The Milwaukee Bucks have done it again. After ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported in December that Giannis Antetokounmpo's camp was having discussions with the organization about his future, the assumption was that the superstar would be on the move before the deadline. Now, with the deadline three weeks away, it's becoming clearer by the day that he isn't going anywhere.
Milwaukee set itself up to be a buyer before the deadline, although it is very limited in what it can do. The idea of Giannis leaving is too much for the Bucks to bear, so they're willing to do whatever it takes to convince him to stay.
The pressure is on. The front office needs to approach the deadline as now-or-never, because, well, it is. Milwaukee's season has ended in the first round of the playoffs for three consecutive years, and advancing to the second round in 2026 wouldn't be enough. Anything less than a championship will be disappointing, and they have a long way to go before they get there.
They're currently No. 11 in the East with a 17-22 record, a game and a half back from the No. 10 Bulls, and four and a half games back from the No. 6 Magic. If the Bucks can make a move that will result in a top-six finish at the end of the regular season, they'd have something to work with in the postseason.
The Bucks' future rests on Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo wants to win another title, and if Milwaukee comes anywhere close to doing so this season, it will be because of him. The Bucks need him to reach a whole new level, even by his standards, assuming they make it to the playoffs. Yes, whoever they get before the deadline will hopefully help, but it will still be Giannis leading the show.
If something happens to Giannis that affects his status for the postseason, the door will slam shut on Milwaukee's title hopes. We all saw how poorly they played without him a few weeks ago when he missed time with a calf strain.
Although it seems like Giannis will stick around for the rest of the season, the Bucks can't feel comfortable with where they are, not even close. Just because he told The Athletic that he won't request a trade because that's not his nature doesn't mean he won't do so, or that things will get bad enough for Milwaukee to feel like a trade is its only option.
The Bucks have taken a hard stance on not trading Giannis, at least right now, so all fans can do is sit back and watch how the rest of the season unfolds.