As the NBA trade deadline approaches on Thursday, rumors continue to swirl around the potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks. Despite the Golden State Warriors’ ability to offer Milwaukee more draft picks than other contenders, it seems the Bucks are more likely to pursue a trade with either the Miami Heat or the Minnesota Timberwolves. This latest development was reported by NBA insider Evan Sidery on February 4, who indicated the Bucks have narrowed their primary options to these teams or deciding to keep Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
Sidery shared,
“The Heat and Timberwolves have been the Bucks’ main focus lately in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade negotiations, per @ShamsCharania,”
and added,
“It appears to be down to Miami, Minnesota or staying in Milwaukee. The Warriors seem to be out of the Giannis sweepstakes.”
Bucks Reluctant to Receive Draymond Green in Trade Discussions with Warriors
A significant obstacle in a possible trade involving the Warriors is Milwaukee’s hesitancy to take on Draymond Green as part of the deal. Insider Marc Stein highlighted this, reporting,
“have shown a reluctance to acquiring Draymond Green in any potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade package.”
Because of this roadblock, the Warriors would likely need to engage a third team to handle Green’s contract, possibly one willing to offer draft picks to the Bucks as compensation. This complexity makes a direct trade between Milwaukee and Golden State more challenging.
Warriors Offer Most Draft Picks in Trade Proposal Excluding Draymond Green
An ESPN group of NBA insiders developed a trade concept that would send Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Warriors along with Myles Turner. The package sent to Milwaukee would include young talents Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, as well as Jimmy Butler, who is currently sidelined with an ACL injury.
Kevin Pelton explained,
“Golden State, which can trade up to four of its own first-round picks and has a reasonable matching salary in the injured [Jimmy] Butler, has the cleanest path to a two-team trade that gives Milwaukee young talent, picks and cap flexibility.”
Pelton further noted,
“Butler will have an expiring contract next season and could return value at the 2027 deadline if he’s back from an ACL tear that has him out for the remainder of this season.”
In this scenario, Milwaukee would receive four first-round draft choices in 2026, 2028, 2030 (conditional on the pick falling between Nos. 1-20), and 2032, along with a first-round pick swap in 2031. To balance the trade and accommodate Kuminga’s trade request, the Warriors would also send a swap and Podziemski back to Golden State to acquire Turner.
Pelton added,
“That would create a crowded Golden State front-court with incumbents Draymond Green and Al Horford, though the Warriors would probably want to manage their minutes and Antetokounmpo’s return from another calf injury.”
Bucks Might Delay Trade Until Offseason to Maximize Offers
Although the Warriors’ offer seems competitively strong, the Bucks might be hesitant to finalize a deal before the trade deadline. Waiting until the summer could allow more teams to enter the mix for Antetokounmpo, as teams will have fresh draft assets available, potentially driving up trade value for Milwaukee.
However, by then, Giannis will have only one year remaining on his contract, giving him increased leverage in determining his eventual destination. This leverage could complicate trade negotiations if he chooses to withhold agreement on a contract extension to discourage some teams.
The potential outcomes of these maneuvers hold significant implications both for Milwaukee’s rebuilding strategy and for the balance of power within the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences moving forward.
The Heat and Timberwolves have been the Bucks’ main focus lately in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade negotiations, per @ShamsCharania.
It appears to be down to Miami, Minnesota or staying in Milwaukee.
The Warriors seem to be out of the Giannis sweepstakes. pic.twitter.com/3yj666r9py
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 4, 2026
The Bucks have shown a reluctance to acquiring Draymond Green in any potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade package, per @TheSteinLine.
Golden State would need to find another team willing to send Milwaukee draft capital to take on Green. pic.twitter.com/le3cNrxrQM
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 4, 2026
