RealGM Basketball Wiretap

26 January 2026

• Trade Discussions For Giannis Antetokounmpo Continue Despite Calf Injury

  Multiple teams continue to engage the Milwaukee Bucks in trade discussions for Giannis Antetokounmpo despite his calf injury, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  Antetokounmpo, who suffered the injury on Friday night, said that he would be out for the next 4-6 weeks with a calf strain.

  It was reported over the weekend that trade discussions were intensifying prior to Antetokounmpo's latest injury, with the Bucks realizing there is no clear pathway to championship contention.

  While there remains no clear-cut indication that the Bucks are willing to move Antetokounmpo, several teams believe a trade could still happen before the February 5 deadline.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Buzz Was Intensifying Around NBA Before Calf Injury

  Numerous NBA front offices began operating under the belief in recent days that a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade before the league's February 5 trade deadline at 3 PM ET had become somewhat more possible. The speculation intensified despite Antetokounmpo insisting on January 8 that he would never ask for a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks.

  But Antetokounmpo suddenly sustained another worrisome calf injury in Friday's loss by the Bucks against the Denver Nuggets. Antetokounmpo said he expects to be sidelined by this latest setback with his right calf for at least four to six weeks, well beyond the February 5 trade deadline.

  ESPN's Brian Windhorst went on Get Up on Friday morning and proclaimed that Antetokounmpo is the trade deadline. The Bucks' incessant losing is the foremost culprit for the rising trade speculation.

  Before Friday's injury, tensions in Milwaukee had spiked to a tone more concerning than any previous tipping point in Antetokounmpo's 13-season tenure with the Bucks. The Bucks had slumped to 18-25 even before Antetokounmpo's latest calf misfortune, sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference.

  Antetokounmpo had only sparked further doubt about his future with the franchise by repeatedly airing his increasing frustration during recent postgame media availabilities. Multiple officials from rival teams indicated that the league's top curiosity as the trade buzzer nears had most definitely become Antetokounmpo's status.

  The precise impact of a long-term Antetokounmpo absence was still being assessed leaguewide as of Saturday. Valid questions have emerged about whether a trade must wait until the offseason or if interest in Antetokounmpo remains strong enough that even a new injury won't dissuade potential suitors.

  "This is shaping up to be a draft-day kind of thing," said one league source particularly well-versed in Bucks matters.

  Another source stated simply: "It's happening."

  The most immediate impact of Antetokounmpo's injury absence is that continuing to pursue win-now moves over the next 12 days until the deadline would appear to be futile for the Bucks. Without Antetokounmpo in the lineup, the Bucks are 3-11 this season.

  League sources say that the Bucks were already struggling to generate difference-making trade discussions by making the likes of Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis Jr. available. Michael Porter Jr., Zach LaVine, De'Andre Hunter, Jerami Grant and Miles Bridges have all been mentioned as potential targets.

  The Bucks' lack of available draft capital to sweeten trade offers has clearly complicated their search to improve the roster around Antetokounmpo. Sources describe Milwaukee's grudging realization over the course of this season that pathways to providing Antetokounmpo with the championship contention he has cleared prioritized just aren't there.

  Waiting until after the NBA's lottery drawing in May to truly launch into the process of parting with their franchise player via trade would at least enable the Bucks to know exactly what potential trade partners can offer in terms of 2026 draft capital. If the Atlanta Hawks land a top pick in the June draft, its ability to make a compelling trade offer for Antetokounmpo rises exponentially.

  Teams such as the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers would have access to more tradeable future first-round picks in the offseason than those teams can put on the table between now and the February 5 trade deadline. After this season, Antetokounmpo has only one more guaranteed season on his contract in addition to a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.

  The Portland Trail Blazers are definitely a team to track here when it comes to eventual Antetokounmpo outcomes. Portland still controls Milwaukee's draft capital in 2028, 2029 and 2030 thanks to the teams' Jrue Holiday-for-Damian Lillard swap.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Says He Has Calf Strain, Expects To Miss 4-6 Weeks

  Giannis Antetokounmpo told the media following the Milwaukee Bucks' 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets that he has a right calf strain and expects to miss 4-6 weeks.

  Antetokounmpo will get an MRI on Saturday.

  "After the MRI, they'll probably tell me I popped something in my calf and probably give me a protocol of 4-6 weeks I'll be out. After that, I'm going to work my butt off to come back probably end of February, beginning of March. Hopefully, the team can at least make the Play-In (Tournament) or playoffs," said Antetokounmpo after the game.

  Antetokounmpo missed eight games earlier this season with a right calf strain.

  "I thought he was favoring it for most of the second half personally. I asked our team five different times. I didn't like what my eyes were seeing, personally. Giannis was defiant about staying in," said Bucks coach Doc Rivers after the game about the injury.

  The Bucks are currently 18-26 on the season.

  It was reported on Friday that discussions between Antetokounmpo and the organization about his future have recently intensified.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks Dialogue On Future Have 'Recently Intensified'

  Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have continued their dialogue on his future with the franchise ahead of his next extension decision in October 2026.

  "Giannis and the Bucks have been having ongoing conversations about his future," said Shams Charania on the Pat McAfee Show. "Even going back to May. Those conversations... every single passing week, every single passing month since May when I first reported he was exploring his best fits outside of Milwaukee, for really the first time. And really getting down to which team he would want to go to. Where he would want to be. Those conversations have only grown with every passing week and month since May. And recently, the Bucks and Giannis' conversations have intensified in nature."

  Antetokounmpo has voiced his frustration with the situation publicly in comments to the media as well as his reaction to being booed on

  "I've spoken to about a dozen sources on and off for weeks now," added Charania. "The tension that is in the air within that organization and within the front office and in that locker room is at an all-time high. There's a splintering environment going on there."

  Charania added that Jon Horst and Doc Rivers met with Antetokounmpo in the offseason with the Bucks telling him they believed they had a championship-caliber roster around him.

  "What I've been hearing for months and months now is that the writing is on the wall for Giannis and the Bucks," said Charania. "How do they get there? When do they get there? When is either side ready to step up to the plate and have that level of understanding or will it continue to live in this nebulous state?"

• Miles Bridges Drawing Trade Interest From Bucks, Warriors, Suns

  The Charlotte Hornets haven't indicated that they are looking to move Miles Bridges, but they are drawing interest in the veteran forward. The Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns have all shown interest in acquiring Bridges.

  Charlotte is reportedly looking for at least one first-round pick, and maybe two, for Bridges. The combo forward makes a very tradable $25 million this season, with a fully guaranteed $22.8 million owed to him in 2026-27.

  One challenge for the Bucks is that the Hornets have no interest in taking back Kyle Kuzma in a Bridges trade. Kuzma is owed $22.4 million this season, followed by $20.3 million next season.

  The Warriors could offer Jonathan Kuminga as the centerpiece of a deal for Bridges. The Suns could piece together a handful of contracts to match salary for Bridges, but don't have the draft capital to send to Charlotte.

• NBA Trade Season 'Hinging' On Whether Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Come To Market

  The future of Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the central question of the NBA's transactional landscape entering the trade deadline period as it did last offseason beginning at the lottery in May. Neither Antetokounmpo or the Milwaukee Bucks have signaled any interest in initiating either a trade request or trade conversations. The closest movement to date was when the Bucks and New York Knicks held brief trade conversations in August presumably at the request of Antetokounmpo.

  "The entire NBA trade season is hinging on what happens with Giannis," said Brian Windhorst on SportsCenter. "Because if Giannis comes onto the market, not only would be there immense interest in him, but because of the size of his contract and the potential of a multi-player trade, I think you could see this see generate two, three, four different teams involved in trades and many, many players.

  "The Bucks, to this point, have yet to cross the rubicon there. And Giannis has yet to cross the red line and ask for the trade. Everybody in the league believes this is eventually going to happen. Everybody in the league can see that the Bucks are not good enough to support Giannis going for title contention and knows this moment is going to happen and they are preparing for it. There doesn't seem to be a clarity on when it might happen. They will stay on the sidelines and they will wait. And if the bell goes off, you will see a hive of activity."

  Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are believed to be at this stalemate because he'd prefer not to have to request a trade and jeopardizing his fandom in Milwaukee, while the team has remained adamant they will not entertain trading him unless he explicitly asks for it.

  Antetokounmpo can become a free agent in 2027 and is eligible for an extension in October, leading to an obvious deadline for when a tangible decision on his future must be made despite the continued reluctance from the parties.

• Warriors Plan To Target LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo In Offseason

  The Golden State Warriors plan to feature prominently in trade discussions for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason if he comes to market with the Milwaukee Bucks, while exploring the prospect of teaming LeBron James with Stephen Curry once James becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30. Sources say the Warriors view both superstars as potential franchise-altering additions.

  The relationship between Curry and James has improved greatly over the years from where it stood when they met in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018. Their chemistry during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they won the gold medal for the United States, demonstrated the potential of a partnership that once seemed impossible.

  Curry is signed through the 2026-27 season and has showed few signs of slowing down. The Warriors believe pairing him with either Antetokounmpo or James could extend their contention timeline.

  Golden State remains unlikely to trade Jimmy Butler following his torn ACL, with sources indicating the franchise plans to back the veteran through his recovery. Butler's locker room presence and the enjoyment he has expressed since landing with the Warriors last February have been welcomed by the organization, particularly while navigating the ongoing Jonathan Kuminga drama.

  The Warriors would only consider moving Butler if a player on a very short list of superstars became available and specifically targeted Golden State as a preferred destination. Sources say the team has not shown interest in trading Butler for Dallas' Anthony Davis.

  Realistically, Golden State does not expect a shot at Antetokounmpo or James until the offseason at the earliest. The Warriors will not entertain any move involving Butler unless a truly top-tier trade target pushes their way toward teaming up with Curry.

  The Warriors were linked with a trade for James at the 2024 trade deadline. Draymond Green made the initial push to the team's ownership and management before also consulting Rich Paul, who represents both Green and James.

  Joe Lacob had a conversation with Jeanie Buss about the idea. Buss told Lacob that the Lakers had no desire to trade James but referred the Warriors to discuss it directly with James' representation.

  James and Paul said he preferred to remain with the Lakers. Rob Pelinka also confirmed that the team had no desire to trade their superstar. James signed a one-plus-one contract with the Lakers with a no-trade clause during the 2024 offseason. His future is uncertain as he is on an expiring contract after the Lakers declined to engage him on an extension last offseason.

  Steve Kerr is not yet signed on a contract beyond the current season, but he has remained open to staying with the Warriors as Curry plays out his final seasons.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Harsh Words About Bucks Not Playing To Win, Being Selfish, Not Together

  Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't mince words after the Milwaukee Bucks were blown out at home by the Oklahoma City Thunder. When asked if the recent string of blowout losses have anything in common, Antetokounmpo rattled off a list of issues the Bucks have.

  "We're not playing hard," Antetokounmpo said. "We aren't doing the right thing. We're not playing to win. We're not playing together. Our chemistry's not there. Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys trying to do it on their own.

  "At times, I feel like when we're down 10, down 15, down 20, we try to make it up in one play, and it's not going to work."

  Antetokounmpo said he doesn't know what's causing the Bucks issues, but that he doesn't want to have to demand the ball more.

  "I'm not the guy that will yell and cuss his teammate out and demand the ball," Antetokounmpo said. "I've never done that in my career. But I feel like I've played with teammates that kind of understand the gravity that I can cause for our team, in how I can create for teammates and for myself, and how I can help the team be more successful.

  "But maybe for some reason, I don't understand -- maybe because we're young, maybe because we're not playing well, maybe because guys think it's their turn, they want to carry the team on their back and try to turn this around -- but I really don't get it. I really don't."

• Kevin Porter Jr. 'Won't Be Able To Play Anytime Soon' Due To Strained Oblique

  Kevin Porter Jr. "won't be able to play anytime soon" due to a strained oblique, according to Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers.

  Porter, who has played several games with the injury, underwent an MRI on Tuesday.

  There is currently no timetable for Porter's return.

  Porter is averaging 16.8 points per game this season.

  Rivers also added that Myles Turner is day-to-day with a left ankle sprain.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Situation Ahead Of Trade Deadline Still Being Monitored By Teams

  As the NBA trade deadline approaches in two weeks, the league continues to closely monitor the situation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Reports dating back to the 2025 lottery have indicated that Antetokounmpo is strongly considering whether his future will be with the Bucks.

  "Milwaukee," said Windhorst when asked on ESPN Radio Los Angeles what he's keeping his eye on. "Because I know what Doc has said on the record. I know what Giannis has said on the record. I'm just telling you other teams in the league are not convinced that Giannis is not going to get traded. That doesn't mean he will get traded. I'm just telling you that they're not convinced.

  "If you take that out in aggregation, you can use it against me. But the nuance is it's not like there's 11 other guys to trade for. That's the key. But there's a number of team that are like 'Boy, if. If B, then A.' Giannis is the big 'if' right now."

  Rumors surrounding Antetokounmpo's future date back to 2020 before he signed his supermax extension with the Bucks following their trade for Jrue Holiday.

  "My job every day is to talk to people all throughout the league about what's going on... Teams are not yet convinced Giannis is not being traded. I'm just telling you teams are not convinced."

  Windhorst added that there are no conversations surrounding a trade of Antetokounmpo at this point.