Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points and made two key defensive plays in the closing seconds as the visiting Milwaukee Bucks finished off a 105-101 victory Friday over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Bucks improved to 2-1 on their West Coast road trip, taking down the Lakers in LaLa Land 105-101. Kevin Porter Jr. had 22 points to lead the Bucks, while Giannis had 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.
The trade window is heating up with every passing day, as yet another All-Star guard has emerged as an option in the market after Trae Young’s move from Atlanta to Washington.
For most of this past offseason, the most talked-about NBA topic was whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo was going to ask for a trade away from the Bucks, the only NBA team he’s ever known.
Now that the holidays are behind us, we’re at my second-favorite time of year: NBA trade season! With that in mind, we’ve brought back our trade candidate series.
Part of what makes the NBA, or any pro sports league, so compelling to watch is the narratives, especially those centered on rivalries. Throughout the decades, the NBA has fostered a number of rivalries, some long-lasting and others short but sweet.
Often in the NBA’s picture, the East heats up faster than the West. And you can witness this phenomenon during the active mid-season trade window. In less than a month, the February deadline will be approaching.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently in the midst of a three-year, $175 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. The contract will keep him tied to the franchise through the end of the 2027–28 season.
The Milwaukee Bucks should trade their second-leading scorer, a 25-year-old point guard who is averaging 18.4 points, 7.8 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game while shooting 38% from three.
Game date, time and location: Friday, Jan. 9, 9:30 p.m. CST, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California TV: FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, Spectrum SportsNet
Throughout the past few months of having to stare down rumors that Giannis Antetokounmpo wants out, it’s been clear the Milwaukee Bucks will do anything to keep him until he demands a trade.
Despite the Milwaukee Bucks spiraling to a 16–21 record, Giannis Antetokounmpo has drawn a firm line amid growing trade speculation. With the February 5 deadline approaching, the two-time MVP has made it clear that an exit from Milwaukee is not on his mind.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ road loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night wasn’t just defined by hot shooting and momentum swings, it was also shaped by frustration over how the game was officiated, particularly surrounding a physical sequence involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Draymond Green.
The Bucks waived guard Mark Sears on Wednesday, according to NBA.com’s official transaction log. The move ensures that Milwaukee won’t be on the hook for Sears’ full salary, having cut him prior to the league-wide salary guarantee date.