With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 5, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a precarious position - both in the standings and in the eyes of their franchise cornerstone, Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Giannis hasn’t publicly requested a trade, the next few weeks could very well determine how the Bucks move forward - and whether they’ll be doing it with or without the two-time MVP.
At 11-16 and currently sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks are underperforming by just about every measure. And now, with Giannis sidelined for the next few weeks due to a right calf strain, the pressure is mounting.
This stretch - without their superstar - is going to be a litmus test for the roster. Can they keep the ship afloat in his absence?
Or will this be the stretch that convinces Giannis that the help he needs just isn’t there?
Milwaukee’s Deadline Mindset: Buyers, Not Sellers
The Bucks aren’t waiting around for that answer. According to league sources, Milwaukee is actively positioning itself as a buyer heading into the trade deadline. The message is clear: they want to upgrade this roster and give Giannis a reason to believe in the team’s direction.
But here’s the catch - the Bucks are low on trade assets after going all-in on the Damian Lillard deal. That blockbuster move hasn’t paid off the way they hoped.
Lillard has struggled to consistently mesh with the system, and the team’s depth has taken a hit. Now, Milwaukee is in scramble mode, looking for any viable way to add talent without the kind of draft capital or young players that typically grease the wheels of deadline deals.
They’ve already been linked to names like Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner in recent weeks - moves that, while splashy, feel more like patchwork than long-term solutions. The front office seems willing to take big swings again, even if it means chasing players who might be more available than actually impactful.
Zach LaVine and the “Overpaid but Attainable” Mold
One name that’s surfaced in trade talks is Bulls guard Zach LaVine. LaVine checks a lot of boxes for Milwaukee: he’s a proven scorer, an athletic wing who can create his own shot, and most importantly, he’s gettable. His contract is hefty, but with Chicago reportedly open to moving him, the Bucks could see him as a high-upside gamble.
LaVine fits a certain mold that Milwaukee is clearly targeting - skilled veterans with big contracts who may be undervalued due to injury history or team context. It’s a risky strategy, but it might be the only path left for a team that’s already mortgaged so much of its future.
Enter Jerami Grant: A Familiar Target Resurfaces
Another player on Milwaukee’s radar? Jerami Grant. The Trail Blazers forward has been on the Bucks’ watchlist for some time, and with Portland heading deeper into a rebuild, the timing might finally be right.
Grant is in the middle of a strong season and still brings value as a versatile scorer and defender. But his contract - which has over $100 million left on it through 2028 - makes him a tough sell for most teams. That might not scare off the Bucks, though, especially given their current situation.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Portland already owns Milwaukee’s 2028, 2029, and 2030 first-round picks thanks to the Lillard trade. That gives the Blazers a unique level of leverage in any potential deal. They’re already invested in Milwaukee’s long-term trajectory, and flipping Grant to the Bucks could be a way to accelerate their own rebuild while potentially nudging the Bucks closer to a breaking point.
A Trojan Horse or a Lifeline?
From Portland’s perspective, moving Grant now makes a lot of sense. Shedding that contract opens up flexibility, and with Jrue Holiday’s deal also on the books, the Blazers are feeling the cap pressure. Trading Grant to Milwaukee - a team desperate enough to overlook the financials - could be the cleanest exit strategy.
For the Bucks, though, adding Grant would be less about fit and more about survival. He’s not the kind of player who transforms a team into a contender overnight, but he could help stabilize the roster while Giannis recovers. More importantly, it signals to Giannis that the front office is still swinging, still trying to build something around him.
But let’s be honest - this would be a last-ditch move. If Grant is the best Milwaukee can do, it might not be enough to convince Giannis that the Bucks are still a championship-caliber organization. And if that’s the case, the franchise could be heading for a much bigger shakeup down the line.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
This isn’t just about adding a piece or two at the deadline. This is about keeping Giannis in Milwaukee - and that means every move from here on out carries extra weight. The Bucks are walking a tightrope, trying to upgrade a flawed roster without the usual tools to do it.
Whether it’s LaVine, Grant, or someone else entirely, the next few weeks are going to define the Bucks’ season - and possibly their future. If they swing and miss, they risk more than just a lost season. They risk losing the face of their franchise.