The Milwaukee Bucks grudgingly realize that trading Giannis Antetokounmpo “might finally be best for both sides,” according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Antetokounmpo will miss the next four to six weeks with a right calf injury and the Bucks are having trouble acquiring more talent around the superstar forward.
“All of that feeds into what sources describe as Milwaukee’s grudging realization over the course of this season that pathways to providing Antetokounmpo with the championship contention he craves just aren’t there. And that Antetokounmpo’s exit, painful as it would be, might finally be best for both sides,” Fischer wrote.
Antetokounmpo recently stated that he will never request a trade from the Bucks, who won the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns but have since won just one playoff series.
Milwaukee has lost in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row, so many people around the NBA believe Antetokounmpo should ask for a trade.
Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The future Hall of Famer doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
A two-time MVP, Antetokounmpo has been linked to the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets in trade rumors.
Before the season, Antetokounmpo requested a trade and wanted to be traded to the Knicks, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. However, Milwaukee and New York didn’t agree to a deal.
The Bucks are 3-11 this season without Antetokounmpo. They will probably drop even further in the East standings moving forward without their best player.
Antetokounmpo has appeared in 30 games this season. He’s averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 64.5% from the field and 65.8% from the free-throw line.
The 2026 NBA trade deadline is February 5 at 3 p.m. ET. It will be fascinating to see if Antetokounmpo and the Bucks part ways.