Giannis Antetokounmpo is damage once more, this time with the Feb. 5 NBA NBA commerce deadline in sight. Antetokounmpo stated he thinks medical doctors will inform him one thing popped in his calf through the Bucks’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night time, and it’ll doubtless hold him out for 4-6 weeks, placing him on the med via the commerce deadline.
The Bucks are 18-26 on the time of this harm, and would miss the play-in event within the East if the season ended as we speak. Milwaukee has been on the heart of commerce deadline dialog so far for 2 fundamental causes:
- The Giannis commerce rumors are unavoidable at this level, with ESPN insider Brian Windhorst saying everybody within the league expects a divorce between the 2 sides finally.
- The Bucks have been decided to be patrons on the commerce deadline with their restricted asset pool to attempt to give Giannis one final likelihood to win in Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo informed The Athletic he would by no means ask for a commerce out of Milwaukee, however all he actually has to do is flip down the Bucks’ contract extension this summer season. If that occurs, Giannis can be on an expiring deal, and it might be prudent for Milwaukee to get one thing in return for him whereas it nonetheless can.
That is an extremely poorly timed harm for each Giannis and the Bucks. Right here’s all of the methods it may affect the NBA commerce deadline.
Giannis doubtless received’t get traded on the deadline
I didn’t assume Giannis was going to get traded on the deadline anyway, however this in all probability kills any likelihood of it. He must be set to return in late Feb. or early March forward of the playoffs, however the workforce that acquires him received’t wish to rush him again from harm. Giannis can be such a definite participant that it might be troublesome for a contender to heart their schemes round him on the fly, particularly when he’s not one hundred pc bodily. It appears like this harm kills any likelihood that he’s traded in season.
The Bucks must tank as an alternative of purchase the deadline
Bucks rumors have centered round Ja Morant and Zach LaVine up to now, however they need to neglect that noise. Milwaukee is definitely in place to enter the lottery with fairly good odds of touchdown a high decide this yr: Atlanta controls swap rights on essentially the most favorable of New Orleans’ and Milwaukee’s decide, and which means the Bucks get the least favorable of the 2. With the Pelicans trying like a bottom-two workforce within the league, it’s attainable each picks may soar method up within the lottery and ship Milwaukee the kind of younger expertise they so desperately want. The best Milwaukee can draft this yr is No. 2, however that might be an important decide in a category as loaded as this one. Milwaukee wants each New Orleans’ decide and their decide to leap up. If the season ended as we speak, the Pelicans can be No. 2 within the lottery odds and the Bucks can be No. 8. I’m guessing Milwaukee will get previous by Charlotte at minimal within the East standings with Giannis out. The Bucks’ place is about to be much more favorable after Giannis’ harm.
The Warmth will hold their powder dry
The Warmth are poised to be one of many largest suitors for Giannis each time Milwaukee lastly decides to hearken to gives for him. Miami would in all probability like to purchase on the deadline because it presently sits at 23-22 with the No. 8 seed within the East, but it surely’s arduous to think about placing a future first-round decide on the desk for a participant like Morant with the Antetokounmpo state of affairs lingering. The Warmth would possibly make a small transfer, however they nonetheless want their greatest property to package deal in a Giannis provide this summer season. I’m guessing it’s a quiet deadline for Miami.
The Knicks ought to end the season with Karl-Anthony Cities
The Knicks’ post-NBA Cup spiral has began some Karl-Anthony Cities commerce rumors, and it is smart given how determined New York is to maximise their championship possibilities this season. We all know the Knicks are additionally Giannis’ private favourite vacation spot if he does get traded, and Cities appears like essential matching wage in any deal. With Antetokounmpo much less more likely to be on the transfer on the deadline now, it might be stunning to see the Knicks commerce Cities in-season. New York’s greatest transfer is making an attempt to win the East with this workforce this yr, and in the event that they fail, reassess how they will land Giannis in the summertime forward of the 2026-27 season.
The Warriors can’t wait on Giannis
Golden State reportedly needs to land each Giannis and LeBron James this summer season. Good luck with that. The Warriors don’t have many seasons left with Stephen Curry nonetheless taking part in at a top-10 stage, and so they can’t waste this yr by sitting idly on the commerce deadline hoping to land Giannis in the summertime. Jimmy Butler’s ACL harm is a devastating blow for Golden State, and it’s doubtless there’s no transfer on the desk that may really elevate them into one of many 4 greatest groups within the West. I nonetheless assume the Warriors must be lively and do every thing they will to offer Curry a shot this yr. Does that imply a commerce for Michael Porter Jr.? Domantas Sabonis and Keon Ellis? Sam Hauser? Be happy to throw this one within the my face if the Warriors actually do land Giannis this summer season, however I don’t assume it’s taking place, so it’s higher to offer Steph a shot whereas they nonetheless can.
