Giannis Antetokounmpo hitting the trade market is the kind of seismic shift that can change the NBA landscape overnight. But while front offices across the league are scrambling to see if they can get in the mix, the ripple effect in Sacramento is more like a roadblock. For the Kings, this news doesn’t just complicate their plans-it might derail them entirely.
Sources say the Milwaukee Bucks are officially listening to offers for their franchise cornerstone, and Antetokounmpo himself has reportedly told the team it’s time to move on. That’s a massive development.
We’re talking about a two-time MVP, 10-time All-Star, and one of the most dominant two-way forces the league has seen in decades. Naturally, the phones lit up the moment that news broke.
But while the rest of the league gears up for a potential bidding war, Sacramento is left in a holding pattern.
The Kings, led by GM Scott Perry, have been looking to reshape their roster ahead of the February 5 trade deadline. One of their key assets?
Zach LaVine. The Bucks had been eyeing LaVine as a potential addition to help bolster their roster around Giannis.
But with Antetokounmpo now on the block, those talks have likely cooled-if not gone completely cold. Whether Milwaukee moves Giannis now or waits until the summer, their priorities have shifted, and LaVine no longer seems to be part of the plan.
That’s a problem for Sacramento. LaVine, who’s making $47.5 million this season and holds a $49 million player option for next year, doesn’t appear to have many suitors at the moment. And with so much attention now focused on Antetokounmpo, teams may be hesitant to make significant moves until that domino falls.
It’s not just LaVine who could be impacted. League-wide, the uncertainty surrounding Giannis could put a pause on a number of trade discussions.
Teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs are all reportedly interested in making a run at the Greek Freak. That kind of competition can freeze the market as GMs wait to see where the superstar lands-and how the rest of the league reacts.
For Sacramento, that means pivoting. If they can’t move LaVine or DeMar DeRozan directly, their best shot might be jumping into a larger, multi-team deal as a facilitator. That could open the door to moving some of their other veterans or reshaping their roster in creative ways.
Domantas Sabonis, for instance, has been linked to the Toronto Raptors in a potential deal involving RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and draft assets. That’s the kind of trade that could help the Kings get younger and more flexible.
Meanwhile, Malik Monk and Keon Ellis are also drawing interest. Ellis, in particular, is generating buzz-NBA insider Marc Stein reports that up to 14 teams are keeping tabs on him.
Still, the path forward for LaVine and DeRozan is murky. LaVine, now 30, is averaging 19.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists this season while shooting just under 40% from three.
That’s a dip from last year’s production-23.3 points, 4.3 boards, 4.2 assists, and a 44.6% clip from deep. The talent is still there, but the contract and the recent drop-off are making teams cautious.
DeRozan, at 36, is putting up solid numbers-19.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. He’s shooting 50.5% from the field, 33.7% from three, and an impressive 87% from the free-throw line on 5.4 attempts per game.
He’s earning $24.8 million this season, with $25.7 million due next season, though only $10 million of that is guaranteed. That partial guarantee could make him a more attractive piece for teams looking to create future cap space.
Despite the trade chatter, DeRozan has made it clear he’s still committed to helping the Kings win. But he’s also not hiding the fact that he wants to be in a competitive environment.
“For me, it’s not like I’m playing another 10 years,” DeRozan said recently. “So you definitely want to maximize your time and give everything you’ve got left to playing for something. I don’t think that part of it is a secret-whether it’s here or wherever.”
That’s a candid reflection from a veteran who knows time is ticking. And it’s emblematic of the crossroads Sacramento finds itself at. With the trade deadline looming and the league’s attention now centered on Antetokounmpo, the Kings have to decide quickly whether to wait out the storm or find another way to retool on the fly.
One thing’s for sure: the clock is ticking, and the Kings can’t afford to stand still.