Bucks Tell Teams They’re Keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo

The decision removes the top attraction from this year’s pre-deadline trade market and sets up an eventful offseason when rival teams will be able to make more tempting offers.

The Warriors, Timberwolves, Heat and Knicks were believed to be the most active suitors for Antetokounmpo, but the Bucks have been signaling to teams over the past few days that they’re not ready to part with their franchise player, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (Twitter link). As a result, those teams began focusing on other moves, with Golden State acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Minnesota dealing for Ayo Dosunmu and New York swapping Guerschon Yabusele for Dalen Terry.

ESPN’s Jason Collier reported earlier today that Milwaukee wasn’t feeling pressure to find a deal before the deadline, and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line gets the same impression, with one rival executive telling him the Bucks “were never serious” about moving Antetokounmpo prior to this summer (Twitter link).

While holding onto Antetokounmpo could increase his eventual trade value, it also gives him more control over the process. He’s only under contract for one more season at $58.5MM and holds a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28. Being able to opt out next summer means he’ll have the power to quash a potential deal if he’s not being sent to a place that he wants to go.

Antetokounmpo will become eligible for a four-year, $275MM extension on October 1 if he remains in Milwaukee, notes Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link). If he’s traded before then, he’ll have to wait six months from the day the deal is finalized until he can sign an extension.

Antetokounmpo has been sending out mixed signals about his desire to stay in Milwaukee since trade rumors began to heat up. He said Tuesday that he loves the city and would prefer to retire as a Buck, but he indicated that he’s not fully convinced that the team can quickly be rebuilt into a title contender, adding that he has to look at his options.

Multiple reports have stated that the Bucks are seeking young talent and draft assets in an Antetokounmpo deal. Teams that currently have limited draft picks available will be able to increase their offers when the new league year starts in July.