The Milwaukee Bucks adjusted their stance this week by starting to take calls and hear trade proposals involving Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Around the league, multiple executives believe general manager Jon Horst and the organization are mainly trying to set an early market value now, with the intention of running a fuller bidding process in the offseason when teams would have access to more draft picks and greater flexibility.
“They’re asking for the moon,” one general manager told The Stein Line on Thursday morning. “All of your young players and all of your draft picks.”
Just a few days earlier, as recently as Monday, Milwaukee had been exploring the market from the opposite angle – searching for ways to add talent around Antetokounmpo in hopes of strengthening the roster for the current campaign rather than considering moving him.
Delaying any potential deal until the summer would also simplify the logistics of a major trade for everyone involved.
It would give the Bucks the added benefit of seeing how the draft lottery plays out in May before making a final decision.
Antetokounmpo is set to have one year left on his contract once the offseason arrives.
Bucks Could Be Setting Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Prices At Deadline Before Full Auction In Offseason https://t.co/poirlC4rMB
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 29, 2026
