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No one is talking about the Lakers as a factor in The Giannis Sweepstakes right now because they're not a factor if a trade is going to happen by week's end. They don't have enough tradeable assets to join the in-season bidders. But if the Bucks do ultimately decide to take this saga into that spring … The Lakers, league sources say, would then indeed become a very viable threat to land No. 34.
Holiday remains a Trail Blazer as we speak and, as The Stein Line first reported over the weekend, Portland has conveyed to Milwaukee that it would love to trade for Antetokounmpo directly if it could. Sources say, however, that Antetokounmpo's camp has continued to signal no interest in a contract extension with the Blazers, which would dissuade them from surrendering good assets to trade for him and likely limits Portland's realistic involvement in an eventual Antetokounmpo deal to third-team facilitator status.
Yet here's a tangible trade obstacle for the Warriors in their pursuit of Giannis: League sources say that Milwaukee has shown a reluctance to take Green's contract back and would want him to be routed to a third team if talks progressed to an advanced stage.
NBACentral: Minnesota’s trade package is gaining momentum as the one Milwaukee values most, with the Bucks valuing Minnesota and Miami’s packages over Golden State’s, per @JakeLFischer (Via @BleacherReport / h/t @HeatCulture13 )
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Jim Owczarski: #Bucks head coach Doc Rivers got jokes. He said Giannis Antetokounmpo told him he’s putting Shams Charania on the trade block as celebrity all-star game coach. @shamsbot.bsky.social #NBASky
Jon Krawczynski: The Wolves are still in on Giannis and are still exploring other moves for depth. I don’t think the Conley deal necessarily means Giannis is happening. A lot of moving parts right now.
Marc Stein on Giannis Antetokounmpo: Minnesota has been in this thing from the jump. And the reason is, based on everything I’ve been told, Giannis Antetokounmpo has a very strong admiration for Anthony Edwards—and there have been back-channel discussions about this going back to the summer. The issue the Wolves have is the only pick they can throw in right now is a 2028 first-round swap. That’s not going to get it done. So they would have to trade Jaden McDaniels for sure, which is something they’ve resisted in the past. They would not include McDaniels in any discussions for Kevin Durant.”
Jake Fischer: Being told the Wolves are receiving cash in their three-team deal with Detroit and Chicago that offloads Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls, and swaps Kevin Huerter and Jaden Ivey. Minnesota very much remains in active pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources say.
“I’m not sure how individually guys are handling it,” Bucks forward Taurean Prince acknowledged of the Giannis Antetokounmpo-focused rumors on Jan. 23. “It’s not something that’s talked about. But as for me, I’ve been a part of trade rumors ever since Year 1 in 2016, so you kind of have to have a certain mindset about you. Not a lot is in your control. "If that’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen whether you want it to or not. So, you kinda just gotta stay in the moment. I think I’ve done that. That’s something I can express with guys who may not have been in the league a lot or been through those situations but you just gotta kind of give yourself all to the moment and just hope for the best really.”
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Kyle Kuzma and AJ Green did acknowledge, though, that being mindful of their attitude, effort and spirit is part of keeping the team together as they wait for either the team to be wholly blown up or perhaps only tweaked. “I think it’s part of just being honorable,” Kuzma said. “I’m older. I’m an older guy, we’ve got a lot of younger guys that haven’t’ been through a lot of these type of things. I’ve been through this nine seasons. I’ve be through trade rumors for nine seasons. So I think the best way you can help is, everybody watched you. Everybody is looking at you.
Anthony Chiang: While the Heat has registered some level of interest in Ja Morant in recent weeks, a league source says the Heat’s focus remains on Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
Shams Charania: Bulls and Pistons have desires met here in a young and veteran guards to Chicago and a sharpshooter goes to Detroit. Minnesota creates significant tax savings and roster space as they pursue a Milwaukee star this week.
Barry Jackson: This gives Wolves more flexibility in Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit. If Bucks ownership decides they don't want a long rebuild and want to be moderately competitive with Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and no picks, this would be best HYPOTHETICAL PLAYER offer among 4 reported primary
