right into there. And the Lakers immediately, his first game when he played, they threw LeBron at him hoping he’d be scared, right? Like, oh, I got LeBron. He did great. They didn’t People aren’t necessarily guarding him yet. They’re not They’re sort of letting him shoot and seeing if that he can beat him, but he’s beating them. And it’s amazing when you have a real point guard out there, how different everything else looks because Cooper Flag where Jason Kid would have him in that role. When he was playing point guard, he had the best perimeter defender on him all the time. That’s high pressure like an Aean Thompson on you. real different when you play more of a point forward and you have a and you have a forward defending you and I think that’s been a huge difference. 80s back at the five. I know that’s not his favorite position, but he’s suited there. You know what? I’m interested in this win streak and if it continues to go uh they’ve got Oklahoma City next, but that’s that’s against everybody, right? Like count that. But Kyrie, I I just I remember hearing before that if it looks competitive, he’s chomping at the bit to come back. if he’s available late December, I mean late uh January or February and they’re being competitive with a healthy Anthony Davis, what does Kyrie look like back in that lineup? Yeah. And I think they’re going to have to be competitive for that to be a conversation that now you still have to view everything in Dallas through the prism of Cooper flag and the long term. I I believe they are still going to explore the trademark of Anthony Davis, but this discovery of of of Nimhard and his development alongside Coopa Flag is huge. And I don’t know if he’s going to be a long-term starter. I know this guy’s going to be a long-term face the franchise flag. With Nimhard, though, there’s some JJ Beret vibes. I like that. I think this guy is going to be at least a significant part of this team moving forward. And for a team that doesn’t have their picks after this year for a while, that kind of discovery is huge. Parting gift from Nico Harrison, does he get credit for it? Yeah. Well, hey, if we’re going to blame him for the Russ player off, we got to give him credit for Ryan Nhard. He did for sure. Spokane, Washington, recruit them Gonzaga guys, man. Yeah, they could play them and Villanova guys who played with Jay Wright back in the day. Expected to be sidelined for approximately two to four weeks because of a right calf strain. Our Sham Shirania reported earlier this Thursday the injury occurred yesterday after Shams reported that Giannis is mulling his future with the Bucks having conversations with the team and discussing whether his best fit is indeed with Milwaukee or elsewhere. All right, you hear that? That’s Bobby March’s music. big money marks because on ESPN.com, my new favorite nickname, espn.com right now. If you go there, our front office insider contributed to a story dealing with uh and detailing Giannis’ potential destinations. There’s five of them, in fact, and it’s a race now potentially for Giannis. So, we’re figuring we get ahead of the race here. Bobby, let’s start with exactly uh what the Bucks are going to do here looking for in regards to a return for the two-time uh MVP. Let’s take before we get to like potential suitors. What are you expecting as far as a return? Well, I’ve got, you know, certainly high criteria and I think certainly Milwaukee does here. I think you got to check off the three three main criteria when you look at draft capital, something Milwaukee doesn’t have. Young players on controllable contract, something Milwaukee does not have, and sizable contracts just to make the money work. And I think you’d like to see something like that in either players on a one or two-year deal. So, those are three things that I would look at if if you’re Milwaukee. And I think as we go through this experiment of looking at these certain teams, I think you’re going to find what eventually the winner is going to be as far as that three team uh three criteria. All right, so here’s how we’re going to break this down. We’ve got five teams, right? So, we’re going to start with two and then we’re going to knock one out and then we’re going to bring in the next one. It’s like the Royal Rumble of trades here uh for NBA. All right, let’s take a look at the Knicks. That was the team everyone talked about, Shams reported back in August, that he was potentially looking at joining. And we’ll bring in the Warriors here to the table. The Knicks can build a trade centered around Cat, a firstrounder at three swaps, while Golden State could package Draymond, Kaminga, Buddy Heield, and four first. What deal is more appealing of the two here, Bobby? Yeah, I think it’s it’s certainly what Golden State can offer based on just the the draft picks here. I I don’t like what New York has from a trade standpoint. Remember, they only have one first round pick and that’s a protected pick that the Wizards have and that’s likely not going to convey. And then you have the Carl Anthony Towns contract who is certainly an AllNBA player here. But then you have to figure out do you want to extend Towns this this off season here. So for me it’s it’s Golden State as far as really just based on those future first round picks for a roster that is certainly aging in Golden State. All right. So, if we lose the Knicks, let’s compare what the Warriors can offer, which we already saw, against the Rockets. So, let’s take a look at this Rockets deal here. If they see if they can trump the Dubs packaging Shangon, Van Vleet, and an unprotected Suns pick. Go ahead, Bobby. Well, as soon as I saw that name Sangon on there, my eyes perked up here. So, certainly what Houston has. I think that Phoenix pick is enticing here because it’s not the Rockets own first and it’s a pick that a Phoenix team that we don’t know will be in 2027 and as we’ve talked about that those Golden State picks are enticing here but the combination of Draymond Green and Jonathan Gaminga for me doesn’t do it. It certainly I like what Houston has to offer here. All right, but does Houston have the best deal of any team in Texas is the question here. In your story on ESPN.com, there was a potential trade laid out for the Spurs with Stefan Castle, Harrison Barnes, and three firstrounders. Which deal do you like more? Houston still sangon as far as being part of that that deal here. I I do feel that this San Antonio uh trade for projected trade is a quality trade when you look at rookie of the year Stefon Castle. But here’s the thing, George. Three future first round picks. This is a roster that’s still going to have Victor Wmanyama, Giannis, and Dylan Harper on her. What’s the value there of that? Okay, fair enough. And then there were two. The last proposed deal would keep Giannis in the East heading to Atlanta in exchange for Trey Young, former number one overall pick Zachary Reese, and four first rounders. One of which would be a potential crown jewel here because it’s that New Orleans unprotected pick this year that was all Bihood and discussed. So, Bobby, who takes the cake here? Well, it’s Atlanta because as we mentioned when the segment started, they checked the three criterias. When you look at the draft picks, remember this is a Pelican pick that could potentially fall in the top five. Now, when you add Milwaukeee’s own in in um in New Orleans, you could be having two lottery picks. And then you look at future draft assets here. Certainly, three first round picks. A player in Trey Young, yes, there are certainly some flaws with him, but still an all-star player. He’s got a player option for next year. and a former number one pick, Zachary Rishet, who you don’t have to figure out on an extension until 2027. So, controllable contracts, rookie players, draft equity, and players on short-term deals. It’s Atlanta that has the most to offer in a Giannis trade. All right, big money marks. Thank you for the time. We appreciate it. So, here’s the deal, Tim. Do you like the idea of the Hawks pushing all the chips to the table? I like the idea of the Hawks pushing their chips in much more than I do either of the Texas teams, right? I don’t know that Trey Young is going to be part of the Hawks long-term future. That is murky at best right now. Uh but I can tell you this, Alpar Shenon will be part of Houston’s future. I checked with a high ranking Rocket source today and they said they would not make any move for a star in his 30s that would shorten their runway. Uh and by the way, they were able to acquire KD without shortening the runway. Jaylen Green, young player, but they ranked him sixth among their most valued young players on their roster. They see Shingon as part of that group for years to come. And you know, I would be shocked if San Antonio would include Castle or Dylan Harper in any deal for similar reasons. All right, fair enough. Any thoughts? I I thought the Golden State one is fascinating. Uh living in the Bay Area, there there’s Giannis buzz all the time, you know, seeing him there. But seeing Draymond Green on that list, yeah, I don’t know. Certainly quite interesting there. But I there’s definitely some love for Giannis. Giannis and Steph Curry have a relationship. Same agency. There is there’s always been something there. I I I just think there’s there’s there’s 29 other teams in this league that should make an off maybe I can say Oklahoma City doesn’t need to call. Okay. But everybody else in the league should be getting together their best offer. I still I’ll still go off the board. I still think Miami always finds a way to get involved in these conversations. I think the Lakers are finding a way to get involved these conversations. Just the timing of this during the season is very different than an offseason move. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]

On NBA Today, Tim MacMahon, Ramona Shelburne and Marc J. Spears react to the Dallas Mavericks’ 3-game win streak before Bobby Marks joins the conversation to discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks.

0:00 Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks recap
1:20 What’s been the key for the Mavericks during their 3-game win streak?
4:45 Potential trade deals for Giannis
9:47 Thoughts on potential Bucks trade sending Giannis to the Atlanta Hawks?

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42 comments
  1. January 15, 2026 manifesting haha
    GSW new lineup: Steph, Melton, Giannis, Butler, Horford
    Seth, Podz, Spencer, Post, Moody, Thanasis, Alex
    GSW send JK, BUDDY, DRAY, 7 FIRST RD PICKS/SWAPS
    GSW mild weather, big market

  2. I don't understand why would any team did those offers. It doesn't make Giannis have better team or team have better chance to win. If you trade Sengun and get Giannis, then what? They already have issues about playmaking which Sengun tooks the burden. You say trade away him and FVV to get Giannis, then they have to make another trade that could get them playmaking abilities. Also for Hawks, if they trade away Trae and Zach which is nonfactor here, then will Giannis be happy about playing at Hawks? I don't think so. Spurs offer makes sense because after that offer, Giannis will have better team and Bucks will have a future. Other than that, i think nobody wants to accept but OKC could give the best deal which proves how stupid most of the GM's are because they allow OKC to have both great picks in the future and great roster and all of them are young enough to build a dynasty. Put Chet plus couple picks and contracts to fill with, you got Giannis at OKC which is pretty much seals the deal. Meanwhile OKC would still have many picks they would still have young players that will create a dynasty also Bucks will have a future with Chet and those picks.

  3. Lol no he's not living up to the hype and has been a bust thus far. At best he's a good third or 4th option. They had him billed to be #1 option and franchise changer and none of those are true.

  4. Best 8-15 team in nba history lol.
    If they beat OKC on Friday and Houston on Saturday it’s a brand new ball game.
    When, rather if, they get healthy this team could do so damage in 2026.
    Not likely but becoming more likely every day.

  5. Surprised nobody is looking at the Blazers as a Giannis destination. It would be funniest end to the Portland/Bucks loop that started with the Dame trade, with the Bucks having to pay Dame salary for the next 4.5 years. Scoot/Grant/Thybulle for the money, and the Bucks get back the 28/30 swaps and Bucks 2029 (best of POR/MIL/BOS), least in 2029 (worst of POR/MIL/BOS), Portland's 2031, and swaps with Portland in 28/30/32. It would reunite Giannis with Dame/Jrue, and pair him with Deni Avdija who has been looking great this year.

  6. For the record, in Dallas no one likes or talks to Timmy Mac lol he wrote a book about luka and luka could not stand him 😂😂😂 never believe anything he says about the Mavericks he has no sources or else he would have broken the luka trade prior to it happening but he didn't.

  7. Why would the Rockets throw in a pick on top of Sengun? It should be the other way around. Imagine Giannis leaves in 2027. The Rockets would have given up Sengun and a 1st for a 16 month rental and the west is way too stacked that the Rockets could expect to win a title within that time period.

  8. The Dallas Mavericks franchise HATE point guards. They have traded away Jason Kidd, let Nash walked, let Brunson walked and of course traded Luka.

  9. So Bobby Marks thinks that it would be smart for an aging team (Warriors) to get rid of all their future draft picks when they'll likely be in a position to be in the high lottery. They would likely get at least one championship but how are they going to build around Giannis 2yrs from now? I am a lifetime Rockets fan and if they get rid of Sengun I'll kill em'! Also they'd never be able to pay everybody as soon as next yr. Not possible. Atlanta is definitely the most possible. If Miami could somehow pull this off that would be the most exciting place to land. Giannis in that system with Bam and Ginannis side by side with Hero raining threes and Jaquez setting screens and rolling. Sick!

  10. "Bucks receive Stephon Castle…"
    And that's already a no for me.
    FFS this isn't a 2K franchise that you'll play for one year and forget about. They have the future to think about too. I wouldn't trade Castle for Giannis straight up.

  11. It is funny to see how people think GA is just some regular AS level dude, he is ANBA first for like 7-8 years. You give me one name who has that resume.

  12. Giannis is loyal, if they try to trade him I hope he leaves and goes back home to finish his career.
    Its crazy to me how strangers can sit down and make plans for another person's life as if he is merchandise
    Very disrespectful

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