With the February 5th trade deadline looming, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it clear that he is open to being traded to another NBA team.
Several franchises have shown interest in pursuing the legendary forward, and the latest report on these sweepstakes has indicated the Bucks might have him sooner rather than later.
NBA Insider Revealed Why The Milwaukee Bucks May Need To Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo Very Soon
The Milwaukee Bucks’ 2025-26 season has been a massive disappointment. Even with one of the best players in the world, Doc Rivers’ team currently sits at 18-29 overall and four games out of a Play-In spot.
Antetokounmpo has missed 17 games this season, but it’s clear that this team is far from contention, which is why the two-time MVP is on the trading block. When the Bucks will deal Antetokounmpo, however, still hasn’t been decided, and there is a decent chance the front office doesn’t move him until the summer.
That said, ESPN Senior Writer Ramona Shelburne’s recent update suggests that there could be consequences if the 31-year-old is not traded before the deadline.
“If the Bucks don’t find a trade for Giannis before the deadline, league sources expect there to be tension around whether Milwaukee will bring him back from his latest calf injury this season. ‘Giannis doesn’t want to sit out,’ a source close to him said.”
The report shows how Antetokounmpo is balancing his loyalty to the Bucks with his desire to return to the floor, preferably with a contending franchise. On a segment of First Take, ESPN Analyst Monica McNutt gave further insight into the difficult predicament the ten-time All-Star faces over the next few days.
“Giannis wants to be the good guy even though he acknowledges that it’s probably time to move on. If that’s the case, then he would wait until the summer when it could probably be the best offer in terms of him getting probably where he wants to be and the Bucks can get the most… pic.twitter.com/fq2rC1s2pS
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 2, 2026
Antetokounmpo is expected to be sidelined until at least late February or early March 2026 as he recovers from a strained right calf that has kept him out since January 23. With the wave of Achilles injuries last year, it’s clear the Bucks want to be as careful as possible to avoid a nightmare scenario.
This franchise’s future revolves around its star’s trade value, and any further injury will continue to raise some red flags. However, even if he is not dealt before February 5, fans will likely see Antetokounmpo again this season.
