December 15 is a big day in the NBA, as a good chunk of players become trade-eligible. Activity could pick up in a hurry as teams look to tweak their rosters. One such franchise is the Milwaukee Bucks, who are under a microscope as Giannis Antetokounmpo's future is up in the air. As things heat up, let us break down everything going on rumor-wise.
Bucks telling teams Giannis is not available
The Milwaukee Bucks are telling teams that Giannis Antetokounmpo is not available for trade. In fact, NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required) reports that the team has countered by telling interested teams that it is seeking roster upgrades. Unless Giannis requests out, the Milwaukee Bucks will not be trading him. Their focus is on keeping him and turning things around very soon.
Several teams not expected to pursue Giannis
In that same report, Stein mentioned that San Antonio, Houston, and OKC are three teams that are not expected to pursue Giannis if he's made available. All three seemingly feel good about what they have going and do not want to blow up their current cores. That hurts from Milwaukee's perspective, given that they are arguably the three teams most likely to forge the most desirable packages.
If those three were off the table, the Atlanta Hawks would have been an interesting suitor. Yet, Stein also mentions that Jalen Johnson, a Milwaukee native currently playing for Atlanta, is almost certainly untouchable in trade discussions. The same goes for the prized first-round pick that the Hawks got from New Orleans last summer. Without those two assets, the Hawks are not a legitimate suitor.
Teams with interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo
As for teams that do hold an interest in the Greek Freak, insider Chris Haynes recently name-dropped the Knicks, Heat, Warriors, and Timberwolves. It's been widely reported that the Knicks were the team Giannis wanted to play for if he were traded. Yet, their assets are far from satisfactory. Haynes stated that "sun" could be a factor in Giannis' decision, which could give Miami a boost in talks if the Knicks fail to put together a halfway decent deal.
Zach LaVine is Bucks target with the most smoke
It's not surprising that the Milwaukee Bucks are looking for support. It is surprising, however, that the target they've been linked to the most is guard Zach LaVine. The Athletic's Sam Amick (subscription required) reported that Milwaukee has done "recent" due diligence on LaVine, currently a member of the Sacramento Kings.
LaVine is a nice player, and he could certainly help give the offense a boost with Giannis sidelined for an extended period. However, this team needs a two-way small forward. Bringing in another shooting guard with little defensive acumen certainly isn't solving anything in the bigger picture, especially in a world where LaVine is making $46.5 million this season.
Elsewhere, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto has reported that the Bucks did homework on Celtics guard Anfernee Simons. Much like LaVine, Simons is a score-first guard who isn't solving anything anytime soon. Sure, he'd cost about half as much financially, but he also doesn't have the stature that LaVine does and is having his least-productive season in a long time.
Anything on Doc Rivers' future with the franchise?
No. There has been no chatter about the Milwaukee Bucks moving on, even following a 45-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.