Per a clip posted on X by SportsCenter, Giannis walked through the crowd to his seat alongside his sons, six-year-old Liam and four-year-old Maverick. Antetokounmpo, alongside his brothers and rapper Lil Yachty, was also seen vibing to CM Punk’s iconic Cult of Personality entrance theme with a grin on his face.

The Antetokounmpo brothers and Lil Yachty vibing along to "Cult of Personality" #WWEChamber LIVE on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan https://t.co/c7avSEMsP2 pic.twitter.com/fgrfvctdKZ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 1, 2026

Known to be a fan of the WWE, Giannis attended an AEW taping in August 2021, where he received a replica championship belt. However, the current event is even more important in the WWE universe as it will decide who features in WrestleMania 42.

.@Giannis_An34 is in the house at #WWEChamber! pic.twitter.com/963UT1IRI7

— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2026

The chamber features two starting competitors and four others locked in glass pods to be released at timed intervals. The men’s match pits Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans, Logan Paul, LA Knight, and Trick Williams against one another, with the victor earning a shot at Drew McIntyre’s Undisputed WWE Championship.

Paul notably secured his spot after Jey Uso was removed due to a backstage attack. On the women’s side, Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Raquel Rodriguez, andKiana James will battle to secure a title match against WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill.

The Chicago card also features a World Heavyweight Championship rematch between hometown hero CM Punk and Finn Bálor, as well as a Women’s Intercontinental Championship bout featuring Becky Lynch defending against AJ Lee. And while Giannis is among thousands of spectators watching at the United Center, fans will be hoping he makes a return to the court in the near future as well.

The 31-year-old forward has been sidelined for 13 consecutive games since suffering a right calf strain on January 23 against the Denver Nuggets.

The post Bucks’ Giannis pulls up at WWE for Elimination Chamber appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Fortunately, the Bucks did not leave without Portis amid his seemingly endless one-on-one showdown in Fiserv Forum. He gave a young girl one heck of a story to share with all her friends and classmates, and he also pulled out the W. Additionally, the 2021 NBA champion helped his team grab a 118-116 victory versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, thereby continuing Milwaukee’s impressive February (8-3 this month). All in all, Portis had himself an incredible night.

Bobby Portis plays a young fan in the longest game of Rock Paper Scissors you will ever see

Video via: https://t.co/g2brwaAZmL pic.twitter.com/srXzVwOGZr

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 26, 2026

When the 31-year-old breaks out the “crazy eyes” and gets amped up on the court, some people might label him unhinged. Punching then-Chicago Bulls teammate Nikola Mirotic in the face back in 2017 probably does not help matters. However, the man clearly has a soft side. He was already a fan favorite, but following this hard-earned Rock, Paper, Scissors triumph, Portis may have just attained legendary status in Cream City.

He aims to bring that same tenacity to Friday night’s matchup versus the inconsistent New York Knicks (37-22). Bobby Portis Jr. has been a vital offensive spark plug for the squad this season, averaging 13.2 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting a scorching 45.1 percent from 3-point range. He will try to keep his hot streak going in Milwaukee. Perhaps another fan will issue him a challenge before the game.

The post Bucks’ Bobby Portis may have played longest game of rock, paper, scissors with fan appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

First signing with Nike in 2017, two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has had a widely successful signature sneaker run. He’s already seven sneakers into his Nike Freak line, along with the subset Nike Giannis Immortality sneakers. Usually waiting until the offseason to debut his latest creation, fans have gotten a sneak peek of the silhouette before their retail reveal.

Nike Giannis Freak 8

Giannis Antetokoumpo debuts the upcoming Nike Freak 8 pic.twitter.com/f6AnsiKMWe

— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) February 21, 2026

Did Giannis Antetokounmpo just debut the Nike Giannis Freak 8s? @Giannis_An34 pic.twitter.com/izV1m35KkP

— Sole Retriever (@SoleRetriever) February 21, 2026

Per photos shared by Antetokounmpo on social media, the sneaker appears to be his newest signature Freak 8. Appearing in a hyper pink and metallic gold colorway, we see a completed updated silhouette from the previous Freak 7. While similarities may be seen in the undulating midsoles and chunky support systems, all Nike Giannis sneakers have had their own unique aspects and design.

Previously, the backwards Nike Swoosh served as a hallmark for Nike Giannis sneakers, so it’s interesting to see minimal branding and a clean, metallic gold Nike Swoosh along the center. The shoes feature a contrasted tongue as we’ll await further looks to see what the tongue and back heel designs consist of.

For now, we’ll patiently await for official retailer images, but fans can rest easy knowing the Nike Giannis Freak 8 is looking like an early hit. What are your thoughts on this new silhouette?

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo has revealed his newest Nike Giannis Freak 8 sneakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Cormac Ryan is no stranger to the Bucks; he was invited to training camp this season and was one of the team’s final roster cuts. He stayed within the Bucks’ system, joining the Wisconsin Herd in the G League following his release.

Ryan had appeared in 29 games with the Herd this year, at a little over 31 minutes per game. He was averaging 20.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals with splits of 48.9 percent shooting from the field, 42.3 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 88.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Prior to the NBA, Ryan spent his final season of college basketball at North Carolina, playing well after he made the decision to transfer from Notre Dame.

He went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, and latched on with the Oklahoma City Thunder for summer league. He impressed them enough that they brought him to training camp ahead of the 2024-25 season. He did not make the final roster and he subsequently joined the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League.

Ryan joins Alex Antetokounmpo and Pete Nance as the Bucks’ three two-way contract players. He will likely continue to see playing time with the Herd as the final couple of months of the regular season wind down.

The Bucks are currently 26-31 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings. They have won two consecutive games and are one game back of the Charlotte Hornets for the 10th seed and the final play-in spot.

The post Meet Giannis’ new teammate following Bucks’ roster move appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Rivers was recently asked about Antetokounmpo’s return, as there needed to be some clarification on whether he could return, even though he didn’t have to particularly have to play 5-on-5 to be cleared.

“Guys, this is not rocket science stuff. Like, we do 3-on-3, 4- on-4, sometimes we do 5-on-5, sometimes we don’t. And it doesn’t really matter,” Rivers said via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

Rivers was then asked what Antetokounmpo needed to do to get cleared, and gave a very bizarre answer.

“I have no idea, honestly. Maybe I should ask and I can get you the information, but I know he’s close. I don’t think he’s close like tomorrow, but he’s getting closer and he looked great. And that’s all I know. I can tell you what my eyes see and he looks good,” Rivers said.

It almost feels as if Rivers may be keeping a secret on how close Antetokounmpo could be to returning, but he also may genuinely not know and is leaving it up to the training staff.

The good news is that Antetokounmpo is making progress, and they’ve been able to win games without him. The goal is for the Bucks to try and climb the standings so they can possibly sneak into the Play-In, but they’re either going to have to play an almost perfect two months, or the teams above them are going to have to take a fall.

In the end, all they can do is focus on what they do, while also hoping they get their star player back sooner rather than later.

The post Bucks’ Doc Rivers teases Giannis’ imminent injury return in most bizarre way possible – ‘Maybe I should ask’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Wednesday night, the Bucks had a golden opportunity to extend their solid run as of late, as they faced a Cleveland Cavaliers team that rested Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and James Harden on the first night of a back-to-back set. And while the Cavs still remain a dangerous team even without those three, the Bucks are putting up one heck of a fight, with Kevin Porter Jr. doing everything he could to jolt his team awake.

With the Bucks still leading in the third quarter, Porter got the step on a man sharing the same surname in Craig Porter Jr., causing the Cavs defense to go into scramble mode. With Porter having built a head of steam, Jarrett Allen was too late in trying to contest a ferocious dunk from the Bucks guard, who caused the crowd at Fiserv Forum to erupt.

KEVIN PORTER JR. POSTER OVER MR THE LIGHTS TO BRIGHT pic.twitter.com/SVoVEhG7kw

— Wondering Basketball (@WonderingBBall) February 26, 2026

KEVIN PORTER JR.

CLIMBED THE LADDER
OVER JARRETT ALLEN

NO FEAR. pic.twitter.com/cXAt52Wuhv

— FOCUS ON THE PROP (@Dfs4Everyone) February 26, 2026

Bucks continue to punch above weight class amid Giannis injury

These Bucks are on the second night of a back-to-back, which wasn’t very obvious considering how high Porter skied for that poster over Allen. Last night, Milwaukee outlasted the Miami Heat, using an 11-0 run towards the end of the game to run away from an Eastern Conference squad that’s currently in eighth place in the standings.

Now, the Bucks are currently neck and neck with the Cavs, which is a testament to their resiliency and excellent conditioning levels. At the time of writing, the game is tied, and anything can still happen within the final few minutes.

The post Bucks’ Kevin Porter Jr. climbs ladder on Cavs’ Jarrett Allen appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Both players are dominant, but in very different ways.

Sandro Mamukelashvili, a current member of the Toronto Raptors, is the lone NBA player to have played with both players in the league.

Ahead of Wednesday’s game with the San Antonio Spurs, Mamu, as he’s known, detailed the difference between the two players. Raptors reporter Josh Lewenberg captured his response.

“I would say Giannis is more physical. That’s how he gets his buckets – in the paint, bully ball. Wemby is more versatile. He can shoot the hell out of the ball, use both hands, mid-range,” Mamukelashvili said pregame.

When asked if he ever got used to watching Wemby defy logic, he was very curt.

“Hell no!”

The Bucks superstar is an imposing physical presence. He is nearly unguardable if he gets the ball in the paint. This is because of his combination of size, strength, and athleticism. But he is such a freak athlete that there are holes in his game. Shooting never came naturally and is something he still struggles with, both from the field and at the free throw line.

Those holes do not exist with Wembanyama.

Wemby has an extremely wide array of offensive skills that have never been seen before from someone his size.

“I don’t think you can set a bar at how good he can be,” said Mamukelashvili.

“You really can’t predict what he’s going to do. He might pull up from half court or if you press up he might just go down & dunk it. I think the more experience he gets, the stronger he gets, sky’s the limit.”

Through his first 160 NBA games, Victor Wembanyama is averaging 23 points, 10.9 rebounds, and a ridiculous 3.4 blocks per game. He’s shooting 47 percent from the field, and better 34 percent from beyond the arc, which is unheard of at 7-foot-4. This season, that number has gone up to 36 percent, knocking down 1.8 triples per game.

He has the Spurs well ahead of its rebuild schedule. They entered Wednesday’s game against the Raptors 41-16, second in the Western Conference.

The post Spurs’ Victor Wembenyama given ‘limitless’ comp over Giannis Antetokounmpo from NBA vet appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Head coach Doc Rivers recently gave an update on Antetokounmpo, and it sounds like he could be getting close.

“No. He’s done some 3-on-3, 4-on-4. We don’t really need to go to 5-on-5. It doesn’t go from 3 to 4 to 5. It’s usually 4-on-4 is pretty good…No setbacks,” Rivers said via Eri Nehm of The Athletic.

Doc Rivers, on what Giannis Antetokounmpo was able to do on the floor yesterday in Milwaukee: "We were in the gym and did some 3-on-3 stuff. 4-on-4 and 3-on-3, I think, live. That was good."

Next box to check for Antetokounmpo will be live 5-on-5. https://t.co/vDps1y5PyX

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 22, 2026

Antetokounmpo has been dealing with calf strains throughout the past few seasons, so he probably knows the process of what needs to happen for him to return. There’s also no doubt that he’s itching to get back so he can help his teammates, as he wants a chance to make a playoff push in the second half of the season.

Without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have won a few games, and they’re getting contributions from several players. One of them is Cam Thomas, whom they signed before the All-Star break.

They were recently able to beat the Miami Heat, and it was Kevin Porter Jr. who led the way, finishing with 32 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

It’s going to take a lot of winning for the Bucks to climb up in the standings for a possible Play-In spot, but with Antetokounmpo, they could have a good chance of doing so. The only thing is that they have to hope the teams above them start losing, which may be a tall task.

As of now, they can only focus on what they can control and hope they get their star player back sooner rather than later.

The post Doc Rivers’ Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update tantalizes fans for return appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The game was close nearly all the way, with the Bucks doing just enough to keep in step with the Heat. But towards the end of the game, Milwaukee buckled down on the defensive end of the floor and put a lid on the basket — going on an 11-0 run to punctuate proceedings and to move to 25-31 on the season.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is seeing a marked change in the way his players carry themselves, and he’s proud of the shift in mentality his team has undergone.

“This was a big response for us. This is what we haven’t done this year. We’ll get a nice stretch of games going, then we’ll lose and then the next game, we kind of give in again. And tonight, there were stretches where we could have gave in and we didn’t,” Rivers said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

Doc Rivers is in his comfort zone as a coach with this Bucks roster

Rivers appears to be at his most comfortable when he’s coaching an undermanned/undertalented team, helping them punch above their weight class. What else would explain their recent uptick in form?

Rivers helmed an impressive 2019 Los Angeles Clippers squad that didn’t have a true star and yet gave the Golden State Warriors a scare in the first round of the playoffs. And now, Rivers is putting the shorthanded Bucks in positions to succeed. He may transmit nervous energy at the helm especially when a team is facing pressure to win

The post Bucks’ Doc Rivers credits ‘big response’ for bounce-back win over Heat appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Despite this, rival teams continue to point to Brooklyn as a potential trade suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

“I also continue to hear rival teams musing aloud about Brooklyn’s potential emergence as a credible destination given the Nets’ considerable cache of draft capital to package with, say, Michael Porter Jr. … or with a trade construction that keeps MPJ in place to play alongside Antetokounmpo,” Fischer wrote.

While the Nets are in the early stages of a rebuild, Antetokounmpo has long been viewed as their top trade target.

Rival teams think Nets could enter Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes

Brooklyn has positioned itself as one of the NBA’s worst teams in pursuit of a top pick in a loaded 2026 draft. However, the team won’t be tanking next season, as it owes a 2027 first-round pick swap to the Houston Rockets. The Nets have the ammo to put together one of the most competitive packages for Antetokounmpo.

They own an NBA-best 13 first-round picks over the next seven years. Michael Porter Jr. or Nic Claxton could serve as a main salary filler in an Antetokounmpo deal. Brooklyn could also include young prospects such as Nolan Traore, Day’Ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney, Drake Powell and Danny Wolf.

The main question surrounding the Nets’ potential pursuit of Antetokounmpo is whether they could swing a deal with enough assets leftover to build a team around the two-time MVP. With numerous teams pursuing the Bucks superstar at the deadline and several more likely to enter the equation in the offseason, the price won’t be low.

The post NBA rumors: Rival teams still viewing Nets as Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitor appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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But it appears that Antetokounmpo is taking matters into his own hands, as a video from NBA All-Star weekend of him “recruiting” Suns star Devin Booker has surfaced. In the video, Giannis evoked Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons’ big man who is known for his aggressive style of play and old-school enforcer attitude.

“You make everything look cool, man, but you wear a different jersey than me. You could wear the same jersey as me. I’m like Isaiah Stewart: I’ll fight for you,” Antetokounmpo said in the video.

The reference was fitting as Stewart had just been suspended seven games for running off the bench to fight Hornets forward Miles Bridges after a dust-up involving the Pistons’ Jalen Duren and the Hornets’ Moussa Diabaté. But buried in the joke is the truth that Antetokounmpo wants help to achieve his championship pursuits.

Booker and Antetokounmpo share an interesting history, having faced off in the 2021 NBA Finals that resulted in Giannis’ first and only NBA title. After going up 2-0 in the series, the Bucks reeled off four straight victories and their first NBA Championship since 1971.

While Booker will likely not be available for trade this offseason, perhaps securing a second star would be what Antetokounmpo needs to stay in Milwaukee.

The post Giannis recruits Devin Booker to Milwaukee with Isaiah Stewart fighting pitch appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In the video, Marques Johnson did state that it was going to be his last dunk, ending a tradition in which the former Bucks star has posted on each of his previous birthdays as he’s gotten older. Johnson performed this particular dunk while wearing a baseball jersey from his alma mater of Crenshaw High School. He also performed a school cheer.

One of the best players to ever play in the NBA, Johnson was the No. 3 overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft by the Bucks. He would play seven seasons with the Bucks before the team traded him to the LA Clippers ahead of the 1984-85 season. During his tenure with the Bucks, he was selected to four All-Star appearances and made three All-NBA Teams.

Johnson three seasons with the Clippers, and made one All-Star appearance, before an injury kept him out the entirety of the 1987-88 and 1988-89 seasons. His final year in the NBA was in 1989-90 when he played 10 games for the Golden State Warriors.

Before he even reached the NBA, Johnson was a star in college. He helped lead the UCLA Bruins to the 1975 NCAA title, the last championship in the John Wooden era. During his time at UCLA, he won the first ever John R. Wooden Award as well as the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award.

Johnson holds NBA career averages of 20.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals with splits of 51.8 percent shooting from the field, 15.2 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 73.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The post Marques Johnson proves he’s still got it with dunk on 70th birthday appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Despite staying stagnant at the deadline, not everyone is convinced that Milwaukee will be Antetokunmpo’s home over the long haul.

Recently, NBA insider Jake Fischer detailed his belief that the Bucks will end up trading the Greek Freak over the summer, noting that it “remains undeniably true that the Bucks are going to get more attractive offers in the offseason than they could have gotten this month,” per Marc Stein’s Substack.

Fischer also pointed out that he continues “to hear rival teams musing aloud about Brooklyn’s potential emergence as a credible destination given the Nets’ considerable cache of draft capital to package with, say, Michael Porter Jr.” and that one of the Western Conference teams that inevitably disappoints in this year’s playoffs could become interested in Antetokounmpo after the fact.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have won precisely one playoff series since their NBA championship in 2021, and injury concerns have become an increasingly large issue for the star over the last couple of seasons, particularly regarding his calf, which is often viewed as a precursor to a potentially much more devastating Achilles injury.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether the Bucks will bring Antetokounmpo back at all this year, as keeping him out would increase their chances of securing a good pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, although they will have to settle for the lesser of their own selection and that of the New Orleans Pelicans.

In any case, it seems that NBA fans can expect the exhausting Antetokounmpo trade saga to once again heat up over the summer.

The post NBA rumors: Why Jake Fischer still thinks Bucks will trade Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A Clippers offseason trade for Leonard could still be on the horizon, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

“There were two teams in particular that were pursuing Giannis that had made calls to the Clippers about Kawhi Leonard, checking in on his availability,” Siegel said. “If he’s still on the Clippers roster heading into the summer and his contract is not voided, he’s going to be entering the final year of his deal I believe it’s like $50.3 million.

“Regardless of how old he is, as long as he’s healthy, it’s going to be viewed like another scenario of when the Spurs traded him to the Toronto Raptors. It’s the final year of his contract. He can still be a big piece on a championship team even though that’s years later. We saw what Kawhi Leonard can do.”

No one anticipated James Harden’s trade request amidst the team’s most successful stretch of the regular season. Then, the Clippers’ trade with the Indiana Pacers for Ivica Zubac sparked other teams to call about Leonard.

Could Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard head back to Raptors?

Clippers veteran Kawhi Leonard was the subject of trade rumors ahead of the deadline, and is expected to be, once again, during the offseason, as ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel noted.

“It was then that the Toronto Raptors traded for Leonard without knowing what the future held for him in free agency. That move led Toronto to their first NBA championship,” Siegel said.

“Something similar could happen with Leonard this upcoming offseason. Maybe, just maybe, a return to the Raptors to compete for another championship is a scenario we could see play out.”

Perhaps the offseason will reignite trade talks between the Raptors, who were reportedly interested in Ivica Zubac, over the summer, or perhaps a call from the Bucks.

The post NBA rumors: 2 Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitors called Clippers about Kawhi Leonard appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In the days leading into the trade deadline, one team picked up steam as a major destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s services: the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves, led by charismatic star Anthony Edwards, have made runs for the Western Conference Finals the past two seasons, but it appears that they haven’t had enough to get over the hump. So, the Timberwolves made an aggressive pursuit of Antetokounmpo, and it appeared that playing with Edwards was at the top of mind for the Bucks star.

This interaction between the Greek Freak and Ant-Man at All-Star Weekend:

Giannis Antetokounmpo: “We about to go viral again, man.”

Anthony Edwards: “We always gonna go viral you get me and you together. We going viral.”

(via @Timberwolves)pic.twitter.com/DFnmFXHKc1

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 19, 2026

Ultimately, talks fell apart as Milwaukee elected to keep Antetokounmpo through the rest of the season and explore his future in the off-season. At the All-Star break, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Edwards added fuel to the trade rumors.

In a video posted by the Timberwolves, the two All-Stars were seen interacting in the tunnel in the Intuit Dome and made a mention of how they knew that the video of them together would go viral.

“We about to go viral again, man,” Antetokounmpo said.

Edwards replied, “We always gonna go viral you get me and you together. We going viral.”

These interactions between players at the All-Star Game are always seen as a possible precursor for a team-up in the future. During the 2019 All-Star Game, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were caught on video speaking with each other privately, which many at the time speculated was about possibly teaming up to play with each other. And the speculation appeared to be true.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving last night

(@jpizzy15 sent me the video) pic.twitter.com/xKXT8MPnwm

— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) February 18, 2019

On Kevin Durant’s podcast The ETCs with Kevin Durant in September 2020, Durant indicated that the interaction solidified their intention to play with each other, although they did not know which team they would be joining.

“The All-Star game video where they caught us in the hallway. That’s when it was solidified that we were going somewhere. They didn’t know for a fact where it was, but it was somewhere.”

Durant added that the conversation at All-Star Weekend wasn’t the first time they discussed their futures.

“Like we would have these types of [basketball related] conversations all day, every day. And it grew from there. It just grew from there, it was organic, you know what I’m saying? And it wasn’t something that you can kind of pinpoint and say like, this was the moment. It just, it just happened.”

It’s unknown if Edwards and Antetokounmpo were having similar conversations, and they certainly weren’t having it in that video. But, there is a possibility that we could see the two All-Stars team up in the future.

The Bucks and the Timberwolves are both back in action on Friday night. Minnesota hosts Dallas at 7:30 PM, with the game being broadcast on ESPN. Meanwhile, the Bucks will travel to New Orleans for an 8 PM tip-off.

The post Giannis, Anthony Edwards know exactly what they’re doing with viral moment after trade rumors appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Antetokounmpo has been with the Bucks since the franchise drafted him in 2013. Over time, he transformed into one of the best players in the entire league, leading the squad to the 2021 championship.

However, three consecutive first-round playoff exits have placed the superstar forward’s future with the organization into question. He took part in an exclusive interview with COSMOTE TV about his commitment to the franchise in present day and the long term.

“As Americans say, opinions are cheap — that’s why everyone has one. Right now, at this moment, I’m in Milwaukee… I don’t know if I’ll leave — it’s not up to me. If it was up to me, maybe I already would have left. In a year and a half, when I become a free agent at 32, it will be up to me,” Antetokounmpo said.

“No one can dare come and tell me not to play. I never gave anyone that right — as long as my legs allow me, I’ll be out there.”

What lies ahead for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

It’s undeniable that Giannis Antetokounmpo has accomplished a lot with the Bucks. Giving them the 2021 title as well as winning two MVP Awards have placed him near the mountaintop as one of the greatest players in franchise history.

Antetokounmpo continues to be incredible throughout his 13th season, despite missing some time due to injuries. He has been averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game throughout 30 appearances. He is shooting 64.5% from the field, including 39.5% from beyond the arc, and 65.8% from the free-throw line.

Milwaukee has a 23-30 record on the season, sitting at 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are eight games above the Brooklyn Nets and nine games above the Indiana Pacers. However, they trail the Chicago Bulls by a tiebreaker and the Atlanta Hawks by 1.5 games.

With the All-Star break over, the Bucks will resume action with a road game before hosting four consecutive contests. They take on the New Orleans Pelicans as tip-off will take place on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET.

Use code CLUTCHPOINTS to get $5 of free coins when you sign up at Novig, America’s #1 Sports Prediction market.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo adds more mystery to possibly leaving Bucks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

At the same time, Antetokounmpo has made it look as if he doesn’t want to be traded and wants to be a Buck for the entirety of his career.

Shaq was recently on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike radio show and was asked what he would do in Antetokounmpo’s situation.

“Tell Milwaukee [Bucks] to pay me supermax and give me 10% of the team so I can stay; if not, I’m out. It’s not legal, but there are loopholes,” Shaq said.

"Tell Milwaukee [Bucks] to pay me supermax and give me 10% of the team so I can stay; if not, I'm out."

Shaq on if he were in Giannis' current situation

(via @UnSportsESPN)pic.twitter.com/h6bFR8eJYG

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 18, 2026

The Bucks definitely can’t give Antetokounmpo a percentage of the team, but they can probably offer him more money on his contract. Though that sounds nice, it still doesn’t meet the desires of Antetokounmpo, who wants to win while he’s in his prime. If anything, that money should be going to help improve the team, and possibly land another star to play alongside him.

In the event that the Bucks can’t get Antetokounmpo the help he needs, he knows that he may need to make a change.

“The most important thing I want to win a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and if that’s not on the table or in the plans, that’s when you’re kind of like, ‘Okay, maybe I got to pivot,’ because I really want to win,” Antetokounmpo said.

As for this season, Antetokounmpo is sidelined with an injury, and it’s uncertain when he’ll return to the court. The Bucks were able to win their last two games before the All-Star break, and the hope is they can keep that going.

The post Shaq gives Giannis Antetokounmpo a list of demands for Bucks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In an interview with Malika Andrews of ESPN, Antetokounmpo would say he wouldn’t want to stay in Milwaukee and never have the feeling of winning a championship. While continuing to say he wants to win a title with the franchise, he would consider pivoting if “that’s not on the table or in the plans.”

“The most important thing I want to win a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and if that’s not on the table or in the plans, that’s when you’re kind of like, ‘Okay, maybe I got to pivot,’ because I really want to win,” Antetokounmpo said.

“The most important thing I want to win a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and if that's not on the table or in the plans, that's when you’re kind of like okay maybe I got pivot because I really want to win.”

– Giannis Antetokounmpo
pic.twitter.com/c6qcd5CNNc

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 17, 2026

In the same interview, Antetokounmpo would say how he is “committed” to the Bucks and how “extremely loyal” he is as a person.

“As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m committed to the people that I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, coach Doc [Rivers], and Jon [Horst] in the front office…you will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck. I am a winner, and I’m extremely loyal,” Antetokounmpo said.

Giannis:

"As of today I'm committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, I'm committed to the people that I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, coach Doc and Jon in the front office…you will never hear me say I don't want to be a Milwaukee Buck. I am a winner and I'm extremely… pic.twitter.com/ihRNC7zw3q

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 15, 2026

At any rate, it remains to be seen what happens with Antetokounmpo and his future with Milwaukee, as there will be a bevy of teams that will pursue the team in the offseason. In the meantime, Antetokounmpo looks to help the Bucks as the team is currently at 23-20, putting them 12th in the Eastern Conference, as they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.

The post Bucks’ Giannis reveals championship or bust mentality amid trade drama appeared first on ClutchPoints.

At one point, Antetokounmpo shared a hilarious moment with his four year-old son, making a joke at San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s expense in the process.

“So at 19, you’re gonna get drafted, and then you’re gonna be rookie of the year, and then you’re gonna be an All-Star, and then you’re gonna dunk on Wemby,” said Antetokounmpo, per the NBA’s account on X, formerly Twitter.

Giannis: "How old are you? 4?"

His son: "Four."

Giannis: "So at 19, you're gonna get drafted, and then you're gonna be rookie of the year, and then you're gonna be an All-Star, and then you're gonna dunk on Wemby."

Son:

Giannis: "Yes!"

(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/hQNtbWb2KD

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 17, 2026

For that to take place, Wembanyama would have to have at least an 18-year NBA career, which isn’t off the table considering the historic start that he’s gotten off to with the Spurs. However, dunks on Wembanyama have been few and far between thus far in his career, so it would certainly take a lot from the younger Antetokounmpo to get it done.

Meanwhile, as previously mentioned, Antetokounmpo stuck with the Bucks past the trade deadline despite rampant rumors, although it is unclear if that means he will be a member of the organization long term, or if it was simply a delay until the summer, when other teams will be able to make more lucrative offers for the star.

Some have floated the idea of the Bucks shutting down Antetokounmpo for the rest of the year in the hopes of securing a higher draft pick, which could help either entice him to stay or accelerate their rebuild if he were to leave. The Bucks will have the lesser of their own pick and that of the New Orleans Pelicans.

In any case, the Bucks’ 2025-26 season is slated to resume on Friday evening with a road game in New Orleans.

The post Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo tells 4-year-old son he’s going to dunk on Victor Wembanyama one day appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Bucks organization has been in decline over the past few years, and their big offseason move was one that reeked of desperation. Instead of taking 2026 as a gap year, they decided to waive and stretch Damian Lillard’s contract amid his recovery from a ruptured Achilles just so they could bring Myles Turner in. Suffice to say, bringing Turner in hasn’t nearly been enough to make Milwaukee a playoff team, let alone a contending one, even in the weaker Eastern Conference.

Now, the Bucks are in a tough position moving forward, although they can always revisit Antetokounmpo trade talks come offseason time. Their long-term outlook hasn’t changed, although it’s still up for debate if they did the right thing by taking these trade talks into the offseason instead of cashing in prior to the deadline.

Bucks did not get any sufficient Giannis Antetokounmpo trade offers

The Antetokounmpo trade saga became the most anticipated notification of the pre-deadline season. Every NBA fan was refreshing their feeds on social media, awaiting the next tweet from noted NBA insider Shams Charania and eagerly anticipating the next update regarding trade talks involving the Bucks.

In the end, all Charania did was continuously tease fans with breadcrumbs and non-updates until he reported that the Bucks were indeed going to hold on to Antetokounmpo instead, dragging trade talks all the way to the offseason.

It’s never going to be easy to part ways with a franchise cornerstone, especially one who’s done so much for the Bucks like Antetokounmpo has. The city of Milwaukee has also embraced Antetokounmpo as one of their own; he’s been there since 2013 and he’s progressed into one of the greatest superstars the league has ever seen under their watch.

So try as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, or Golden State Warriors might have done, it was always going to take a godfather offer for the Bucks to even consider trading the greatest player in franchise history. Antetokounmpo may have said that it’s hard for him not to take a look around considering how the team around him has fallen apart, but he hasn’t expressly given a mandate that he demands to be traded away.

With Antetokounmpo not exactly pressing the issue, it’s hard to criticize the Bucks for not trading Giannis away just yet. Giannis has long expressed a desire to be a one-team player for the rest of his career, but he also wants to compete for championships. Perhaps there is a chance, no matter how slim, that a contending team still blooms in Milwaukee while he’s still in his prime.

But in all likelihood, the Bucks are going to continue to struggle for the next few seasons, and if Antetokounmpo’s desire to win another championship takes precedent over his desire to stay in Milwaukee, then the team has no choice but to trade him on the final year of his contract.

One could argue that even if Antetokounmpo had pushed the issue regarding a potential trade, the Bucks would have been best served by doing what they did and wait until the offseason. The Warriors’ picks looked very enticing, but gambling on a pick-heavy return in exchange for the greatest player in franchise history is a risky game.

The Heat don’t have the blue-chip prospects to add to the future first-round picks they could trade away; conceivably, any and every realistic Heat trade offer for Giannis revolves around Bam Adebayo, and trading Adebayo away for Antetokounmpo instead of pairing them together seems counterintuitive for a team with championship aspirations.

As for the Timberwolves, try as they might, they simply could not muster enough draft capital to convince the Bucks to trade Antetokounmpo to the most northern part of the United States. Minnesota may have been willing to trade Jaden McDaniels away, but they were unable to acquire enough first-round picks for some of their key players, including Julius Randle, to get the deal over the line.

Limiting themselves to suitors prior to the deadline doesn’t serve the Bucks in any shape or form; they should just about get similar offers come offseason time, although being in the offseason opens up more opportunities for other bidders to join the Giannis sweepstakes, which should then benefit Milwaukee in the long run.

At the end of the day, the Bucks have to prioritize getting the best package available in any potential Giannis trade.

Perhaps the Houston Rockets become more open to trading someone like Alperen Sengun or Amen Thompson if they flame out early in the playoffs. Maybe the Oklahoma City Thunder put Jalen Williams on the table if they don’t repeat as champion. Or perhaps the Spurs revisit a potential Giannis pursuit to try and get over the hump if they fall short in the postseason.

The Bucks at least have the luxury of waiting, although they don’t have much time considering that Giannis will be hitting the open market in 2027 as thing stand.

Milwaukee pulls off a few buy-low moves

The Bucks settled for a few buy-low moves prior to the deadline, bringing in former Thunder prospect Ousmane Dieng and giving Cam Thomas a shot after he was let go by the Brooklyn Nets.

Thomas is still just 24 years of age and he’s a certified bucket, so there’s still some untapped potential there perhaps. Meanwhile, Dieng is showcasing immense two-way potential, as evidenced by his 19-point, 11-rebound, four-block night against the Thunder in their last game before the All-Star break.

For a team severely lacking assets like the Bucks are, this is the smart thing to do: take chances on players who’ve lost their luster but may have some untapped potential just yet.

Bucks’ trade deadline grade: B

The post Bucks 2026 NBA trade deadline grade after keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In the annals of basketball history, “The Greak Freak” will undoubtedly go down as one of the best to ever do it, but he’s grown increasingly dissatisfied with the team built around him, to the point where many feel a trade is inevitable this summer after staying put at the trade deadline.

And yet, in the opinion of Danny Green on ESPN’s NBA Today, the Bucks might just be able to keep their former MVP happily employed for years to come if they are willing to add premier talent around him, with the situation in Los Angeles presenting a golden opportunity to add another future Hall of Famer to the Eastern Conference.

“It’s very calculated what he’s saying. He knows what he’s saying, but it’s like Bobby said, Mr. Marks, it’s day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month with him in Milwaukee, and they don’t want to trade him,” Green explained. “I wouldn’t want to trade him either, so if you want to keep him, you’ve got to go out in the market and find somebody that can keep him there. If I’m the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m monitoring what the Clippers are doing with the Kawhi situation. If you can get a player like Kawhi or something similar to that, that can keep Giannis home, and then also build around that group to make it a contender in the East.”

After turning an early-season disaster into one of the better midseason comeback stories in recent memory, the Clippers abruptly turned course and sold at the trade deadline, moving on from players like Ivica Zubac and James Harden for young players with less certain futures. If Leonard becomes available this summer for one package or another, who knows? Maybe bringing him to Milwaukee could be enough to convince Antetokounmpo that he can still win with the team that drafted him, instead of looking for greener pastures elsewhere.

"[Giannis] is very calculated in what he's saying. … If you can get a player like Kawhi, or someone similar to that, that can keep Giannis home."

—@DGreen_14 on how the Bucks can keep Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/qTTMZkN66q

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 16, 2026

The post Danny Green lays out Kawhi Leonard-centric plan for Bucks to retain Giannis appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After an event on Sunday, Antetokounmpo would be asked by a fan if people would see him in Miami sometime this year, with the star player responding funnily.

“Giannis, will we see you in Miami this year?”

“For vacation,” Antetokounmpo responded.

“Giannis, will we see you in Miami this year?”

Giannis Antetokounmpo: “For vacation.”

(via courtsidemiami/ TikTok)pic.twitter.com/I9ZEe38ILV

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 16, 2026

Playing on the fact that the Heat have long been rumored to be linked to Antetokounmpo, and that it’s also a popular vacation spot for many people, it seemed like the 31-year-old couldn’t help himself.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is “committed” to the Bucks

While the Bucks kept Antetokounmpo past the trade deadline, there s that hindicateds ready for a new home either. 5 or in the upcoming offseason. However, his current focus right now for the rest of the season is being “committed” to Milwaukee, as he said to Malika Andrews in an interview this weekend.

“As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m committed to the people that I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, coach Doc [Rivers], and Jon [Horst] in the front office,” Antetokounmpo said. “You will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck. I am a winner, and I’m extremely loyal.”

“If there were ever be a scenario of me not being a Milwaukee Buck no more, I don’t want anybody to ever think like ‘Hey man, I quit on my team because this is my team and I love it.'”

Giannis:

"As of today I'm committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, I'm committed to the people that I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, coach Doc and Jon in the front office…you will never hear me say I don't want to be a Milwaukee Buck. I am a winner and I'm extremely… pic.twitter.com/ihRNC7zw3q

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 15, 2026

It remains to be seen what Antetokounmpo’s future looks like with the Bucks, but there’s much work to be done in the present time with the team at a 23-30 record, which puts them 12th in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee’s first game after the All-Star break is on Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The post Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo makes vacation joke when asked about Miami appeared first on ClutchPoints.

That led people to raise an eyebrow, especially since the NBA has cracked down on players placing bets.

During All-Star Weekend, NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke about Antetokounmpo’s involvement in Kalshi and basically said it wasn’t a big deal.

“From what I know, it’s a minuscule investment, much smaller than 1%,” Silver said. “That does not violate the rules that have collectively bargained with the players’ association. Obviously, it’s an issue I’m paying an enormous amount of attention to. It’s rapidly evolving. We are currently looking at prediction markets essentially in the same way we’re looking at sports betting.”

Adam Silver addresses Giannis's investment with Kalshi and the state of sports betting in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/chX3NPjsro

— Sportico (@Sportico) February 14, 2026

If Silver and the NBA are looking at prediction markets the same, then there should be a cause for concern that Antetokounmpo has invested in Kalshi, regardless of how much he put into the company.

Though Kalshi isn’t considered a betting site, the more people began to use, it can turn into something bigger than expected. With a name like Antetokounmpo co-signing it, there’s no question that sports fans will start to use the platform, and that’s all it takes for it to blow up.

This might be a good time for the NBA to step in, but as of now, it doesn’t look like they plan on doing anything. That could just lead to other players investing in the company as well, and then you’ll have a bigger problem on your hands.

The post Adam Silver breaks silence on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s controversial Kalshi investment appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While managing a diverse group that included MVP Rome Flynn and even ESPN’s Shams Charania, Giannis balanced the event’s fun with his trademark intensity. Currently sidelined with a calf strain, the two-time MVP used the weekend as a vital reprieve from the ongoing noise surrounding the Bucks’ recent struggles and trade deadline rumors.

His dedication to the city remains a focal point as he navigates these professional hurdles.

As shared by Oh No He Didn’t on X, Giannis remains steadfast in his current environment:

“As of today I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m committed to the people that I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, coach Doc and Jon in the front office…you will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck. I am a winner, and I’m extremely loyal. Growing up you dream oh what if I played for the Knicks Madison Square Garden? What if I get drafted by the Lakers and now I’m teammates with Kobe, what if I go play for the Cavs and Lebron pass me the ball? If there were ever be a scenario of me not being a Milwaukee Buck no more I don’t want anybody to ever think like hey man I quit on my team because this is my team and I love it.”

Giannis:

"As of today I'm committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, I'm committed to the people that I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, coach Doc and Jon in the front office…you will never hear me say I don't want to be a Milwaukee Buck. I am a winner and I'm extremely… pic.twitter.com/ihRNC7zw3q

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 15, 2026

This commitment was on full display even during the weekend’s moments, such as when he offered hilarious advice to former NBA center Tacko Fall.

Encouraging the 7-foot-6 giant to embrace his size rather than mimic modern perimeter-oriented bigs, Giannis told him to “quit trying to be like Wemby, be like Shaq!”

Despite the awkwardness of coaching media figures like Charania following recent front-office friction, Antetokounmpo’s focus stayed on the game and his deep-rooted connection to the Milwaukee franchise.

The post Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo committed to Milwaukee ‘as of today’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Antetokounmpo coached Team Giannis to victory in the All-Star Celebrity Game, 65-58, against Team Anthony. It was a competitive contest, with the result not being decided until the final stretch.

While Antetokounmpo definitely had fun on the sideline, including subtly roasting San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, he also turned on his competitive button, as Team Giannis had to rally in the fourth quarter.

The two-time MVP was not kidding around with his desire to win.

“I just enjoy winning,” said Antetokounmpo.

“But it was hard, making the substitutions, not everybody’s gonna play, but I think everybody did a good job, just playing hard, and playing to win.”

"I just enjoy winning."

Giannis was proud of his celeb team after getting the dub pic.twitter.com/SLuCMVTSnF

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 14, 2026

It was a family affair for the former Finals MVP, as he coached alongside his brothers, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo, who are both with the Bucks as well.

MLB star Mookie Betts was also part of the coaching staff.

Actor Rome Flynn was named Celebrity All-Star Game MVP for the second straight year, scoring 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including three three-pointers.

Coaching in the annual affair was a much-needed break for the 31-year-old from all the noise and hullabaloo surrounding him during the trade deadline. For now, Antetokounmpo will remain in Milwaukee, which he has often touted as his home.

His message about winning should give fans a sense of relief despite the Bucks’ woeful season.

Antetokounmpo is sidelined indefinitely due to a calf strain.

The post Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo drops ‘winning’ message after Celebrity All-Star Game win appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Antetokounmpo and his brothers, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo, and MLB star Mookie Betts, were tapped to coach Team Giannis against Team Anthony at Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

Team Anthony is coached by comedian Anthony Anderson, content creator Lethal Shooter, and popular trainer Chris Brickley.

In the second quarter, Antetokounmpo subbed in former NBA center Tacko Fall, who is easily the tallest among everyone in the venue. The two-time MVP then uttered a hilarious quip to the 7-foot-6 Fall.

“Quit trying to be like Wemby, be like Shaq!” said Antetokounmpo, eliciting a smile from Fall.

“Quit trying to be like Wemby, be like Shaq!”

Giannis coaching up Tacko Fall as he subs him back in the game

pic.twitter.com/paMPPxeZEx

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

Somewhere out there, Victor Wembanyama is shaking his head in disagreement. How do you say “SMH” in French?

Fall, who played two seasons for the Boston Celtics and one season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, was one of the three ex-NBA players in the All-Star Celebrity Game, along with Jason Williams and Jeremy Lin.

The 30-year-old Fall has spent the last few years playing professionally in China and New Zealand. He led the Chinese Basketball Association in blocks in 2023.

Other members of Team Antetokounmpo include NFL star Amon-Ra St. Brown, comedian Keegan-Michael Key, rapper GloRilla, and ESPN insider Shams Charania, among others.

The All-Star Celebrity Game gained buzz when the Milwaukee Bucks shaded Charania after the trade deadline, appearing to mock his reports about Antetokounmpo’s situation. Many felt it was awkward that Antetokounmpo would be coaching Charania.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo gives Tacko Fall hilarious advice during NBA Celebrity All-Star Game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The 31-year-old phenom is coaching one of the teams in the Celebrity All-Star Game. Before tip-off, he was asked about Charania’s skills as a basketball player, as Charania is participating in the game. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo is not impressed with Charania, as he flat-out said he isn’t good at basketball.

“You know why it’s not fair? Because I have Shams on my team. He cannot hoop,” said Antetokounmpo. “But, everybody else can hoop.”

"He cannot hoop."

Giannis on Shams. pic.twitter.com/wYIamBqfsV

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 14, 2026

Ever since the trade deadline passed, the Milwaukee franchise has been relentless in trolling Shams Charania. During a press conference with media members, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers informed everyone that Giannis Antetokounmpo was trying to trade Charania to the other Celebrity All-Star team. It was the organization’s way to “spark trade rumors” about the popular NBA Insider.

Overall, it appears to be a nice break for Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. It gives the nine-time All-Star extra time to nurse his calf injury and potentially return soon after the All-Star Break. He won’t be playing in any event, including the All-Star Game. He was voted to be a starter, but was replaced by San Antonio Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has played in 30 games so far this season. In those contests, the Bucks star is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. He’s also shooting 64.5% from the floor (career-high), and 39.5% from beyond the three-point line (career-high).

The post Giannis hilariously roasts Shams Charania during NBA Celebrity All-Star Game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The journey, however, took Dieng on a trek across the United States. Then, into Canada, then, back into the States, and concluded with a long car ride toward Milwaukee, his final destination.

“It was crazy,” Dieng told ClutchPoints. “I was in San Antonio with the Thunder. Then, got traded to the Hornets. So, I stayed like four hours in my room. Then, the Chicago trade happened. So, I flew to Chicago. Did my physical in the night and in the morning. Then, I was supposed to play with Chicago in Toronto. So, I took a plane to Toronto. Then, as soon as the plane took off, I saw the trade to Milwaukee.

“So, I had to land in Toronto, go back to Chicago, and drive to Milwaukee. It was really crazy, but I’m excited to be here.”

Dieng traveled over 2,333 miles to be there, and it paid off. With Antetokounmpo nursing a right calf injury amidst a 22-30 Bucks record in the dog days of the NBA’s 82-game regular season, Dieng’s 17 points, including five threes, and three rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench, helped Milwaukee secure a 116-108 win against the Orlando Magic.

Deing says Bucks head coach Doc Rivers helped alleviate the pressure that most players joining a team mid-season feel by telling the fourth-year forward to be himself, trust his instincts, and it paid off in the form of a breakout performance.

“He just told me to just play the way I play, make the right decisions,” Dieng said. “And I told him I’d do anything to help the team win.”

The advice helped Dieng settle into his new home, as did the support of Giannis’ brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and the rest of the Bucks organization, which Ousmane said has eased the transition to his new team. Still, heading back to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder, his former team, was a fitting follow-up to his first breakout performance with the Bucks. It set the stage for a career-best performance on Thursday.

Ousmane Dieng’s career night lifts Bucks in his return to OKC

Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng scored a career-high 19 points in a 110-93 win against the Thunder. Facing off against his former team was an emotional night, Dieng admits. However, it didn’t disrupt his focus: the familiarity and warm welcome from Thunder fans when the PA announcer called out Ousmane’s name during the starting lineup introduction at the Paycom Center led to his best performance.

In a 110-93 win against the Thunder, Dieng finished with 19 points on 7-for-12 attempts, including 3-of-6 from deep, 11 rebounds, six assists, four blocks, and one steal. Coming off stuffing the stat sheet against the Thunder, it’s hard to believe Dieng was feeling a lot of different emotions before tip-off.

“A lot of everything; nervous, excited, but it was fun,” Dieng said. “I liked it. I played four years with those guys. So, it was really fun.”

Ahead of Dieng’s return to the Paycom Center on Thursday night, Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham, filling in for head coach Doc Rivers, discussed how much he’s enjoyed working closely with Dieng.

“Really good kid, man, in the short amount of time I’ve been around him,” Ham said. “A great vibe to him, asks all the right questions, stood right next to him on his first day of practice. And just talking about the offense and different dynamics, the defense, you know? High IQ, soaking in everything, taking one step at a time, and loves to work. We’re excited about him.”

Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham, filling in for Doc Rivers’ pregame media availability, talks about what he’s liked from Ousmane Dieng, so far pic.twitter.com/FGvRJ3eplH

— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) February 12, 2026

For Dieng, his two breakout performances with the Bucks are a byproduct of being given an increased role on a team that wasn’t readily available on the Thunder. Behind All-Star Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, and Kenrich Williams in head coach Mark Daigneault’s depth chart, Dieng was eager to prove himself as an everyday NBA player. He wasted no time in doing so in his first week with the Bucks.

“I feel like it’s just an opportunity. I put in the work,” Dieng added. “I know what I can do. I’m just able to show it right now. It’s great.”

Dieng tallied a combined 36 points on 13-of-22 shooting, including 8-for-14 from deep, 14 rebounds, six assists, four blocks, and one steal in his last two games with the Bucks. He’s in the final year of his four-year rookie contract, worth $6.6 million for the 2025-26 season, and will enter the summer as a restricted free agent.

The post Exclusive: Ousmane Dieng’s ‘crazy’ trade path leading to prime breakout with Bucks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After the loss, Daigneault pointed to the Bucks’ defense disrupting the Thunder’s offense early and often throughout the night, as Milwaukee’s lead ballooned to its largest of the night, 24 points.

“We weren’t able to really get any offensive rhythm tonight for whatever reason,” Daigneault said. “I thought there were a lot of possessions we weren’t very organized, which sets you back at the beginning of possessions. Milwaukee did a great job; obviously, they outplayed us the whole night. But, obviously, it just wasn’t our best night. But I thought our process let us down on a lot of plays.”

While the Bucks’ defense held the Thunder to under 40% from the floor (37.3%), they drained 17 threes amid a well-balanced attack. Seven Bucks players scored in double figures, including a team-high 19 points from the former Thunder forward acquired ahead of last week’s trade deadline.

AJ Green connected on six threes en route to 17 points. Bobby Portis added a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds), and Kyle Kuzma chipped in 14 points. Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who earned his first All-Star nod ahead of this weekend’s festivities, led Oklahoma City with 16 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

The Thunder were also missing their starting center, Isaiah Hartenstein, his backup in Branden Carlson, and backup guard Ajay Mitchell.

Mark Daigneault talks about Nikola Topic before Thunder debut

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault discussed Nikola Topic’s long road to making his NBA debut. After Topic forfeited his rookie season with an ACL injury, the 2024 first-round pick was diagnosed with testicular cancer after the Thunder’s first preseason game in October.

For Daigneault, Topic’s remarkable journey set the stage for an unforgettable night at the Paycom Center.

“He’s done an incredible job in the face of a lot of different obstacles and adversities,” Daigneault said. “For a young person, he’s shown tremendous resilience and optimism, professionalism, consistency, steadiness; he’s an impressive young guy. And before that, he did an ACL [injury]. Then, turned around and had another more significant setback. I’m incredibly happy for him to be able to dress tonight.”

Mark Daigneault on Nikola Topić’s NBA debut: “He’s done an incredible job in the face of a lot of different obstacles and adversities.

For a young person, he’s shown tremendous resilience, and optimism… I’m incredibly happy for him to be able to dress tonight” pic.twitter.com/qvog1tBYwa

— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) February 12, 2026

The Thunder enter the All-Star break with the NBA-best record — 42-14.

The post Thunder’s Mark Daigneault reveals biggest reason for stunning Bucks upset appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Milwaukee cruised to a 110-93 road victory versus the Oklahoma City Thunder and head into the NBA All-Star break having won five of its last six games. Both teams had to navigate notable absences. Antetokounmpo remains sidelined with a calf injury, Ryan Rollins is dealing with a foot issue and head coach Doc Rivers was attending a funeral. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein all sat out for OKC due to various injuries.

Ultimately, the Bucks played with more intensity. Ousmane Dieng thumped his former squad with 19 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. Bobby Portis posted 15 points, 12 boards and four steals in 29 minutes off the bench. AJ Green knocked down five 3-pointers, and Kevin Porter Jr. notched seven assists and three steals. This unlikely cast of characters silenced the home crowd inside Paycom Center and pushed the Bucks (23-30) a bit closer toward relevance.

This surge, which now has the squad just one and a half games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final NBA Play-In Tournament slot, is exciting the fan base.

“Yea The Bucks Are Back,” @YeliBombEnjoyer declared on X. “Bucks really flipped the script fast,” @Shady_Justin remarked. “Giannis would be a fool to leave man he got a squad,” @1danNaldo opined. “It’s clicking,” @TalkingBucks commented. “The second half is ours, we haven’t even got Giannis back yet.”

If Antetokounmpo can return soon, Milwaukee’s formerly dim playoff prospects could actually become quite promising. The team still has a long way to go, however. A shorthanded squad can gut out wins over fellow sub-.500 teams like the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers. Beating an up-and-down Orlando Magic and an undermanned Thunder group is not worthy of a parade, either. These wins do prove something, though.

The Bucks are not dead yet. They will rest up during the All-Star break and try to pick up where they left off when they face the Pelicans next Friday night.

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Of course, Antetokounmpo has not been on the court much this year. He has played in only 30 games, having dealt with knee, shoulder, ankle, groin, and calf injuries.

With the Bucks’ All-Star on the mend, the lineup has lacked much punch. But one player made a huge difference Thursday against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

In only his third game with Milwaukee, Ousmane Dieng scored 19 points, to go with 11 rebounds, six assists, four blocks, three triples, one steal, and no turnovers in 36 minutes. His excellent effort helped the Bucks pull off quite the upset, beating the Thunder, 110-93.

In doing so, he became just the second player in Bucks history to record at least 10 rebounds, five assists, three three-pointers, and no turnovers. That is quite astounding, especially knowing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in Milwaukee.

This performance seemingly came out of nowhere, though. Dieng was drafted 11th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. But he did not play a game for them, having spent most of the first four seasons with the Thunder, of all teams.

After struggling to get any minutes in OKC, Dieng was traded to the Bucks last week. He was part of a deal that sent Mason Plumlee to Oklahoma City, Nick Richards to Charlotte, and Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to Phoenix.

Over the first three-plus years of his career, the 6-foot-9 forward was yet to average better than five points and two boards per game. That is very likely to change this year.

Milwaukee is highly likely to give him all the minutes he can handle while Antetokounmpo is out. But at 22 years old, even upon his return, the Bucks are going to want to see what he can do. If Thursday is any indication, it could be quite a lot.

The post Bucks’ Ousmane Dieng needed just 3 games to match Giannis Antetokounmpo’s bonkers feat appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Bucks have been playing well, winning four of their last five contests after losing eight of their previous nine. Since superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is intent on returning to the court this season, the squad could prioritize a potential playoff berth. Milwaukee (22-30) is two games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final slot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, so every game counts.

Beating the defending NBA champions would normally be a difficult task with or without Rivers, but the Thunder are missing key members themselves. Reigning regular season and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star Jalen Williams and glue guy Isaiah Hartenstein are all inactive for Thursday’s clash in OKC.

If the Bucks can capitalize on this lengthy injury report and escape Paycom Center with a W, they will be heading into the break with more momentum than they have had since the beginning of the campaign. Will Ham come through?

Although his tenure in LA did not end well, the two-time champion (one as a player and one as an assistant) did coach the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals. Ergo, he may be able to hold his own against Mark Daigneault and company. The action tips off at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET.

The post Bucks’ Doc Rivers will miss Thunder game to attend funeral, Darvin Ham to step in appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Williams is ruled out for the Thunder’s second leg of a back-to-back ahead of the All-Star break. The defending champions will host the Bucks at the Paycom Center.

Williams returned from a 10-game absence in the Thunder’s 119-110 win against the Los Angeles Lakers. He finished with 23 points and three rebounds before Wednesday’s 28 points, five assists, and four rebounds against the Suns. Williams’ right hamstring injury is the same ailment that forced a 10-game absence ahead of his return against the Lakers.

Will Thunder lose Jalen Williams for a significant amount of time?

Because Thunder forward Jalen Williams missed 10 games with the same right hamstring injury suffered on Wednesday, the defending champions could be without their All-Defensive forward when the regular season resumes after the All-Star break. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault commended Williams’ impressive 28-point performance in their win over the Suns, noting how consistent Jalen’s scoring can create opportunities for his teammates.

Without All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s reinsertion of Williams back into the fold was seamless despite a 10-game absence. He picked up right where he left off in helping the Thunder secure two wins on the road, but will now suffer another setback amidst an injury-riddled season.

Williams has missed 30 regular-season games thus far. The Thunder enter Thursday’s matchup against the Bucks with the NBA’s best record — 42-13.

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The move comes after the Bucks confirmed that Antetokounmpo will remain sidelined as he continues to recover from a right calf strain sustained on Jan. 23. The league’s official PR account shared the update on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game (Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 PM ET on NBC & Peacock).

Fox joins USA Stripes. Heat guard Norman Powell, with ties to Jamaica, moves from USA Stripes to Team World.

Antetokounmpo is out with a calf strain.”

Fox, 28, earns the All-Star nod amid a productive campaign with the San Antonio Spurs. He is averaging 19.4 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range across 45 appearances. He has logged 32 minutes per contest this season, providing scoring and playmaking for a Spurs team building around its young core.

Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game (Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 PM ET on NBC & Peacock).

Fox joins USA Stripes. Heat guard Norman Powell, with ties to Jamaica, moves from… pic.twitter.com/yTiBdlWfbZ

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 12, 2026

De’Aaron Fox earns NBA All-Star nod as Giannis Antetokounmpo sits out

Antetokounmpo, a former MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, will not participate in Sunday’s showcase but is still expected to be present during All-Star Weekend. The Bucks shared an update regarding his status on X.

“Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to rehab his right calf strain sustained on Jan. 23.

He won’t play in this weekend’s All-Star Game, but will attend to help coach the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday and cheer on his fellow Team World teammates at the All-Star Game on Sunday.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to rehab his right calf strain sustained on Jan. 23.

He won’t play in this weekend’s All-Star Game, but will attend to help coach the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday and cheer on his fellow Team World teammates at the All-Star Game on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/2GlVvHE0Wp

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 12, 2026

Antetokounmpo’s absence marks a notable change for the event, as the 31-year-old remains one of the league’s most recognizable figures. Despite missing the exhibition game, his participation in the weekend’s festivities ensures his continued presence during the league’s midseason celebration.

Fox’s selection adds another accolade to his resume and gives the Spurs representation in one of the NBA’s premier events. The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. ET and will air on NBC and Peacock.

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In the win over the Magic, Thomas recorded a game-high 34 points on 12 of 20 shooting from the field, four of six from beyond the arc, to go along with four rebounds and two assists. Showing his microwave-type ability to get hotter from the field as the game went on, Rivers would compare Thomas to players he’s coached in the past, like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, while sharing the differences and similarities.

“I’ve had Jamal Crawford. I had Lou Williams,” Rivers said, via Michael. Scotto. “And now, I have Cam Thomas.”

“They’re similar, but they’re all different in their own ways,” Rivers continued. “Cam wants to do right. He wants to play well. You can see that. And we’re going to give him every opportunity. I mean, the guy is a natural scorer, and you can see that. Probably forced one or two today where he overdribbled. You live with that, and you teach that to get that out of him. But overall, he was fantastic.”

“I’ve had Jamal Crawford. I’ve had Lou Williams. Now, I have Cam Thomas.”

Doc Rivers speaks on what it's like having Cam on the Bucks now

(via @MikeAScotto)

pic.twitter.com/bKrhl77we2 https://t.co/82bgHOPV8Y

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 12, 2026

New Bucks guard Cam Thomas reacts to Doc Rivers’ praise

While Thomas looks to make an impact after signing with the Bucks, there’s no denying that Rivers sees the possibilities of what the guard can accomplish. With those comparisons to talented scorers, Thomas spoke about hearing the praise from Rivers.

“It means a lot, (Rivers) having that confidence (in me) early,” Thomas said, via The Athletic. “I’d say everybody knows I can score … I mean, that’s the name of the game — getting buckets, scoring — but I am more than just a scorer. I feel like playmaking, drawing the defense on me, making the right play, I feel like that’s a part of my game that gets underrated just because I score the ball so well.”

At any rate, Thomas looks to further help Milwaukee as their next game is on Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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That was in full effect on Wednesday in Orlando, as Thomas scored 34 points, including a variety of his signature tough buckets, in the win. Thomas capped off the victory with a dagger three from several feet beyond the arc, which prompted a look of cold satisfaction from star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was watching the proceedings from the bench.

Giannis Antetokounmpo looks at Cam Thomas like a scrumptious snack after he hits the dagger 38-footer

Via: https://t.co/A0ahxh0XKZ pic.twitter.com/PtEFh3qaol

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 12, 2026

The Bucks recently surprised the NBA world by opting to keep Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline despite the rampant rumors surrounding the team, although the star is currently sidelined due to a calf ailment.

At this point, it’s unclear when, if at all this season, Antetokounmpo will be back in the lineup for the Bucks, so players like Thomas should have plenty of opportunities to get shots up in his absence.

Thomas has long been known as an impressive scorer dating back to his days with the Brooklyn Nets, where he had a propensity for knocking down tough buckets despite good defense.

There are certainly questions about Thomas’ own defense, as well as his ability to play within an organized structure on a winning team, but for now, he is sure to electrify Bucks fans with his Kyrie Irving-esque shot-making and competitiveness.

Meanwhile, some fans have floated the idea of the Bucks sitting Antetokounmpo for the rest of the year in the hopes of securing a blue-chip prospect in the upcoming draft, which could be enough to convince the star to stay around long term.

In any case, the Bucks will next hit the floor on Thursday evening against the Oklahoma City Thunder

The post Giannis’ eye of the tiger look at Cam Thomas after dagger will have Bucks fans fired up appeared first on ClutchPoints.

ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst said the Bucks were taking calls about Antetokounmpo, and that it was a real idea, not a hoax. The Bucks wanted a big deal to trade him, but no deal stood out. There were conspiracy theories that it was never real because Giannis Antetokounmpo announced a Kalshi sponsorship not long after. There is still a way for the Bucks to trade Antetokounmpo in the summer if the two sides think that there is no path forward.

The post Brian Windhorst shuts down Giannis Antetokounmpo Kalshi trade conspiracy with the Milwaukee Bucks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat were the three most aggressive teams pursuing Antetokounmpo this trade cycle, yet many other teams made calls to Milwaukee to see if trading for Giannis was a real possibility.

All of these talks transpired with roughly two weeks until the trade deadline, which is why many felt the Bucks were not serious about their intentions to trade Antetokounmpo. Still, that did not stop the three teams eager to add Giannis before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

As for why Giannis remains in Milwaukee right now, the answer is simple: Although the Bucks and GM Jon Horst received some compelling offers and intel from their competitors that certainly raised an eyebrow, at no point did they want to actually trade Giannis.

Why Giannis Antetokounmpo is still with Bucks

Giannis loves the city of Milwaukee, and he has never once explicitly requested a trade. That remains true to this day, as the Greek superstar has never once gone to Horst or any member of ownership to tell them that he no longer wants to be with the franchise, league sources confirmed to ClutchPoints.

So, why would the Bucks even entertain the thought of trading one of the best players in league history?

Whether it was Antetokounmpo’s representation putting pressure on the organization through their client or someone else, it has been clear that Giannis has been frustrated with how things have gone through the years. The 31-year-old expects to be in the championship conversation every single season, especially in the prime of his career, yet that has not happened in Milwaukee.

Every player at some point in their career is always thinking about the future and different scenarios that could play out. For Giannis, this happened over the summer when he and his representation began evaluating all options, including those that would involve him departing the franchise he has spent his entire career with.

Even so, he remained with the Bucks through the trade deadline, and there is a chance Giannis could continue his career in Milwaukee, the only city he has been able to call home since coming to the United States from Greece as an 18-year-old in 2013.

“Brother, if you ask me deep down what I want today, I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career,” Antetokounmpo told Bucks reporter Eric Nehm of The Athletic in an exclusive interview before the deadline. “I want to win here, another championship. And if you can tell me that’s possible, let’s just hang up the phone.

“I want to be here, but I want to be here to win, not fighting for my life to make the playoffs.”

The message from Giannis can’t be clearer, and he has continued to give his organization the benefit of the doubt. That is why the franchise is devoted to making things better, particularly because he has never demanded a trade like other stars around the NBA would have by now.

When the Bucks began listening to offers from teams for Giannis near the end of January, they did so with the intention of simply seeing what the market looked like, what teams would be interested, and gathering any bit of intel that could help them going into the summer, sources said. At no point did the Bucks seriously consider trading Antetokounmpo, which is why many teams that thought they were in “advanced discussions” for Giannis left the deadline feeling duped.

There were never any counteroffers made by the Bucks when teams presented their assets in discussions centered around Giannis. Instead, the word from some of the teams pursuing Antetokounmpo was that they had to put everything on the table of what they would be willing to give up.

The Bucks never explicitly told these teams aggressively pursuing Giannis what it would take to complete a trade before the deadline, sources said.

Even with some teams attempting to increase their offers by searching the marketplace for extra assets and draft picks, Milwaukee still never showed any interest and was simply listening, plotting, and gathering intel on their competitors. As a result, league sources said trade talks between the Bucks and others never intensified to the point where Giannis was actually close to being traded.

“All the reports out there say the Bucks were negotiating and going back and forth on a Giannis trade. That wasn’t the case,” one source from a team directly involved in conversations with Milwaukee before the trade deadline told ClutchPoints. “You could tell they weren’t serious at all and just wanted information. It is possible they were just getting a head start on trading Giannis in the summer, but they got all the information they needed right now to try to flip things around in the summer.”

The signals from those teams in direct talks with the Bucks regarding Giannis are simply that Horst and ownership were not ready to part with Giannis. He never explicitly told them to trade him, and based on Antetokounmpo’s own words, he wants to remain the face of this franchise.

By gathering intel from teams around the NBA and figuring out their respective courses of action, the Bucks already have a head start on the offseason when it comes to finding ways to improve their roster around Giannis. Perhaps everything is a coincidence with the way it turned out, but the tone and mood from these teams that spoke with the Bucks is that this was a well-thought-out plot.

Even in the aftermath of Giannis remaining in Milwaukee, the organization and star player have treated such trade conversations as a joke. Both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks had a field day on social media once reports surfaced of him remaining in Milwaukee past the trade deadline.

But still, key questions about the Bucks’ immediate future remain, as Horst and his staff have a few months to devise their plan to immediately turn things around. Giannis wants to win, and a clear timeline, starting with the 2026 NBA Draft, now presents itself.

In addition to the potential of adding a high-level prospect in the draft, three key talents and contracts remain on this roster: Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and Bobby Portis. All three will likely be involved in trade conversations the Bucks have to try and improve their roster, and this team will have access to draft picks in 2031, 2032, and 2033 to utilize in said talks.

And then, of course, the looming four-year, $275 million extension that can be offered to Antetokounmpo will tell all. If Giannis hints at the fact that he won’t accept this offer no matter what, Milwaukee will have its answer right there on whether it’s time to trade the superstar.

Even so, there is still a lot to sort through in this saga, and the biggest takeaway from the trade deadline is that both Giannis and the Bucks still appear to want to work things out.

Essentially, they wasted everyone’s time at the deadline … except the Warriors, who saw this coming from the start.

Warriors’ patient, yet busy, trade deadline approach

When Joe Lacob and the Warriors see an opportunity, they pounce on it. That is what happened in 2016 when the organization signed Kevin Durant, creating arguably the most dominant team we have ever seen in NBA history. That opportunity to land Durant is something this organization has never taken for granted, and it’s why the Dubs have remained ultra-aggressive when it comes to pursuing superstar talents.

Winning is all that matters to Lacob, which is why Giannis has been his dream target ever since Durant departed Golden State in 2019. The Warriors had made several calls to the Bucks through the years to inquire about the possibility of a trade involving Giannis. Each time, the answer was a clear “no,” but the Dubs have never quit on their pursuit of Antetokounmpo.

Again, with the writing seemingly on the wall for Giannis’ eventual departure in Milwaukee, the Warriors made calls about Giannis’ availability both during the summer and around Thanksgiving time, league sources said. Once again, there were no discussions to be had, yet the possibility of him becoming available before the trade deadline looked stronger than ever.

With that in mind, the Warriors began searching the trade market and devising their plans for what would be an important trade cycle, especially with the Jonathan Kuminga drama hanging over their heads.

Although the idea of going all-in on Giannis remained, Golden State began searching the market for instant-impact wings, which led them to New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III. Multiple conversations were had between the two teams, yet league sources said the Pelicans never once budged on Murphy, a player they believe can become a multi-time All-Star.

With the market for wings inflated due to the lack of talent available, the Warriors did not seek to overpay in the slightest. Along with Kuminga, a young talent the Pelicans did hold a level of interest in, the Dubs were prepared to offer an unprotected first-round pick in 2026, along with some sort of softly protected pick in 2028 for Murphy, sources said.

The Pelicans would not back down from their hefty asking price, and while interest in Kuminga did exist, they did not view him as a young talent to build with for the future. If New Orleans was going to trade Murphy to Golden State, sources said it would have taken at least three unprotected picks to make up for what the Pelicans deemed “undesirable assets.”

That was a price the Warriors would not pay, which led to other paths.

In early January, the Memphis Grizzlies became a key talking point in league circles. Aside from drama surrounding Ja Morant and his future, multiple teams began making calls to the Grizzlies inquiring about All-Star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. The Warriors were one of those teams Memphis held direct dialogue with, given their interest in possibly acquiring future draft picks from Golden State.

These two teams spoke multiple times after the calendar flipped to the new year, and the idea of trading for Jackson, a stretch big man who would instantly provide a spark defensively next to Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, was very appealing.

However, the Grizzlies’ steep asking price of at least three first-round picks was certainly a roadblock in talks between the two sides, as was Jan. 19, when Butler tore his right ACL. Almost immediately, discussions between the Grizzlies and Warriors were tabled, as this injury changed everything for how the remainder of the season would play out in San Francisco.

After a few days of coming up with a plan for the trade deadline, which was now roughly two weeks away, in the wake of Butler’s injury, the Warriors and other teams began calling the Bucks once more about Giannis. For the first time, Milwaukee was receptive to these trade calls, and the Warriors, like other organizations, saw a clear opportunity to actually trade for Antetokounmpo.

All of the Warriors’ assets outside of Curry were on the table in these discussions, including the ideas of flipping Jimmy Butler or even including Draymond Green in some sort of package, league sources said. Talks with the Grizzlies about Jackson were put to the side, as Golden State’s dream of pursuing Giannis seemed like a possible reality for about 48 hours.

The only way Green would be traded at the deadline is if the Warriors were to land Giannis, league sources confirmed. As the Warriors held discussions with the Bucks for about two straight days, a couple of Western Conference teams called the Warriors to inquire about Green, who was obviously filled in on talks Golden State held with Milwaukee.

At no point did the Dubs entertain either of these calls since it quickly became clear a Giannis trade wasn’t going to happen.

Unlike other teams that were trying to get a sense of what the Bucks wanted and did not initially put all of their assets on the table, the Warriors made an aggressive pitch involving four unprotected first-round picks, sources said. This immediately raised eyebrows in Milwaukee, as many in the Bucks’ front office were described as “captivated” with the concept of adding unprotected draft picks from the Warriors past 2030, sources said.

There was real interest from the Bucks in the Warriors’ draft-pick-heavy package, with league sources saying they liked Golden State’s picks more than any other team’s draft assets. Still, the Warriors knew right away during their initial discussions that Giannis would be a long shot, especially since talks with the Bucks were described as “one-sided.”

It was Golden State doing all the talking and trying to come up with a package to land Giannis. Milwaukee was simply listening, acting receptive to all offers, even though Giannis wasn’t going anywhere.

Although pursuing Giannis was their dream and the clear Plan A at the trade deadline, the Warriors quickly came to the realization that this would not be their immediate reality. The weekend before the deadline, the Dubs restarted discussions centered on Jackson with the Grizzlies, knowing that the Bucks weren’t going to accept anything they offered. Still, the Warriors held out hope and left their offer on the table before Milwaukee ultimately turned it down.

Jackson became the Warriors’ Plan B before the trade deadline, but their pursuit came with clear concerns and caveats.

As good of a player as Jackson is on both sides of the court, Golden State did not view him as anything more than a secondary star. Not to mention, his long-term, high-paying contract was viewed as more of a risk than a potential reward with Butler being out for the season.

If Butler were healthy entering the trade deadline, the Warriors would have had more reason to be aggressive and sacrifice future assets for Jackson, a player who could easily raise this team’s championship aspirations next to Curry, Butler, and Green. However, Butler’s injury and other teams’ pursuit of Jackson only raised his price right before the deadline.

While the Warriors would have done a deal involving draft picks before 2029, the Grizzlies obviously wanted the reverse. At no point was Golden State willing to go that far into the future with draft picks for Jackson, sources said.

With the Dubs unwilling to meet the Grizzlies’ price of three draft picks, Memphis explored other opportunities and ultimately traded Jackson to the Utah Jazz in a package that involved three future firsts and young talent like Walter Clayton Jr. and Taylor Hendricks.

The Warriors’ final offer for Jackson was some variation of two clear draft picks, some sort of swap, Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and another contract for salary purposes, sources said. Despite the Grizzlies expressing interest in Moses Moody, the Warriors were unwilling to move him for Jackson. Trading Moody and several future draft assets that would tie up their future was not something Golden State viewed as a positive outcome.

Both Plan A and Plan B were off the table for the Warriors, which made Plan C an easy choice.

How Kristaps Porzingis became Warriors’ clear trade option

With their first two big plans out the door and the trade market as a whole being shallow due to the Bucks’ talks regarding Giannis, there were not many options left for the Warriors at this point.

That is why Golden State circled back to brief conversations that were held with the Atlanta Hawks around the same time in early January, when they first discussed the idea of trading for Jackson with the Grizzlies. Kristaps Porzingis was someone the Warriors had held interest in over the last few seasons and held trade dialogue about when he was dealt from the Washington Wizards to the Boston Celtics in 2023.

Last offseason, the Warriors held brief conversations with the Celtics about Porzingis before he was ultimately traded to the Hawks. Porzingis has long been on the Warriors’ radar due to his length, rim-protecting abilities, and 3-point shooting skills on offense as a 7-footer.

As a result of the Hawks signaling that they were open to trading Porzingis before the deadline, in addition to the great relationship Hawks GM Onsi Saleh has with the Warriors and GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., these two teams began discussing a Porzingis-centric trade before the Giannis extravaganza began.

These discussions with the Hawks were always viewed as the Warriors’ Plan C, and they knew this option would still be there the day before the deadline.

So, when talks for Giannis and Jackson fell through, the Warriors and Hawks began serious talks at the start of trade deadline week centered around Porzingis. It did not take long for a deal to come about, as Golden State traded Kuminga and Hield to the Hawks for Porzingis, a deal involving no draft picks.

Saleh had always held a strong relationship with Kuminga, dating back to his time as the Warriors’ Vice President of Basketball Strategy before he ultimately joined the Hawks in 2024. The Hawks were prepared to deal Porzingis before the deadline, and sources said this was viewed as a buy-low spot for Atlanta to get a look at Kuminga, who is still just 23 years old and only has one year left on his contract.

From the Warriors’ perspective, Porzingis is the exact type of player they have been targeting in their frontcourt through the years. Porzingis was viewed as the perfect fit for the Dubs, and the organization truly views this as a no-risk, potentially high-reward trade.

Since there weren’t any players that made sense for them to sacrifice future assets for at the deadline after Giannis talks fell through and Butler tore his ACL, the Warriors went with the safe option of trading Kuminga for value. No matter what, the Warriors were always prepared to trade Kuminga and not let his drama hang over the franchise any longer than it already had, sources told ClutchPoints.

Adding Porzingis, a guy who fills all of Golden State’s needs outside of the wing right now, gives them a chance to potentially do something come playoff time. Not to mention, the word surrounding Porzingis is that he has always wanted to play for the Warriors and has been aware of their interest in him over the years. Perhaps this leads to the big man being willing to accept a team-friendly deal to stay if he fits in well and gets his health under control.

Essentially, the Warriors flipped a player who was not playing and did not want to be there for a former All-Star who has championship experience and wanted to play for them. Also, Porzingis’ expiring $30.7 million contract creates flexibility and allows the Warriors to keep their options open entering the offseason.

Although fans of the team would have obviously liked to see a bigger move, the reality of the situation in the Bay Area is that Butler’s injury derailed all hopes of contending for a championship. Maybe it could still happen, as we’ve seen crazier things happen in the NBA before, but this trade for Porzingis still leaves the Warriors in a terrific position to explore their options and potential paths to pursuing another star in the summer.

“We’ve got the goods to make deals,” Dunleavy said in his press conference with reporters on Saturday. “I think the only way we wouldn’t be in the mix is if we gave up assets, young players. All the things you would need to get a great player, we still have all that. I think that’s one of the reasons the KP trade is really good for us, similar to Jimmy last year.

“We don’t feel like we gave up a ton. And so we still have kind of the firepower to move forward and do more deals, and that’s what we like about that.”

As a result of holding onto their assets, the Warriors can now be aggressive again when the time comes for the offseason. Does this mean another pursuit of Giannis? Perhaps, but what happens if other stars like Karl-Anthony Towns or Kawhi Leonard become available? Maybe the Cleveland Cavaliers look to move Jarrett Allen, or maybe even Bam Adebayo asks for a trade from the Miami Heat.

After all, Adebayo is a player the Warriors have been interested in over the last year, as we’ve reported at ClutchPoints, and he still holds a strong relationship with Butler. Adebayo is certainly a player Warriors fans should keep in the back of their mind, especially with Lacob also owning the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA and wanting to be aggressive in pursuing a superstar talent soon.

A’ja Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP, will be a key free agent target for Lacob and the Valkyries, sources said. Why would this matter for the Warriors? Well, Wilson and Adebayo have been together for years. These two becoming the faces of both Golden State franchises is certainly something to monitor.

These are all different scenarios that would only help the Warriors, and even more options exist with Murphy remaining on the Pelicans and more unknowns set to appear between now and the start of the new league year in July.

As for what the immediate future of the Warriors looks like, everything is contingent on what happens in the playoffs and with Porzingis’ health.

Steve Kerr’s future has been a talking point across the NBA, yet all signs point to him continuing on with Steph and Draymond. The Warriors will work out the details of a short-term deal if that is what Kerr would like.

All of the talk about the franchise not wanting him back is simply false, and there is nothing to suggest that Kerr’s coaching staff or the Warriors have been preparing for this to be his last season. The Dubs would like Kerr to continue coaching as long as he wants, and sources said the idea has always been for Kerr and Curry to retire together.

Whether Green will stick around long enough to ride off into the sunset with them is the big question, as he’s likely the first to retire of the three based on his previous comments about how long he envisions being in the NBA. But this is all hypothetical, and Green is still under contract for at least one more season with his $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

After that, the ball will be in Green’s court as to how long he wants to play, especially since his next deal with the Warriors would need to be for significantly less money. If he wants to remain with Golden State, he will need to understand this.

The Warriors were certainly one of the more engaged and active teams at the NBA trade deadline. Just because Plan A and Plan B did not work out the way they had hoped, Plan C is still something the Warriors wanted to do, and it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Only time will tell if Golden State can make one last championship push before Kerr, Curry, and Green retire.

The post NBA trade deadline intel: Inside Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks, why Warriors played it safe appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“It’s new beginnings. Happy for the opportunity. Happy that everybody is embracing me. Everybody’s happy that I’m here. Everybody wanted me,” Thomas said. “So, I feel great. Can’t wait to get on the court and help win. The front office told me that they always wanted me, always called about me, been trying to get me here for years. So, that definitely plays a part in your decision to go somewhere. I really felt wanted by the guys.

“Talked to Doc before. It was great. Great conversations. Just seeing the team, I felt like I can actually help, and contribute, and really just blend in. Be one of the guys. So, I’m just happy to be here. Happy to help. Can’t wait to get to winning with the guys for sure.”

Cam Thomas’ first media appearance as a Buck:

“Happy that everybody is embracing me. Everybody’s happy that I’m here. Everybody wanted me… Front office told me that they always wanted me, always called about me, been trying to get me here for years."pic.twitter.com/Qm4V5SbRXm

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) February 9, 2026

Upon his release, Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez opened up about the front office’s surprising decision to waive Thomas after last Thursday’s trade deadline.

“That’s probably a question for management, because my job is to coach the team on the floor,” Fernandez said. “Obviously, there’s communication between management and the coaching staff, and we’re on the same page, but I’m not going to speak for Sean [Marks]. When Cam was here, he was part of us; he wore our jersey, he played hard, and competed.

“The only thing I can say is thanks for all the time he spent with us… I’ve already told you guys what type of player I thought that I wanted to see. He always worked and tried and was a teammate here. Now it’s exciting for him to start somewhere else. We just wish him luck and say thanks for wearing our jersey,” Fernandez concluded.

Thomas is set to make his Bucks debut in Monday’s matchup against the Magic.

Cam Thomas’ motivation to sign with Bucks

Veteran forward Cam Thomas expressed interest in joining the Bucks after the team showed its interest in him over the years. For Thomas, it made his decision to sign with the Bucks an easy one, he said, per Andscape’s Marc Spears.

“I picked Milwaukee because they wanted me, and they told me they’ve been interested for years now. So, it’s good to have this opportunity come to fruition,” Thomas said. “And I’m just hoping to meet everybody, get to know everybody, and contribute as soon as possible.”

Thomas showed All-Star-level offense during his Nets tenure, averaging 21.4 points on .434/.353/.860 shooting splits over the last three seasons.

The post Cam Thomas’ instant reaction to signing with the Bucks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo was the biggest name on the trading block ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline. Ultimately, the Milwaukee Bucks decide to hold onto him. Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have played a game of cat and mouse for far too long. The two-time MVP, who is arguably the best player in franchise history, has signaled interest in a trade on multiple occasions because it seems unlikely that the Bucks can build a contender around him.

However, every time that Antetokounmpo soft-launches a trade request, he seemingly backpedals and claims he wants to be a lifelong Buck. It is unclear whether Antetokounmpo’s hesitancy to commit to a full-blown trade request is because he genuinely wants to play in Milwaukee or because he doesn’t want to be villainized. Regardless, it now seems like just a matter of time until the Greek Freak actually is moved.

The Bucks have little draft capital to improve the roster going forward, and it is clear that they aren’t contenders as is. Their only trade deadline move was to bring in Nigel Hayes-Davis and Ousmane Dieng, neither of whom likely improves the team’s outlook going forward.

If Antetokounmpo is again put on the trading block, all trade talks league-wide will come to a halt until his situation is figured out. Antetokounmpo is still one of the very best players in the NBA. He is a 6-foot-11 freak of nature who bullies opponents inside with brute force. Antetokounmpo can play at a Defensive Player of the Year level on the less glamorous end of the court, too.

Teams have learned from the Dallas Mavericks’ mistakes and won’t trade their megastars for underwhelming packages. The Bucks likely didn’t get a huge package at the trade deadline, but teams may be more willing to mortgage their future for Antetokounmpo in the offseason.

Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers blew their core up at the trade deadline. James Harden was swapped out for a younger Darius Garland, and Ivica Zubac was traded for a package centered around draft capital. Clearly, a new era of Clippers basketball is kicking off, but Kawhi Leonard is still on the roster.

Leonard is a polarizing player whose future is a complete mystery. When healthy, Leonard is one of the best players in the NBA because he is an all-time great defender who can score as the top option. Of course, Leonard has struggled to stay on the court for years. There is also the matter of the ongoing investigation regarding Aspiration and potential salary cap circumventing.

It is unclear what will come from the issue, nor is it clear if the NBA would have even allowed a Leonard trade at the deadline. Leonard has also shown an unwillingness to play outside of Los Angeles. If the league rules that Leonard can be moved, and if teams are comfortable taking him on despite the investigation, injury concerns, and taking him away from his home, then Leonard would be highly coveted in the trade market. He is a player who fits in any scheme and has championship experience with multiple organizations.

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have been growing frustrated with Ja Morant in recent years. The point guard has been suspended on multiple occasions, and his play has slipped in recent seasons. The Grizzlies didn’t trade him at the trade deadline, though. Instead, Jaren Jackson Jr. was sent to the Utah Jazz.

The Grizzlies had also traded Desmond Bane in the offseason. Memphis now has somewhere between 11 and 13 future first-round draft picks. A new era has begun in Memphis. While Morant is still with the team for now, it still seems likely that he will be traded in the upcoming offseason.

Once viewed as a potential future face of the league, Morant’s trade value has  plummeted because of suspect defense, inefficient scoring, and constant butting heads with his team and teammates. Still, a team could take a chance on him, especially if he goes for much cheaper than his former teammates did in trade.

Morant is still an incredible athlete who can finish inside on, around, or over any defender. It seems unlikely that Morant and the Grizzlies can make amends, so if the off-the-court issues are in the past, somebody should buy low on the Murray State product.

Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Michael Porter Jr. has taken his game to new levels with the Brooklyn Nets. Previously more of a catch-and-shoot option with the Denver Nuggets, Porter has been given the ultimate green light this year with the Nets. He has rewarded the team by scoring 25 points per game.

While the Nets could certainly keep Porter as their top option going forward, it is possible that the team will leverage his increased production into an offseason trade. Brooklyn is still rebuilding and is a ways away from contending. They are obsessed with draft capital, considering they currently have five rookie first-rounders on their team and 12 future first-round selections coming their way.

Building around Porter seems like the logical conclusion. His shooting efficiency at 6-foot-10 allows him to fit on any roster/scheme, and he is still just 27 years old. Brooklyn’s desire for draft capital may persuade them to trade Porter in the offseason, though. After all, offseason trades involving big-name players have become commonplace for the Nets in recent years. They received a haul for Mikal Bridges not long ago in the offseason, and Porter was a part of an offseason trade involving Cam Johnson.

Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are all in on a short title window. The team’s roster was simply too expensive to maintain long-term, so they made a short-sided move to acquire James Harden. Sacrificing a much younger All-Star in the process hurt, but Harden likely does give the team a better shot to get into the NBA Finals this year than Darius Garland did.

In addition to the Harden trade, Cleveland sent De’Andre Hunter away in a trade deadline deal for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. They also moved on from Lonzo Ball. These moves helped the Cavaliers get their finances more in check, but they are still the lone second apron team in the NBA.

Jarrett Allen was already involved in trade rumors, and he has a big contract extension kicking in next year. If the Cavaliers are not crowned champions, they may end up looking a whole lot different next season. The consequences for repeating as a second apron team are harsh, and the Cavaliers’ hand may be forced into trading Allen. Luckily, Evan Mobley has looked more equipped this season to be a full-time center than ever before.

The post 5 stars who weren’t traded at 2026 NBA trade deadline who will definitely be moved in offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The fifth-year guard pointed to the Bucks’ previous interest in him when outlining the motivation behind his signing.

“I picked Milwaukee because they wanted me and they told me they’ve been interested for years now. So, it’s good to have this opportunity come to fruition. And I’m just hoping to meet everybody, get to know everybody and contribute as soon as possible,” he told ESPN Andscape’s Marc Spears.

Thomas flashed high-level scoring ability during his Nets tenure, averaging 21.4 points on .434/.353/.860 shooting splits over the last three seasons. However, he showed limited development as a defender and playmaker after stepping into a featured role.

Thomas averaged 3.1 assists per game over the last three seasons, despite consistently ranking toward the top of the NBA in usage rate. He posted the Nets’ worst defensive rating swing (points allowed per 100 possessions with a player on the court vs. off) during each of the last three seasons, per CleaningTheGlass.

Cam Thomas joins struggling Bucks after being waived by Nets

The Nets did not offer Thomas a long-term contract during the offseason. The 24-year-old declined a two-year, $15 million deal featuring a team option and a one-year, $9.5 million offer that would have required him to waive his no-trade clause. He instead signed his $6 million qualifying offer, maintaining his NTC and allowing him to hit unrestricted free agency this summer.

Brooklyn opened the season 0-7 with Thomas in the starting lineup. However, the team showed dramatic improvement after the 24-year-old injured his hamstring during the eighth game of the season. The injury marked Thomas’ fourth left hamstring strain in the last year.

Thomas saw his role reduced upon his return from a multi-month absence. He came off the bench during his last 16 appearances, averaging 12.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 30.6 percent from three. Unable to find a suitable trade offer, the Nets waived Thomas shortly after Thursday’s trade deadline.

“That’s probably a question for management, because my job is to coach the team on the floor,” Jordi Fernandez said of Brooklyn’s decision. “Obviously, there’s communication between management and the coaching staff, and we’re on the same page, but I’m not going to speak for Sean [Marks]. When Cam was here, he was part of us, he wore our jersey, he played hard, and competed. The only thing I can say is thanks for all the time he spent with us… I’ve already told you guys what type of player I thought that I wanted to see. He always worked and tried and was a teammate here. Now it’s exciting for him to start somewhere else. We just wish him luck and say thanks for wearing our jersey.”

Thomas will join a Bucks team that has struggled this season amid Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade saga. Milwaukee is 21-29 and sits 2.5 games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the Eastern Conference’s 10th seed. Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. headline the team’s backcourt rotation.

Antetokounmpo has been sidelined by a calf strain for the last two weeks but is expected to return sometime after the All-Star break.

The post Cam Thomas reveals motivation behind Bucks signing after surprise Nets dismissal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Free agent guard Cam Thomas has agreed to a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, his agent Tony Ronzone of Wasserman tells ESPN. Thomas, 24, averaged 21.4 points per game over the last three seasons with the Nets,” Charania wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Nets were trying to trade Thomas at the deadline, but it seems like they couldn’t find they deal they wanted for him. That led them to waiving him, and several teams reportedly had interest in signing him.

Head coach Jordi Fernandez spoke about Thomas being waived by the team.

“That’s probably a question for management, because my job is to coach the team on the floor,” Fernandez said. “Obviously, there’s communication between management and the coaching staff, and we’re on the same page, but I’m not going to speak for Sean [Marks]. When Cam was here, he was part of us, he wore our jersey, he played hard, and competed. The only thing I can say is thanks for all the time he spent with us… I’ve already told you guys what type of player I thought that I wanted to see. He always worked and tried and was a teammate here. Now it’s exciting for him to start somewhere else. We just wish him luck and say thanks for wearing our jersey.”

Thomas will now have a chance to continue his season with the Bucks, and they’ve needed some help in the scorig department with Antetokounmpo out. One thing that Thomas has shown through his career is that he can put the ball in the basket.

The post Cam Thomas signing with Bucks after Nets release appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Antetokounmpo drew some criticism from fans after the deadline by announcing his partnership with Kalshi, a prediction market with sports trading opportunities, which many perceived to be poor form in the wake of the trade deadline nothing burger.

Now, Antetokounmpo has announced another business venture he will partake in moving forward: the ownership group of the Chelsea FC Women.

Antetokounmpo took to social media, writing that Chelsea FC is ” a historic club built on passion, excellence, and a winning culture. Chelsea’s history speaks for itself, and I’m excited to contribute to the future by supporting continued growth and impact in women’s sport. This is about ambition, legacy, and pushing the game to new heights. Up the Chels!” per his account on X, formerly Twitter.

While the move might be exciting to Antetokounmpo and his agents, it’s not the news that Bucks fans, or fans from several other fanbases around the league, were hoping would be announced regarding the future Hall of Famer around this time of year.

Antetokounmpo reportedly had plenty of suitors on the trade market over the last several weeks, but ultimately, it appears that none of them made an offer big enough that the Bucks couldn’t refuse it.

Now, it remains to be seen what the strategy will be for Milwaukee moving forward this year, as the team would heavily benefit from losing as much as possible in order to secure a better draft pick, although they will receive the lesser of their own selection and that of the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Bucks will next take the floor on Monday vs the Orlando Magic.

The post Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo joins another new team after Kalshi controversy, but it’s Chelsea ownership appeared first on ClutchPoints.

For the Bucks faithful, it was a moment of euphoria. But now that the dust has settled on East State Street, a harsh reality is setting in. The franchise managed to keep its superstar, but they failed to do the one thing that would make his decision worthwhile: they didn’t fix the team around him.

The Bucks’ biggest mistake at the 2026 NBA trade deadline wasn’t keeping Giannis; it was the baffling decision to trade Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey for a package of Ousmane Dieng, Nick Richards, and Nigel Hayes-Davis.

The Cole Anthony confusion

Let’s break down the deal. To get Dieng and Richards, the Bucks sent out Cole Anthony. While Anthony isn’t an All-Star, he was one of the few reliable sparks off the Milwaukee bench this season. He provided ball-handling, shot creation, and the ability to run the offense when Antetokounmpo or Damian Lillard sat.

Trading him for Dieng is the definition of a timeline mismatch. Dieng, formerly of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is a 22-year-old developmental project. He has length and potential, but he hasn’t proven he can contribute to a playoff rotation. If the Bucks were rebuilding, taking a flyer on Dieng makes sense. But they aren’t rebuilding, they just reaffirmed their marriage to a 31-year-old superstar who wants to win now.

By swapping a proven rotation scorer for a developmental wing and a backup big in Richards, who is serviceable but redundant if Bobby Portis is healthy, the Bucks effectively lowered their ceiling for the 2025-26 season. They got younger, yes, but they also got worse in the immediate future. When you have a top-five player in his prime, you don’t make moves for 2028; you make moves for April.

The Bucks could have added Ayo Dosunmu

The sting of the Anthony trade is made worse by looking at who else was on the market, and who the Bucks didn’t get. While Milwaukee was busy acquiring projects, the Minnesota Timberwolves were aggressive, landing Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls.

This is the move Milwaukee should have made.

Dosunmu is exactly the archetype the Bucks have been screaming for: a gritty, athletic point-of-attack defender who can navigate screens, harass ball-handlers, and hit open 3s. He is the antidote to the perimeter breakdowns that have plagued the Bucks’ defense for two seasons. The Timberwolves got him by packaging young assets – Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller – and second-round picks.

Did the Bucks have the assets to outbid Minnesota? Maybe, maybe not. But they had Anthony. They had their own young pieces. They had 2031 draft equity. The mistake wasn’t just losing Anthony; it was failing to leverage him into a player like Dosunmu, who actually moves the needle. Instead of upgrading their perimeter defense, they watched a direct competitor in the West get tougher while they got more “experimental.”

The Bucks are stuck in the middle

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Regardless, the Bucks continue their NBA season against the Indiana Pacers, who will visit Fiserv Forum on Friday. And as things stand, Antetokounmpo is ruled out with a right calf strain, joining multiple injured or unavailable players on the official injury report.

That’s not all, as Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey are both listed as out while not with the team. Gary Harris is questionable because of a left hamstring strain, and Bobby Portis is also listed as questionable as he deals with a right hip contusion.

However, none of those absences will hit the Bucks as hard as Giannis’s. The two-time MVP is now confirmed to miss his sixth straight game after previously missing 14 games, and is some way away from the individual awards requirement of 65.

Further, the trade deadline may have passed, questions about his future will continue to linger. After days of entertaining trade interest from contenders such as the Warriors, Heat, and Timberwolves, Milwaukee ultimately chose to hold onto its two-time MVP.

League sources indicated the team did not feel urgent pressure to move him at the deadline, with both sides expected to revisit the situation once the season ends.

“Legends don’t chase. They attract.” Antetokounmpo wrote earlier on X.

But while he may be staying, the Bucks also need him on the court. Milwaukee sits well below .500 and outside the playoff picture.
Antetokounmpo has averaged 28 points, 10 rebounds and over five assists per game, but the Bucks are 12th in the East with a 20-29 record.

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“{Giannis} and Myles Garrett, It’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to be here.’ And then, ‘Hey, look, I’m back, guys.'” Nacua, at best, is implying that these two superb athletes are fickle. The man does not let a thought go unexpressed.

Garrett is probably preoccupied, however. He unanimously won his second DPOY award on Thursday night and will now turn his attention to the Winter Olympics, where his snowboarder girlfriend Chloe Kim will compete for another gold medal. The Nacua soundbite will probably find its way to him just the same. Though, No. 95 cannot deny that he did pull a 180 when it comes to his feelings about the Browns.

Puka Nacua says Myles Garrett is the NFL’s equivalent of Giannis Antetokounmpo:

“It’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to be here.’ And then, ‘Hey, look, I’m back, guys.’”

( @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/JzP3afnn8I

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 6, 2026

What does the future hold for Myles Garrett and Giannis Antetokounmpo? 

Garrett requested a trade last February, stressing his desire to compete for a Super Bowl. He then signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension a month later, quickly rearranging his priorities. One can see how much losing still gets to him, but he is obviously willing to ride out the hard times now that that Browns backed up the Brink’s truck.

Following a brutal offensive showing by the team — ranked 31st in the league with 16.4 points per game — perhaps the single-season sacks record holder will apply some pressure on the front office during free agency and the NFL Draft. Cleveland continues to squander the prime years of this future Hall of Famer. The Milwaukee Bucks can at least take pride in knowing they won a championship with their transcendent talent.

But is a split unavoidable at this point? Unlike Myles Garrett, Giannis Antetokounmpo has never formally requested a trade. He has publicly affirmed his loyalty for the franchise and city, again and again. However, Shams Charania reported that the 2021 NBA Finals MVP felt it was time to explore new options, hence why the Bucks engaged in talks with teams leading up to the trade deadline. Ultimately, Antetokounmpo did not go anywhere, and he was not upset about it whatsoever.

The seven-time All-NBA First-Team selection posted a classic scene from “The Wolf of Wall Street” that expressed his desire to remain in Milwaukee. Puka Nacua and others may be skeptical, but the Greek Freak has never publicly wavered on his stance. The situation remains shrouded in uncertainty.

If Antetokounmpo and Garrett are going to stay put, then their respective squads must figure out how to maximize their enormous impact. Coincidentally, or perhaps fittingly, the Haslam family is in the majority ownership group of both the Bucks and Browns.

The post Puka Nacua’s Myles Garrett-Giannis comparison will catch fans’ attention appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Ultimately, the package of Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, four unprotected firsts, and a first-round pick swap that Golden State put on the table was not enough to pry Antetokounmpo away from the Bucks, forcing the Warriors to pivot to acquiring Kristaps Porzingis for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.

What’s next for Golden State in the wake of failing to obtain the one player who could give the rest of this season some purpose and meaning? What’s next for Stephen Curry and the dynasty he built in what feels like their twilight days?

The Warriors sit at the tail end of the Western Conference playoff picture, barely holding onto the eighth seed as they continue to slide in the aftermath of Jimmy Butler’s season-ending torn ACL injury.

At present, Curry remains out of the lineup as he tries to heal the patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee) plaguing his knee, while Jonathan Kuminga slowly works his way back from a bone bruise in his own knee. That leaves Steve Kerr to field a star-less, uncompetitive rotation featuring talented hyper-specialists, who could be winning contributors in the right system but are ultimately not enough to contend in the West without adequate star power.

With that set of circumstances in mind, it makes for a tepid and underwhelming watch for a Dubs fanbase used to titles, deep playoff runs, and winning. To express the bleakness of Golden State’s current situation is obvious. To spell it out is sobering.

The big questions on Golden State’s horizon

Golden State finds itself falling into basketball purgatory– otherwise known as the soulless abyss where teams that cannot tank and cannot compete reside. And in the deep, dark pit that is basketball purgatory, hard questions about a franchise’s future have to be asked.

With Curry plagued with ailments that can only be described as “old man injuries,” will the Warriors consider shutting him down for the season?

If contending is no longer on the table, perhaps the best move in the short term is to preserve their franchise cornerstone’s health, no matter how tough a sell that will be to the fans, the team, and Curry himself. Is Curry really gonna sideline himself, even if it’s in his health’s best interest?

Regardless, those are the kinds of questions the Warriors have to ask themselves. They also have to ask themselves about Kerr, their legendary head coach, who’s not under contract next season. Kerr and Curry have maintained that they want to ride into the sunset together as player and coach. But given where the franchise seems to be headed, is Kerr interested in commanding the transitional rebuild effort? Are the Warriors interested in Kerr at the helm of a full-on teardown?

Publicly, Kerr remains adamant that those are questions for the offseason. But this season has wrought moments of visible frustration. And The Ringer reported that his coaching staff is operating under the assumption Kerr won’t return. Not to mention owner Joe Lacob’s strange emails to random fans citing disagreements with Kerr’s coaching decisions. Have the crumbs been laid for a seismic departure?

Going down swinging

Without Antetokounmpo, what’s left for the Warriors, at best, is a spirited first-round exit. While they struck out at the deadline, nearly every other Western Conference team beneath them in the standings chose to punt. The Clippers dealt James Harden and Ivica Zubac for an injured Garland and future picks. The Mavs and Grizzlies booted their star big men. Portland’s still pushing, but the Jazz and the rest of the pack are too far behind.

“Even without Jimmy (Butler), we can make a playoff run,” Kerr said. “The ceiling is absolutely lower. I’m not going to sit here and lie and say we can be as good as we were with Jimmy, there’s no way.”

But if their spirited come-from-behind 101-97 win over the Phoenix Suns, mere hours after one of the roughest trade deadlines in recent memory, both emotionally and broadly, is an indication of how they’re attacking the final 30-something games of the season, they’ll go down swinging.

Because in some ways, Porzingis’s intriguing upside does provide some hope. And the leaps of fan-favorites like Gui Santos, Pat Spencer, and Moses Moody have been significant. Those three had their fingerprints all over the 16-2 run to shock the Suns. And sure, the Stephen Curry show will always be a must-watch. While sidelined with runner’s knee currently, the euphoria and joy Curry exuded after the Warriors’ gutsy win show he’s as locked in as ever with this team.

There’s honor in fighting bravely as the ship goes down. For as bleak as it seemed in the immediate wake of the trade deadline, the Warriors showed they don’t have to go meekly into their impending purgatory.

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For one, the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation has many around the NBA puzzled after the trade deadline. Did the Bucks even intend on trading Giannis, or were they trying to get information from teams?

Those who were pursuing Antetokounmpo either pivoted to other, lesser moves before the trade deadline, or they sat back and did no make any moves in hopes of another chance to pursue Giannis coming in the summer.

Either way, teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat were left in the dark with realistically no shot at landing Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline.

Outside of all the trade drama surrounding Giannis in the last month, other situations around the league, including Ja Morant’s with the Memphis Grizzlies, were left unsolved.

Every organization has their own agenda, and sometimes that does not always align with the thought process of the media and fans. However, there are clear losers of the NBA trade deadline this year, and none bigger than the Heat.

Miami Heat

What is the plan in South Beach? Bam Adebayo is now 28 years old and not getting any younger, and it seems like the Heat have wasted their last couple of seasons by being nothing more than a play-in team.

Once again, the Heat are on a collision course with the play-in tournament, as they were the only team in the East not to make any moves at the trade deadline. Obviously, the Heat put all their eggs in the Giannis basket and thought they had a clear shot at getting him, but the fact of the matter is that the Bucks never once negotiated with teams and presented counteroffers.

That is why all the teams who were discussing the possibility of a Giannis trade with the Bucks indicated that Milwaukee was never true to their intentions to trade the two-time MVP.

Miami struck out at this trade deadline, failing to add any talent that could help them both this season and become a possible title contender next. Now, the Heat are staring down what will be a very unpredictable offseason for them.

Norman Powell will be a free agent, Tyler Herro’s extension talks will only get louder, and the expiring money from the contracts of Terry Rozier and Simone Fontecchio was not used in any trade for an upgrade.

There is still a lot of work to do for the Heat to be taken seriously in the East.

Not just the Heat, but all Giannis Antetokounmpo suitors

The Heat will obviously receive a lot of backlash for their failed pursuit of Giannis and not making any moves to improve their immediate outlook. However, Miami, along with the other teams that thought they had a great chance to land Giannis, ended up being huge losers at the NBA trade deadline for several reasons.

Not only is Giannis staying in Milwaukee, but now all the information they gave to the Bucks about their players and assets could come back to hurt them.

The Warriors and Timberwolves were two other teams pursuing Antetokounmpo, so how will their personnel react to the fact that they were included in these negotiations? Will either organization now deal with any toxic environments from players knowing they were going to be traded for Giannis?

Also, the Bucks can now take all of this information that they have on said teams into the offseason and use it to their advantage in future talks about Giannis or in other trade discussions for different players. It never hurts to get information about your competitors, and that is exactly what the Bucks have now.

Teams dreamed about pursuing Giannis at the trade deadline, and instead, they are left not knowing what direction to go now.

Golden State Warriors fans

Ever since Kevin Durant left the Warriors in 2019, this organization and owner Joe Lacob have dreamed of pursuing Giannis. The Warriors made a very compelling offer focused on several draft picks through 2032, and this did raise the Bucks’ eyebrows a little bit. However, Milwaukee was never going to trade Giannis, and Golden State’s players in their package weren’t going to get a deal done, no matter what.

Warriors fans may have a little bit of déjà vu after the same thing happened last season with trade talks for Kevin Durant falling through. The only difference is back then, the Dubs pivoted and got a deal done for another All-Star — Jimmy Butler.

This year, the Warriors couldn’t pivot to another big name not only because there weren’t any available that made sense to trade for, but also because this organization wasn’t willing to pay the asking prices around the league.

Jaren Jackson Jr. got traded to the Utah Jazz for three first-round picks, and that’s a price the Warriors would not meet. Trey Murphy III was not going to be on the move from the New Orleans Pelicans, especially with that organization asking for at least three first-round picks.

With Butler out for the season, landing another star to pair with Stephen Curry is what Warriors fans had hoped for to try and make more title pushes at the end of Curry’s career. Well, the Warriors pivoted to Option C before the deadline, finally trading Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield for Kristaps Porzingis.

Is this enough for the Warriors? Porzingis can obviously help the Warriors get to and compete in the playoffs, if healthy, but the fact of the matter is that this is another year where Golden State doesn’t appear to have a shot at competing at the top of the West with the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and other teams vying for a championship.

Since the offseason, fans of this team had been hoping to land a big name utilizing draft picks and Kuminga’s contract. After the deadline, Kuminga is now gone, no new star is on the roster, and Porzingis’ health problems loom large over his chances of making an impact before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Ja Morant

It is no secret to anyone that Ja Morant’s relationship with the Memphis Grizzlies‘ front office and head coach Tuomas Iisalo is beyond repair. Morant may love playing in Memphis and for the Grizzlies’ fans, but it’s clear he will be traded in the offseason after the team failed to find a trade for him right now before the NBA trade deadline.

To make matters worse for Morant, he now finds himself in a tough position. The Grizzlies are rebuilding, and he knows he won’t be a part of that future with these young talents, so where does everyone go from here?

Do the Grizzlies shut down Morant for the rest of the season? Will Morant even let the team bench him for the next two months?

If we know anything about Ja, it’s that he loves to play. Now that he is staying in Memphis, for now, he will not want to sit out games and help the Grizzlies tank for draft position.

This is going to spiral into a toxic situation really quickly, especially after Memphis traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, who was one of Morant’s closest friends.

Sacramento Kings

Compared to other teams around the league, at least there is some sort of vision for the Sacramento Kings. Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford are two young, promising-looking talents, and De’Andre Hunter is a key veteran who can help bridge some gaps on the wing.

However, the main reason the Kings find themselves as losers of this trade deadline cycle is that they once again could not find any trades for Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk. Also, their trade discussions with the Toronto Raptors surrounding Domantas Sabonis never gained significant traction since Sacramento was unwilling to take on Jakob Poeltl’s contract.

Perhaps this will all be revisited in the offseason, and the Kings will get the exact trade they want from Toronto or someone else for Sabonis, but LaVine and DeRozan basically hold negative value at this point and will be forced to finish their contracts with the Kings unless bought out, which does not appear likely.

This organization still needs to find a way to stockpile young assets and draft picks, but there is no path forward for them to do so with the players on their roster. Signing Dennis Schroder this past offseason turned out to be a swing and a miss by the Kings, and now it appears as if it will take them several years to be where they envision.

It is crazy to think that just a few years ago, this franchise looked to be one of the most promising in the entire league with De’Aaron Fox leading the way. That goes to show how quickly things can fall apart for teams in the NBA.

The post 2026 NBA trade deadline: Heat, all Giannis Antetokounmpo suitors among biggest losers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, NBA analyst Zach Lowe revisited the idea of Orlando as a team positioned to feel the ripple effects of Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee, while also reviving a trade concept he has floated previously involving Paolo Banchero.

“Can we go back to Orlando. They’re 25 and 24 and some of their losses have been recently, like the funk level hovering over there team is at DEFCON Two level funk at this point and obviously they’re waiting for Franz to come back and crossing their fingers that Franz, who is I think their best player, ties everything together.”

Lowe suggested that Orlando’s direction could be far from settled if the current season does not turn around.

“I think their roster is going to look, there team could look very different next year, coach, roster, everything if they don’t turn this around. I’m trying to think what are the teams that feel like they’ve lost because the Giannis thing got kicked to the summer, and what are the teams that won because the Giannis thing got kicked to the summer. And I want to include Orlando on the latter list because you know that the Paolo and a bunch of stuff for Giannis is one of my favorite fake trades, but the Magic don’t have a bunch of stuff anymore and the bloom is off the rose for Paolo.”

Paolo Banchero remains focal point as Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talk swirls for Magic

The Magic’s asset situation has changed dramatically over the past year. Orlando surrendered four first-round picks in a blockbuster deal to acquire Desmond Bane, a move that strengthened the roster but limited future flexibility. Lowe noted that had Antetokounmpo been formally available at the deadline, those assets could have been deployed differently.

For now, Banchero remains the focal point in Orlando. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 21.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 29.7% from three-point range across 40 games, logging 34.3 minutes per contest. He helped lead the Magic to a 118-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night, improving the team to 26-24 and seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.

Banchero is also tied to Orlando financially for the long term. He is earning approximately $41.5 million this season after signing a five-year, $239 million maximum rookie extension that could rise to $287 million if he earns All-NBA honors. The deal includes a player option for the 2030-31 season, making him one of the league’s most significant long-term commitments.

Giannis remains with Bucks, setting stage for potential summer talks

Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, remained with Milwaukee despite heightened speculation linking him to teams such as the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the deadline. The 31-year-old two-time MVP and former Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting career highs of 64.5% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range across 30 games, playing 29.2 minutes per contest. Despite his production, the Bucks sit at 20-29, 12th in the Eastern Conference.

Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season as part of a three-year, $175.3 million contract that includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. His contract structure and age make any potential offseason move complex but not implausible.

Lowe has acknowledged that the framework involving Banchero and Antetokounmpo is not new, having previously raised the idea earlier in the season. With Milwaukee opting to delay any franchise-altering decisions until the summer, Orlando could find itself among the teams most affected by that timeline.

Whether the Magic ultimately pivot toward a dramatic roster reshaping remains to be seen, but as Lowe noted, Antetokounmpo’s name is unlikely to disappear from offseason trade conversations — and Orlando’s trajectory could be closely tied to how those discussions unfold.

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No, there was no Luka Doncic-esque trade this season, but 26 total trades were made before this season’s deadline, including 11 former All-Stars being on the move.

Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson Jr., James Harden, Darius Garland, and Trae Young are among the biggest names who now find themselves in new homes, but several other notable players like Ivica Zubac, Jared McCain, Bennedict Mathurin, Coby White, and Jose Alvarado were traded as well.

Overall, this was a very active trade deadline, but it was a selective one at that for all 30 NBA franchises.

Unlike previous years, where teams look to make additions to immediately help their playoff chances, this trade deadline period almost felt like NBA free agency months before the actual free agency period begins. Teams are now looking ahead to the future, and many front offices are extremely aware of all the tax and apron rules that are thrown at them.

With some teams cutting cap numbers and trying to dip below certain tax marks, others are using the trade deadline as an opportunity to springboard and escalate their success. Just look at the Utah Jazz landing Jackson Jr., the Washington Wizards adding two All-Stars in Davis and Young, and the Indiana Pacers pulling off a stunning move for Zubac.

Before we dive into the clear winners of the trade deadline, there are four teams we want to shine a light on as honorable mentions.

The Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers are basically tied together, as these two teams came together to make the Zubac trade hours before the deadline passed, and they each came out as big winners. Although Tyrese Haliburton won’t be back on the floor until the 2026-27 season begins, the Pacers now have their center of the future, one on a very team-friendly contract, who can help get this team back in contention for the NBA Finals.

Out in Los Angeles, well technically Inglewood, the Clippers finally have a clear path forward in the post-whatever-you-want-to-call-the-Kawhi Leonard-James Harden era. Steve Ballmer’s team now has a decent amount of draft capital, they added two young, dynamic players in Garland and Mathurin, and this team can attack free agency hard over the next couple of years.

Shoutouts are also in order for the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics for what they accomplished at the trade deadline. Both teams took a very analytical approach, achieving their goals, starting with the Knicks finally being able to move Guerschon Yabusele for Jose Alvarado, a player they have been targeting since December.

While the Knicks struggled to find a trade partner for Yabusele and were even denied trying to trade him straight up for Alvarado with the New Orleans Pelicans, Leon Rose and New York’s front office were creative by restructuring his contract to void Yabusele’s second-year player option. This led to the Knicks trading him to the Chicago Bulls for Dalen Terry, a player on an expiring salary, who was then flipped to the Pelicans with two second-round picks for Alvarado.

Chef’s kiss on this trade and the work by the Knicks’ front office.

As for the Celtics, they had been cutting tax dollars since the offseason, and after beginning the summer as a second-apron team, Boston will finish this season under the luxury tax. Most importantly, even though the Celtics traded Anfernee Simons, they got a key center in Nikola Vucevic and did not have to move any of their essential talents in the process.

All four of these teams did a fantastic job of bettering their outlook, both for the immediate and long-term futures, but here are the biggest winners of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

Wizards, Anthony Davis

The job Will Dawkins and Michael Winger have done completely reinventing the Washington Wizards roster and long-term outlook is remarkable. Just a few seasons ago, this team was living at the bottom of the league standings, and they were the laughing stock of the league.

Now, the Wizards have a plethora of young, athletic players, Trae Young will be their point guard next season, and Anthony Davis will be the perfect mentor for Alex Sarr. Oh, and if you are not aware, the Wizards could end up with the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

It won’t be long until the Wizards are back in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and this organization’s ability to pinpoint opportunities to buy low on superstar-like talents is why they are one of the biggest winners of the NBA trade deadline this season.

A total of 14 All-Star appearances are arriving to this organization by way of Young and Davis, which will help set the standard for Wizards basketball moving forward. What’s even better is that the Wizards basically got Young and Davis for free.

Although the Wizards valued Corey Kispert’s production, he was the only real asset given up for Young. Then, for Davis, the Wizards only sacrificed expiring contracts, players not in their rotation, and two first-round picks that are not valuable to them whatsoever.

Washington surrendered the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round pick, which will likely be the 30th overall selection, and then they traded the Golden State Warriors’ 2030 first-round pick that is protected 1-20. Basically, they gave up two picks of little value for one of the NBA’s top 75 players of all time.

That’s a pretty good deal if you ask me.

This NBA trade deadline presented no risk to the Wizards, and they can move forward with two stars happy to be with a new franchise and can clear the air on their respective careers.

At the cost of nickels and pennies, the Wizards came away with a lot of value at the trade deadline.

Jon Horst and the Bucks

Everyone who thought Giannis Antetokounmpo would be traded was bamboozled. The Milwaukee Bucks never seemed to have any intention of trading Giannis at this deadline, and while they did listen to offers coming their way, teams were left knowing Antetokounmpo truly wasn’t available.

Although Jon Horst and the Bucks still face an uphill slope attempting to reinvent this roster and build a championship contender around Giannis, the key takeaway for them from the NBA trade deadline is that Giannis is still on the team and has not ever requested a trade.

The biggest takeaway from the deadline for the Bucks is that they have gathered a lot of intel from rival teams.

Giannis was drawing significant interest from teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat before the deadline, and now the Bucks can take all this information about what they were being offered and what those teams thought about their own assets into the offseason.

Whether or not the Bucks ever truly look to trade Giannis will depend on their ability to build this roster into something special and him actually requesting a trade. This summer, the Bucks will be aggressive in their pursuit of talent, and they could retain their first-round pick to add a young, dynamic player at the top of the draft.

As long as Giannis is in a Bucks uniform, this organization will have a chance to build something special.

James Harden

James Harden is now on his fifth team in the last six seasons after being traded from the Clippers to the Cavs. Will this be Harden’s final stop before retirement?

Nobody really knows, but the main reason why he’s happy going to Cleveland is that he can opt out of his contract in the offseason and get a new two-year deal at the price he wants. Not to mention, he goes from a Clippers team that wasn’t going anywhere in the West to joining Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley on a Cavs team with serious title aspirations.

Cleveland was very busy at the trade deadline, cutting some costs and adding talent around their stars, which sets this team up to pursue LeBron James and other superstars in the offseason, should they choose to do so. Perhaps they could even get in the mix for Giannis should the Bucks “entertain” trade offers for him again.

Although Harden is not known for his defense, his offensive skills will elevate the Cavs more than Garland could. He will also take a lot of pressure off Mitchell to have to do everything for this offense, which should help this team remain off the injury report heading into the postseason.

Harden finds himself in a position to contend for a championship at the end of his career, which is his ultimate goal.

Anyone who traded with the Bulls

What are the Chicago Bulls doing? It seems like the Bulls keep trading their players well past their value expires, and as a result, this team is left gathering scraps for really good players.

Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, Dalen Terry, and Julian Phillips were all moved by the Bulls at the deadline. All Chicago got back was nine second-round picks, extra cash, and too many guards who can’t all play together.

Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, Collin Sexton, and Rob Dillingham are all good players, but how can the Bulls possibly think they can fit in alongside Josh Giddey and Tre Jones? Half of the players on this roster are guards, and the Bulls got ZERO first-round picks for any of their players.

On the other side of things, every team that traded with the Bulls got better.

The Celtics are real title threats after adding a former All-Star in Vucevic at center. The Detroit Pistons have furthered their championship aspirations with a big sharpshooter in Huerter. The Timberwolves, who were in dire need of backcourt help, get a dynamic, athletic two-way guard in Dosunmu. And then the Charlotte Hornets added arguably Chicago’s best scorer, White, for future second-round picks that will be used on kids who are either currently freshmen in high school or in eighth grade.

Every single team that made a trade with the Bulls came away with exactly what they wanted, and they did so by sacrificing little value.

The Bulls may have a lot of cap space in the summer, but there’s no denying that they have no clear path in front of them to be competitive anytime soon.

Sam Presti… Again

Once again, the rich are richer after the NBA trade deadline. Nobody ever knows what the Oklahoma City Thunder have planned since Sam Presti moves in silence and in the shadows, yet they always come away from everything they do as major winners.

This was true in their championship run last year, it was true during the 2025 NBA Draft, and now it’s true after the trade deadline.

The Thunder traded Ousmane Dieng, four second-round picks, and a 2026 first-round pick for Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers, a player who was in contention for Rookie of the Year last season before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Second-round picks are irrelevant to Presti, especially since the Thunder are tied for the most first-round picks in the league over the next several years, and the 2026 pick that was sent to Philadelphia was the Houston Rockets’ pick. If the draft were today, that pick would be the 23rd overall selection, so the Thunder basically gave up little to no value for a guy who can immediately contribute to their championship goals.

Now that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out indefinitely with an abdominal injury, McCain will receive clear playing time for the defending champions.

Somehow, some way, every team in the league keeps getting fleeced by Presti and his magic.

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At least one analyst thinks that Antetokounmpo should have forced his way out of the Bucks. Bill Simmons said that the Greek star might end up regretting his decision to not request a trade. Simmons cited Kevin Garnett’s scenario in the early 2000s as a reason why Giannis should have asked for a trade.

“They had to trade him and yet they didn’t have to trade him because it made more sense for them as a franchise to wait till this summer when more teams can be in it,” Simmons said on his podcast. “But it didn’t make more sense for him to wait. I just don’t get it. If I were him I would’ve talked to a bunch of older retired stars that were in fairly similar situations to this. Including KG, I would’ve called KG. Be like, ‘Hey KG, if you had to do that over again, would you have waited until the summer of 2007 to really kind of open the door to a trade? Or would you have done that a year or two sooner?’ Guess what KG would’ve said? I would’ve done that as soon as I knew I had no future with that team.”

Now, the analogy isn’t picture-perfect. Part of Garnett’s frustration with the Timberwolves before asking for a trade was due to their lack of success in the playoffs. While the Bucks have been dreadful over the last few years, they also have the championship from 2021 to hang their hats on. That championship has likely been a reason why Antetokounmpo hasn’t requested a trade outright: he isn’t chasing his first ring desperately like Garnett was.

Still, Antetokounmpo has long said that he would stay on the Bucks as long as they were competitive. This season, the Bucks are far from that. They sit at a 20-29 record and will more than likely miss the playoffs. In their best-case scenario, they make it to the Play-In Tournament, but either lose there or get squashed in the first round. That’s not a competitive team by any means.

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Antetokounmpo has been constantly seeing his name in trade rumors, presenting the scenario of his long tenure with the Bucks coming to an end. Considering that Milwaukee hasn’t been successful since the title run in 2021, it was plausible to think that he would want a change of scenery to return to the championship heights.

However, NBA insider Brett Siegel provided intriguing insight into the situation during his Feb. 5 appearance on Clutch Scoops. He noted how the franchise didn’t have interest in moving him ahead of the deadline, believing that it will only happen if Antetokounmpo ultimately wants out.

“The Bucks weren’t really interested in moving him… That’s why the Warriors quickly pivoted… They just wanted to see what the value was out there. They wanted to see what teams are willing to give up… It doesn’t seem like he’s gonna ask out… There were never any real indications that he was going to be traded… Until he actually asks out… They are not going to trade him,” Siegel said.

What’s next for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

It’s clear that the Bucks will try to hold onto Giannis Antetokounmpo for as long as possible. Until he decides to be the one to demand a trade, Milwaukee will continue to control his future as the franchise star.

Despite earning an All-Star selection, Antetokounmpo won’t be available for the festivities. He is recovering from a calf strain that has sidelined him since Jan. 23 as Milwaukee will be very cautious about his recovery process. In the 30 games he took part in so far, he is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game this season.

Milwaukee has a 20-29 record on the season, sitting in 12th place of the Eastern Conference standings. They are seven games above the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards. However, they trail the Charlotte Hornets by two games and the Chicago Bulls by three games.

The Bucks will move on after the deadline and gear up for preparations for their upcoming matchup. They conclude a three-game homestand as they host the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 6 at 8 pm ET.

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A little over 30 minutes after the deadline passed, Antetokounmpo delivered a clear message confirming he was staying with the Bucks. Following days of intense trade speculation, the franchise cornerstone addressed the noise directly with a post that quickly went viral.

Speculation had intensified leading into Thursday, with several contenders monitoring the Greek Freak’s availability. The Bucks, however, consistently signaled they had no intention of moving their two-time MVP unless presented with an overwhelming offer—one that ultimately never materialized.

Exactly 32 minutes after the deadline officially closed, Antetokounmpo spoke for himself. The longtime Bucks forward took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and shared an iconic clip from The Wolf of Wall Street, a move that immediately signaled his commitment to Milwaukee and shut down any remaining uncertainty.

“Legends don’t chase. They attract ”

Legends don’t chase. They attract pic.twitter.com/62r1jg93vt

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) February 5, 2026

The video features Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort declaring, “I’m not leaving,” a moment widely understood as a statement of defiance. Antetokounmpo’s timing left little room for interpretation, confirming no trade had been submitted before the deadline.

By that point, rumored suitors around the league had already pivoted. Teams previously linked to Antetokounmpo shifted their focus elsewhere once it became clear Milwaukee would not engage in negotiations.

The post also carried a philosophical undertone. Rather than pursuing success elsewhere, the 13-year veteran framed his approach as building and attracting greatness within his current situation. The message resonated immediately with fans and players across the league.

For Milwaukee, the moment brought clarity. Retaining the 31-year-old international star commits the organization to aggressively surrounding him with competitive talent rather than entertaining the possibility of a rebuild.

While future contract discussions may eventually reignite speculation, Antetokounmpo’s message was unmistakable for now. He is staying with the Bucks—and he made sure the entire league knew it.

The post Bucks star Giannis’ 5-word ‘legends’ mic drop alongside Wolf of Wall Street meme after deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Thomas is a prolific scorer, but he was not happy in Brooklyn. According to ClutchPoints Nets reporter Erik Slater, Thomas turned down multiple contract offers from the Nets. If money was not the concern for Thomas, then it’s expected that he would want to join a team on a much better path than the Nets, who are far from competing for a championship.

Thomas appeared in only 24 games for the Nets this season, averaging 15.6 points per game. Last season, Thomas averaged 24 points per game in only 25 games before an injury. In 2023, he averaged 22.3 points and appeared in 66 games. There is no doubt that Thomas can score the rock when healthy.

The Nets sidelined Thomas to not risk an injury, and the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers showed interest in the shooting guard. Ultimately, both teams decided to take a chance on the open market. Likely, both the Bucks and Cavs are still interested in Thomas, and there could be a few others as well.

Let’s take a look at the three best destinations for the former first-round pick, in no order.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are the most confusing team in the NBA right now. The Giannis Antetokounmpo drama has taken over the league, but the Bucks decided to keep the superstar in Milwaukee for the rest of the season. At this point, nobody knows if he will ever be traded.

Rumors have surfaced that Antetokounmpo will be shut down for the rest of the season. If that is the case, then Thomas could come in and be a major scoring threat for the Bucks. Even if Giannis continues to play this season, the Bucks can make the playoffs, but they need to turn things around. Thomas can help with that. The Bucks are currently three games back of a Play-In spot.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics need a guard after trading away Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls. As of right now, the Celtics have Derrick White and Payton Pritchard as the two main guards, with Jaylen Brown playing the three. Joe Mazzulla sent Pritchard back to the bench, where he excels as a much better scoring threat. Cam Thomas, alongside Pritchard off the bench, would be huge for this team. Jayson Tatum is aiming to make his return to the floor, which would give this team a chance to win another NBA Finals.

The Celtics cannot trust Hugo Gonzales, Baylor Scheierman, and Ron Harper Jr. to be called upon to be a consistent scorer off the bench. Thomas would be a huge upgrade.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have reshaped the roster after trading away Darius Garland for James Harden. Thomas could come to The Land and be a big part of the revamp of the team. The Cavs are playing very well right now and have room for a guard on the roster. Jaylon Tyson has balled out this season, averaging 14.0 points per game, but he will remain a huge part of the team’s success. With Sam Merrill healthy, the Cavs could form a dominant bench with three legit threats. Adding Thomas would give them a ton of depth as they try to work their way back to the Finals.

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Charania is going to play in the Celebrity All-Star Game and is on the team that Antetokounmpo is coaching. On Thursday, shortly after the deadline passed, the Bucks posted a video of head coach Doc Rivers claiming that the 31-year-old forward/center plans to put Shams Charania on the trade block.

“You guys want a Giannis update?” asked Rivers. “I was just talking about, you know, he’s gonna coach the Celebrity Game… He did inform me that he’s going to put Shams on the trading block today. And he’s just going to listen to offers.”

Just In: Conversations have started about @ShamsCharania’s future, and discussing whether the ESPN Senior NBA Insider’s best fit is staying on Giannis’ All-Star Celebrity team or elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/IS6XMlQSPf

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 5, 2026

It’s a nice little jab for the rumor-filled season, as the Bucks were constantly suggested to be trading Giannis Antetokounmpo. Instead, the soon-to-be 10-time All-Star will remain in Milwaukee for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The Bucks aren’t the only ones poking fun at Shams Charania. NBA fans jumped on social media to roast the longtime NBA Insider after nothing came to fruition at the trade deadline. With Antetokounmpo in the first season of his three-year contract worth just over $175 million (Year 3 is a player-option), it appears Antetokounmpo isn’t going anywhere for now.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently dealing with a calf injury, and many expect him to return to action by late February or early March. So, it’s unlikely he plays in the All-Star Game. However, when healthy, the 13-year veteran has remained as efficient as ever. Through 30 games played, Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 64.5% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc.

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One of those moves was a trade with the Phoenix Suns.

“The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to trade Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, sources tell ESPN,” reported NBA insider Shams Charania on X, formerly Twitter.

Let’s take a look at how both sides fared in the deal.

Milwaukee Bucks trade grade

By making this move, the Bucks have added another solid center to their rotation, the former Charlotte Hornets big man who now figures to back up Myles Turner.

Anthony hadn’t contributed much in Milwaukee this year, so the Bucks won’t be missing a lot of production in their backcourt in the wake of this move.

The big question for Milwaukee moving forward will be whether the team will opt to shut Antetokounmpo down for the rest of the year in hopes of improving their NBA Draft lottery odds. Antetokounmpo is currently out of the lineup due to a calf injury, which has become a big problem for him in recent years.

All told, however, the Bucks did well to add a serviceable rotation player for a low price.

Grade: A

Phoenix Suns trade grade

The primary incentive for the Phoenix Suns in this deal appears to have been to get under the next tax apron, which they were able to do by shedding the salaries of Richards and Hayes-Davis.

They will also add a player in Anthony who has been quiet for the Bucks this year, but had some moments as an explosive microwave scorer during his days with the Orlando Magic. This will be especially important for the Suns considering that injuries have been a problem for both Devin Booker and Jalen Green so far this year.

While this trade isn’t necessarily a needle-mover, overall, the Suns were able to help themselves out financially at a relatively low cost.

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Thomas’ Nets future had been in question since the offseason, when he failed to reach a contract extension and signed his $6 million qualifying offer. The fifth-year guard reportedly turned down a two-year, $30 million contract featuring a team option. He also turned down a one-year, $9.5 million deal, which would have required him to waive his no-trade clause.

With his no-trade clause still intact, Thomas would have had to agree to any trade before Thursday’s 3PM deadline.

Cam Thomas set to hit free agency after being waived by Nets at trade deadline

Thomas flashed elite scoring ability throughout his Nets tenure, averaging 21.4 points on .434/.353/.860 shooting splits over the last three seasons. However, his defensive struggles and playmaking limitations prevented Brooklyn from making a long-term commitment to him.

Thomas has averaged 3.1 assists per game over the last three seasons despite ranking towards the top of the NBA in usage rate. The Nets’ defense was 6.7 points worse per 100 possessions during his minutes this season, the ninth-worst mark among 85 guards who have played over 500 minutes, per CleaningTheGlass.

Brooklyn’s most successful stretch this season came after Thomas was sidelined by a hamstring injury, his fourth of the last year. The Nets started 0-7 with the NBA’s worst defensive rating with Thomas as a starter. However, they posted a 9-12 record with the NBA’s sixth-best defense following his hamstring injury.

Thomas moved to Brooklyn’s bench upon his return. He averaged 12.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 30.6 percent from three over his last 16 appearances.

The former first-round pick will now canvass the market for his next opportunity. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks have expressed interest in Thomas over the last week.

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On Thursday, it was reported that Ousmane Dieng will be sent to the Bucks and that Nick Richards is coming from the Suns to the Bulls, per Shams Charania of ESPN on X, formerly Twitter. Originally, Dieng came to Chicago as part of the three-team exchange with the Charlotte Hornets and OKC Thunder. A deal that sent Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. to Charlotte.

This move is part of the Bulls’ effort to acquire a big man after trading away Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round draft pick.

The Bucks made this move with the Suns in part to refute any speculation that they were looking to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Richards, 28, is a 6-foot-11 center who’s in his sixth NBA season. In 2020, he was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans out of Kentucky. Ultimately, he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets and played five seasons.

Last January, Richards was sent to the Suns. In his first game, he scored 21 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and shot 7-for-8 from the field.

This year, he’s played in 28 games and is shooting 49.3% from the field. Overall, Richards is known for being an effective rim runner, rebounder, and shot blocker.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are now lacking in size and presence in the paint. Aside from Vucevic, Zach Collins is still out with a lingering toe injury.

The post Bulls hope in Bucks-Suns trade to land a center appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With about two hours to go until the NBA trade deadline passes, the Bucks social media team posted a single yawning emoji amid the Giannis Antetokounmpo news.

The Bucks social media team posted a yawn emoji with less than 3 hours until the NBA trade deadline pic.twitter.com/Bhb6UoiATL

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 5, 2026

In the days leading up to the deadline, Giannis continued to affirm his desire to remain with Bucks, under the condition that they continue trying to mold the roster into a contending team. Ever since the Bucks made a run to the NBA Finals in 2021, winning the title in the process, they have not been able to regain that form amid Antetokounmpo entering his prime years.

Presently, Antetokounmpo is sidelined due to a calf injury. The timetable for his return to the court is not clear, and he presumably will miss the 2026 All-Star Game in which he was voted in as a starter. The No. 15 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Antetokounmpo still has one more year left on his current contract before he can opt out of his deal in the 2027 offseason.

He’s been limited to only 30 games this season due to injury, at a little over 29 minutes per game. He’s been averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists with splits of 64.5 percent shooting from the field, 39.5 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 65.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

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Not only were some teams expecting Antetokounmpo to get moved, but fans around the world were anticipating where the Bucks’ star would find himself before the deadline.

That has led them to share their thoughts on social media.

“The Bucks are that couple that stop getting invited out because they’re constantly breaking up and getting back together for the sake of the drama,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“The Bucks clinging to Giannis while the roster collapses around him is pure delusion. They’re wasting his prime on desperate fringe moves instead of blowing it up when his value was at its peak,” another user wrote.

Some fans are fed up with the constant rumors that flooded their timeline for the past few weeks.

“After today don’t want to hear about Giannis/Bucks rumours again,” one user wrote.

“I’m begging the Bucks and Giannis to just stop. No more leaks, rumors, anything. Enough,” another user wrote.

The Bucks can now focus on finishing out the rest of the season, and there could still be moves that they plan on making before the deadline officially passes. It’s also uncertain if Antetokounmpo will be shut down for the rest of the season or if he plays once he’s healthy.

Once the season is officially over, the rumors and trade talks will be back in full effect, and they may be louder than they were this time around.

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However, the Grizzlies are struggling to generate a real market for Morant, as those with interest have not been willing to offer up a first-round pick in discussions, league sources told ClutchPoints. General manager Zach Kleiman and the Grizzlies’ brass are ready to move on from Morant before the trade deadline if they can salvage a first-round pick.

To this point, teams have been viewing Morant in the same category as Trae Young, who was moved by the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. No draft picks were involved in the Young trade, which is the same ideology teams are operating with when approaching the Grizzlies for Morant.

In the days leading up to the NBA trade deadline, the Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, and Milwaukee Bucks have all called the Grizzlies to discuss a Morant trade, sources said. While all three teams hold a level of interest in the two-time All-Star, each scenario presents different complications.

Morant and his camp hold zero interest in being traded to the Kings, ClutchPoints’ Tomer Azarly reported on Wednesday. Sacramento would only entertain such a trade if it were able to essentially swap Zach LaVine for the All-Star guard. But there is serious pushback in Sacramento to such a move, especially with Morant signaling that he holds no interest in playing for the organization.

Potential news of the Kings trading for Morant would come as a shock to many around the league.

The Heat have long been linked to Morant, and they have been labeled by league sources as his preferred landing spot. With all indications from the Bucks earlier in the week being that they would hold onto Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat began pivoting to other potential options before the trade deadline, including Morant.

Even though there is a level of interest in trading for Morant, the Heat do not want to give up anything more than expiring contracts and second-round assets. Miami will not be offering a first-round pick for Morant, sources said, especially now that they can attempt to renew Giannis trade talks in the summer.

That leaves the Bucks, who made it clear Giannis would not be traded earlier in the week and made their intentions to keep him clear to the league on Thursday. Morant has been linked to the Bucks in a potential buy-low spot using the contracts of Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis, but there are obstacles in their pursuit as well.

Milwaukee owns no future second-round picks, and it would take getting at least one other team involved to land Morant. That is why league personnel no longer view the Bucks as a real destination for Morant.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Grizzlies have no path to getting real value for Morant, which is why they will likely hold onto the disgruntled superstar into the offseason.

The post Sources: Grizzlies receiving no value in Ja Morant trade discussions appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Over the last few weeks, Charania had posted several times on X, formerly Twitter, about the Bucks’ reported openness to trade their disgruntled former league MVP, and now that nothing came to pass on that front, fans in the comment section were having a field day at the ESPN reporter’s expense.

“So all them tweets were for nothing? bring back Woj,” wrote one fan, referring to former ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.

“How bad did this hurt you to tweet? You’ve been pushing a Giannis trade for years lmao,” joked another.

Meanwhile, fans of the Bucks were reveling in the chaos.

COME OUTSIDE CLOWN pic.twitter.com/OTIKrO3QeH

— Bucks Lead (@BucksLead) February 5, 2026

Indeed, it wasn’t the finest hour for Charania, who had seemed to indicate on several occasions in recent weeks that a trade was all but inevitable on the Antetokounmpo front.

Now, fans are wondering what comes next for the Bucks, as Antetokounmpo is currently injured with a calf strain, although the team hasn’t necessarily been very impressive even when he’s been on the floor.

The Bucks would currently be out of the postseason altogether if the season ended today, and there is some speculation that they could opt to sit Antetokounmpo out for the rest of the year in hopes of securing a good draft pick, although they will be receiving the lesser of their own selection and that of the New Orleans Pelicans.

It’s also possible that the Bucks are simply waiting until the summer to trade their star, when teams will be able to make more lucrative offers.

In any case, Charania might be more hesitant in the future about the posts he puts out.

The post Bucks fans roast Shams Charania after Giannis Antetokounmpo nothing burger appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now, Antetokounmpo himself has taken to social media to seemingly confirm the news, posting a picture of himself in a Bucks uniform on his Instagram story with a “proceed with caution” sign.

Giannis' IG story following the news that the Bucks will not trade him before today's NBA trade deadline pic.twitter.com/2fP9jMiH52

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 5, 2026

The Bucks have been a trainwreck so far in 2025-26, currently sitting below the postseason line in the lowly Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo has suffered numerous injury setbacks this year, including a calf ailment that currently has him sidelined.

In fact, on Thursday, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst wondered on “First Take” if the Bucks might consider shutting down Antetokounmpo for the rest of the year if they did end up keeping him past the deadline, in hopes of improving their draft position in 2026.

While Milwaukee will get the lesser of their own pick and the New Orleans Pelicans’, which will be on its way to the Atlanta Hawks, the team still has a solid chance of being able to add an elite young talent in June if they continue losing for the rest of this season.

At this point, there is no timetable for when Antetokounmpo will be cleared to return from the injury, and if this latest development is the Bucks committing to him long term, or simply delaying a potential trade until the summer.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo posts IG Story confirming no Bucks trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to trade Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

All of the players involved in the trade are on expiring contracts, and the Bucks now have depth at the forward and center positions for the rest of the season. For the Suns, they get under the tax, which is what they wanted to accomplish at the deadline. This doesn’t seem to be the only move the Bucks plan on making before the deadline, and expect them to be similar to the one with the Suns.

“Over the last week, the Bucks have been focused on incoming calls for Giannis Antetokounmpo and canvassing the NBA for small salary trades. Milwaukee remains in talks to complete potentially more of the latter here on deadline day,” Charania wrote.

For over a week, the Bucks have been listening to calls for Antetokounmpo as teams have tried to put together packages to acquire the star player. In the end, it seems as if the Bucks weren’t really trying to trade him before the deadline, and they’ll most likely wait until after the season to get a deal done.

Antetokounmpo did note in one of his latest interviews that if the Bucks could convince him that they can make moves to improve the team for next season, he could see himself staying. If they’re able to make the right moves between now and the offseason to land another star such as Ja Morant, there’s a chance that Antetokounmpo buys in and sticks with the team where he’s been his entire career.

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“The Milwaukee Bucks have indicated to teams that they are keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline and will start making other trades, sources tell ESPN,” reported Shams Charania of ESPN on X, formerly Twitter.

It’s certainly an interesting decision for a Milwaukee team that currently has virtually no chance of competing in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference given their roster construction. As previously mentioned, Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined due to an injury, and it’s certainly worth considering whether sitting him down for the rest of the year might be in Milwaukee’s best interest, if they do end up keeping him past Thursday’s trade deadline.

If the Bucks were to tank this year, they could end up with a valuable draft pick next spring, even though they’ll be getting the less favorable selection of their own pick and that of the New Orleans Pelicans, which will be on its way to the Atlanta Hawks.

However, the idea of adding a blue-chip prospect to pair alongside Antetokounmpo might be enough to convince the Greek Freak to stay. The Bucks could also wait until the summer, when teams might be able to make more lucrative offers for Antetokounmpo.

The deadline is set for Thursday at 3:00 pm ET.

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Recently, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst floated a hypothetical on what the Bucks’ plan might be if they don’t trade Antetokounmpo before Thursday’s deadline.

“I want to underscore I’m not putting anything past Andy Ellisburg or Pat Riley and the Miami Heat. Giannis could be on the Heat by 3:00. But if he’s not, I suspect the Bucks will deactivate Giannis and not play him the rest of the season,” said Windhorst on ESPN’s First Take, per Heat Central on X, formerly Twitter.

The Bucks would have plenty to gain from not playing Antetokounmpo for the rest of the year, as the team would have a solid chance of landing a good pick in next year’s draft if their star were to sit out, given the ineptitude of the rest of the team.

The Bucks will get the lesser of their own pick or the New Orleans Pelicans’, which will be on its way to the Atlanta Hawks, but there’s still a good chance that whatever selection that ends up being will be a highly valuable one.

If the Bucks were able to land a blue chip prospect in next year’s draft, that could be enough to convince Antetokounmpo to stick around, or it might motivate Milwaukee to trade him in the offseason and fully embrace a rebuild, when more teams will be able to make better offers.

In any case, the NBA trade deadline is set for Thursday at 3:00 pm ET.

The post Bucks rumors: Brian Windhorst thinks Giannis Antetokounmpo will be shut down for season if he’s not traded appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In fact, the Bucks are still trying to land Ja Morant, perhaps to pair him with Antetokounmpo.

“The Wolves and Heat, sources say, still believe they are in play for landing Giannis Antetokounmpo today, although like the Warriors, few believe Milwaukee is actually serious about parting ways with their franchise face. I’m still being told the Bucks are engaged with the Grizzlies on Ja Morant as well,” Fischer wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

It was reported yesterday by Brett Siegel of Clutch Points that there was a chance that Antetokounmpo would still be with the Bucks after the deadline.

“The Warriors package is there, [but] barring a last minute change, I don’t see that happening. And so the Miami Heat, [who are] out on Giannis, could get Ja Morant as Tomer (Azarly) just alluded to. But all indications right now are that Giannis will remain with the Bucks past the trade deadline,” Siegel said on Clutch Scoops.

The Golden State Warriors were the latest team to pull out of the sweepstakes for him, as they pivoted to another trade, moving Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.

The Bucks never needed to trade Antetokounmpo immediately, and there should be better deals and more teams interested after the season ends. For now, the Bucks are still trying to make moves so they could still somehow be competitive now and in the future, and landing Morant could help that. If there’s one person who has a good chance of changing teams in the coming hours, it’s him.

The post NBA rumors: Bucks still talking Ja Morant trade with Giannis Antetokounmpo likely staying past deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints.

To that end, the Cavs may end up being even more aggressive on the trade market — somehow finding themselves right in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains a likely trade candidate amid the Milwaukee Bucks’ bleak short-term future outlook.

Trading Garland, however, is another thing entirely compared to what it would take to bring Antetokounmpo, with the Bucks likely to demand all the draft capital in the world in addition to 24-year-old and reigning DPOY Evan Mobley.

While there are no concrete indicators that the Cavs might be willing to trade Mobley for Antetokounmpo, being open to the possibility could vault Cleveland atop the list of suitors for the Bucks star.

“What if they offered Evan Mobley, their 2031 first-round pick, and a 2032 first-round swap? That package right there is probably better than anything you could find on the market because Evan Mobley would fetch you at least three, maybe even four first round picks on the market right now,” ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said on the Clutch Scoops show.

2/4/26 — Anthony Davis to Wizards? Giannis next? Latest NBA intel w/ @TomerAzarly & @BrettSiegelNBA https://t.co/q5u711kP4Z

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 4, 2026

Cavs face significant hurdles in any potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

For starters, even with the Cavs having shed plenty of salary with their dealings these past few days, they remain above the second apron. This means that they can only acquire players who are making equal or less money than their current players, and they cannot aggregate players to bring in someone who’s making more.

A straight-up Mobley for Antetokounmpo swap is impossible because of this. They have to dump Max Strus first to do so, but it’s not quite clear if the Cavs have the assets to get off of his contract in the first place.

The post NBA rumors: Evan Mobley could be key to Cavs’ all-in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade push appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Be that as it may, it doesn’t look as though any team is going to be able to put together an acceptable trade package for the Bucks prior to the deadline. Brett Siegel, NBA insider for ClutchPoints, said on the Clutch Scoops show that he doesn’t believe that Antetokounmpo will have a new team at the deadline.

“The Warriors package is there, [but] barring a last minute change, I don’t see that happening. And so the Miami Heat, [who are] out on Giannis, could get Ja Morant as Tomer (Azarly) just alluded to. But all indications right now are that Giannis will remain with the Bucks past the trade deadline,” Siegel said.

2/4/26 — Anthony Davis to Wizards? Giannis next? Latest NBA intel w/ @TomerAzarly & @BrettSiegelNBA https://t.co/q5u711kP4Z

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 4, 2026

Bucks to revisit Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks come offseason time?

The rumor mill has indeed indicated that the parties that are most interested in Antetokounmpo could not put together a trade package that would convince the Bucks to deal away the greatest player in franchise history.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been rumored to be the most involved in Antetokounmpo trade talks, but they reportedly could not acquire enough first-round picks to supplement their Jaden McDaniels-centered package.

The Warriors have the enticing draft capital, but the player package they can put together is rather uninspiring for a Bucks team that wants to remain semi-competitive since they don’t control a few of their future firsts.

There should be more teams who can put forth a competitive offer come offseason time, and the Bucks may be best served waiting for that time to come.

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Several teams around the league have understandably expressed interest in the All-Star forward. Among them was the Miami Heat. However, they have reportedly been told the Bucks do not have any interest in a trade with Miami, according to ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel.

The biggest piece the Heat may have included for an Antetokounmpo trade is shooting guard Tyler Herro. The Bucks, though, scoffed at the idea with rumors surfacing their unwillingness to extend Herro beyond this season.

“The Miami Heat are focusing on other avenues at this point. They’ve been told from the Bucks angle that they are not in the sweepstakes before this trade deadline for Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Siegel said on ClutchScoops.

The Heat guard is in the third year of a 4-year, $130 million contract.

Herro’s numbers are down across the board this season. He is averaging 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, all below his All-Star level numbers of the previous two seasons. But his biggest issue has been injuries.

Herro has only played in 11 games this season. He missed the first couple of months with a foot injury. Upon his return, he has been in and out of the lineup with toe and rib injuries.

All while the rest of the NBA waits for the other Giannis shoe to drop. But with the trade deadline fast approaching, it’s looking more and more like the Bucks may hold onto Antetokounmpo after all.

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“We’re going to know if there’s a Giannis deal in the next 8 hours. … There’s a lot of moving parts here and I think there’s gonna have to be a framework of a Giannis type trade by midnight tonight.”

"We're going to know if there's a Giannis deal in the next 8 hours. … There's a lot of moving parts here and I think there's gonna have to be a framework of a Giannis type trade by midnight tonight."

– Bobby Marks

(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/40kwC3KusT

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 4, 2026

There are several teams that have shown interest in Antetokounmpo over the past week, and the Bucks are probably weighing their choices on who has the best package. At the same time, the Bucks don’t have to trade him now and can wait until the offseason, where they could probably get more in return.

If the Bucks were to make a deal now, teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors are the two that have shown the most interest. The Timberwolves traded Mike Conley Jr. to create space in case they could get a deal done, and they have the players to send out to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo.

It’s also been noted by Brett Siegel of Clutch Points that Antetokounmpo has the Timberwolves at the top of his list when it comes to trade destinations.

As for the Warriors, they would probably need help from a third or fourth team to facilitate a trade for Antetokounmpo, but it also looks like they’re open to trading Draymond Green, as he could be a piece in the deal.

In the end, the Bucks don’t have to force a trade if they don’t see anything they like, and they could still try their best in the offseason to improve their team to convince Antetokounmpo to stay.

The post Bucks’ Giannis trade gets ‘8 hour’ timeline from Bobby Marks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks have shown interest in Thomas, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

A Thomas trade has been anticipated since the offseason, when he failed to agree to a contract extension with the Nets and signed his $6 million qualifying offer. The fifth-year guard reportedly turned down a two-year, $15 million contract featuring a team option in favor of his QO. He has a no-trade clause, meaning he’ll have to agree to any deal Brooklyn makes.

However, a change of scenery could be in Thomas’ best interest, given a recent role reduction.

Cam Thomas missing game for personal reasons amid Bucks, Cavs trade interest

Thomas opened the year as a starter and Brooklyn’s leading scorer. He averaged 24.4 points on .408/.356/.875 shooting splits across the team’s first seven games. However, the Nets posted a 0-7 record with an NBA-worst 128.5 defensive rating during that span.

Thomas injured his hamstring during Brooklyn’s eighth game of the season, after which the team improved dramatically. The Nets posted a 9-12 record with the NBA’s sixth-best defensive rating (111.7) during Thomas’ absence. They are 4-17 with the NBA’s second-worst defense (120.9) since the 24-year-old returned from a two-month layoff.

Thomas has moved to the bench and seen his role reduced dramatically following his return. He’s averaged 12.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 30.6 percent from three over his last 16 appearances.

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Memphis traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in the offseason and signaled that they want to build around their two stars: Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. In acquiring Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and four first round picks, The Grizzlies positioned themselves with some assets to improve the roster and a number of intriguing young players like Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, and Jaylen Wells, among others.

But Memphis’ season quickly went downhill. Morant played in 11 of the team’s first 12 games, but that didn’t stop the Grizzlies from getting off to a 4-8 start to their season. The Grizzlies guard would go on to play in just nine of the team’s next 37 games before the trade deadline, simply unable to stay healthy due to numerous, unfortunate injuries.

The Grizzlies continued to fall in the standings despite Jaren Jackson Jr. playing in 45 of the team’s first 48 games of the season, which quickly showed that changes needed to be made.

Ja Morant Trade Talks

Ja Morant’s name came up in trade rumors in November, after a heated exchange with Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo in the Grizzlies’ locker room. Those talks were reignited as the team embarked on their trip to Berlin and London, as the team made it known they were fielding trade offers for the former two-time NBA All-Star.

Morant, sources said, has maintained that he never requested to be traded and has wanted to remain with the franchise to see things through. This despite Memphis signaling that they were not going to be offering him the three-year, $178 million contract extension he was eligible for.

The trade sending Jaren Jackson Jr. in a package to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday afternoon came as a surprise to Morant and Grizzlies players, one source said, especially given the fact that the big man just signed the new, renegotiated four-year deal with the Grizzlies franchise in July of 2025 — seven months ago.

Ja Morant has long insisted that he not be traded, expressing his desire to remain a part of the Memphis Grizzlies franchise and community. The guard is aware of his struggles to stay healthy, and wants the opportunity to improve things for the team and the city. But Morant also understands that the trade of Jaren Jackson Jr. now effectively ends this era for the franchise and signals a rebuild around the newer, younger pieces on the roster.

Grizzlies General Manager Zach Kleiman has been fielding trade offers for Morant for over a month now, and the asking price for him as been higher than that of the Hawks for Trae Young. But Memphis is not getting offers anywhere near what they’re asking for, and there’s an increasing likelihood they never will.

The Grizzlies also aren’t working with Ja Morant on any trade packages, added one league source, and Morant’s team is essentially in the dark on trade talks right now. This is not a collaborative situation like James Harden’s with the LA Clippers or Giannis Antetokounmpo’s with the Milwaukee Bucks — if he does officially request a trade.

Morant would like to end up in a situation like the Miami Heat, a franchise led by Pat Riley and Erik Spoeltra that has done their homework on Morant in recent weeks, league sources said. In a perfect world, the Heat want to trade for both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant to pair with Bam Adebayo to make a run for an NBA Championship.

But in the last 24 hours, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel has reported that the Heat don’t believe the Bucks want to take their trade offer, and have since pivoted to potentially trading for Ja Morant.

The Miami Heat are also said to be open to signing Morant the three-year, $178 million extension he’s eligible for, one source said, if they’re able to land him in a trade.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently making a strong push for Giannis Antetokounmpo, league sources say, but could pivot to Ja Morant if their talks for the Milwaukee Bucks star fall through. The Sacramento Kings, sources said, would entertain such a move if it allowed them to get off the contracts of guys like DeMar DeRozan ($24.5 million) and Malik Monk ($18.7 million).

The post Sources: Why Grizzlies, Ja Morant split appears imminent before NBA trade deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With any trade will come backlash from certain people, and in Antetokounmpo’s case, he thinks some would assume he quit on the Bucks. Contrary to belief, Antetokounmpo believes he has done the opposite and showed it against the Denver Nuggets when he was injured.

“There’s going to be some people that are like, ‘Hey, man, when s— got hard, he left us. When it didn’t go his way, he left,’” Antetokounmpo said via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “It bothers me — which it should not be bothering me — because I don’t like to quit. I got hurt in the first quarter of the game, the last game I played. And then in the fourth quarter, I got hurt again.

“Any other player on this planet would have — in my position, going through the season that he’s going through, and all these injuries coming back, win, lose, win, lose, inconsistent play, blah, blah — would have said, ‘Oh yeah, I’m just gonna protect my calf. You don’t know what tomorrow holds. Let’s just make a business decision here.’ That’s not me though.”

There’s no doubt that Antetokounmpo has the ultimate work ethic, and he shows it every time he’s on the court. It’s also obvious that the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee mean a lot to him, which is probably why it’s been hard for them to go through the process of being in trade rumors.

At the end of the day, Antetokounmpo knows that this team is not championship-ready, and with him in his prime years, it’s best to go somewhere that will give him the best chance of winning.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo’s message to haters who think he has quit on Bucks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, recently, Antetokounmpo was asked if he would be willing to stay on board if the team could find a way to compete consistently, and his answer may give some optimism to Bucks fans.

“You’re saying that if they can convince me to stay within the team, and the next year that we can compete? Oh yeah, 1,000 percent,” Antetokounmpo said, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “One million percent.”

Antetokounmpo also spoke on the reality of Milwaukee’s current situation as they flounder in the standings.

“I want to be here, but I want to be here to win, not fighting for my life to make the playoffs,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m not used to inconsistent basketball. I’ve played so many years of consistent basketball, I am not used to it anymore. During the game, I don’t know if you can see my face, (but) I get frustrated during the game, while the game is going on.”

Indeed, the Bucks have been a trainwreck this year, and are currently on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. While Antetokounmpo is currently injured, the team has been mediocre at best even when he’s on the floor, and everyone outside of Milwaukee seems to have seen the writing on the wall for quite some time now.

At this point, it’s unclear how exactly the Bucks could possibly find a way to win consistently moving forward, but if they commit to losing for the rest of this year, they could wind up with a valuable draft pick in June.

In any case, the trade deadline is set for Thursday.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo would ‘1 million percent’ stay if Bucks could pull off miracle to compete next season appeared first on ClutchPoints.