NBA trade deadline: How Giannis’ injury affects Bucks, Knicks, Warriors, Heat, and more

Giannis Antetokounmpo is hurt again, this time with the Feb. 5 NBA NBA trade deadline in sight. Antetokounmpo said he thinks doctors will tell him something popped in his calf during the Bucks’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, and it will likely keep him out for 4-6 weeks, putting him on the med through the trade deadline.

The Bucks are 18-26 at the time of this injury, and would miss the play-in tournament in the East if the season ended today. Milwaukee has been at the center of trade deadline conversation to this point for two main reasons:

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The Bucks have been determined to be buyers at the trade deadline with their limited asset pool to try to give Giannis one last chance to win in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo told The Athletic he would never ask for a trade out of Milwaukee, but all he really has to do is turn down the Bucks’ contract extension this summer. If that happens, Giannis will be on an expiring deal, and it would be prudent for Milwaukee to get something in return for him while it still can.

This is an incredibly poorly timed injury for both Giannis and the Bucks. Here’s all the ways it could impact the NBA trade deadline.

Giannis likely won’t get traded at the deadline

I didn’t think Giannis was going to get traded at the deadline anyway, but this probably kills any chance of it. He should be set to return in late Feb. or early March ahead of the playoffs, but the team that acquires him won’t want to rush him back from injury. Giannis is also such a distinct player that it would be difficult for a contender to center their schemes around him on the fly, especially when he’s not 100 percent physically. It feels like this injury kills any chance that he’s traded in season.

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The Bucks need to tank instead of buy the deadline

Bucks rumors have centered around Ja Morant and Zach LaVine so far, but they should forget that noise. Milwaukee is actually in position to enter the lottery with pretty good odds of landing a top pick this year: Atlanta controls swap rights on the most favorable of New Orleans’ and Milwaukee’s pick, and meaning the Bucks get the…

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Publish date : 2026-01-24 16:16:00

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