Many rival executives around the league believe the Milwaukee Bucks are unlikely to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo until the final hours before Thursday’s deadline, and some teams are preparing for the possibility that a deal may not happen until the offseason, according to ESPN sources.
“I’m just not sure why it wouldn’t make sense to wait,” an East scout said. “They can see where the draft [lottery] is, and survey their options then.”
Milwaukee has openly begun listening to offers for Antetokounmpo, but general manager Jon Horst has also made it clear there is no urgency to complete a trade.
Early interest has reportedly come from the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks, while the Los Angeles Lakers are viewed as a team that could assemble a stronger package in the summer.
Several factors support the idea of waiting until the offseason.
Antetokounmpo is sidelined for multiple weeks with a calf injury, so any acquiring team would lose players immediately without gaining his production right away.
More draft picks become tradable in June, and the Bucks would also know the results of the 2026 draft lottery.
In addition, teams eliminated early from the playoffs may become more aggressive bidders, and blockbuster trades are generally easier to structure in the offseason when roster restrictions are looser.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Unlikely Until Thursday Deadline, Could Wait Summer https://t.co/kf2ijMaBmE
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 30, 2026
