The Milwaukee Bucks continue to insist that Giannis Antetokounmpo will not be made available ahead of the trade deadline, team sources told ESPN, even as the club aggressively explores ways to upgrade the roster.
With Milwaukee sitting at 17–24 and 11th in the Eastern Conference, the front office is under pressure to find help that can prevent another lost season in Antetokounmpo’s prime.
“We always manage to pull something off,” a team source told ESPN.
The Bucks are positioned unusually well financially, operating outside the luxury tax and free of hard-cap restrictions, which allows them to absorb multi-year contracts.
League sources believe that flexibility could be key, especially if Milwaukee targets players other teams are motivated to move.
ESPN previously reported internal discussions involving names such as Zach LaVine, Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings, and Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Milwaukee’s urgency is driven by its struggles without Antetokounmpo on the floor.
The Bucks are just 3–11 in games he has missed, with their offense collapsing to a league-worst efficiency, underscoring the need to add reliable support before the deadline.
Bucks Declare Giannis Antetokounmpo Unavailable While Seeking Roster Upgrade https://t.co/OqroIbrUJp
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 16, 2026
