The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the busiest teams during the February 6 trade deadline, as they managed to acquire Kyle Kuzma and Jericho Sims in a three-team deal with the Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks and Kevin Porter Jr. from the Los Angeles Clippers.
But did you know that Milwaukee were close to acquiring Luka Doncic? According to Gery Woelfel, Dallas reportedly inquired about Giannis Antetokounmpo for a potential swap, but the Milwaukee Bucks said no, and the Dallas Mavericks eventually struck a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Feb 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to move the ball past Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out which players from those teams would have piqued the Mavs’ interest. With the Bucks, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021. Antetokounmpo happens to have a strong rapport with Mavs coach Jason Kidd and his right-hand man, Sean Sweeney,” Woelfel wrote in his column.
Feb 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots during pregame warm-ups against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
“According to one source, the Mavs reached out to the Bucks. But the Bucks made it clear to Mavs they wouldn’t trade Antetokounmpo even though his future with the team is murky,” he added.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is out until the NBA All-Star break
Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed the last four games due to a strained calf, and the Milwaukee Bucks have missed him badly. With the Greek Freak out, the team has alternated wins and losses in their last five.
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Nov 12, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) sits with guard Damian Lillard on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Antetokounmpo is Milwaukee’s leading scorer, averaging 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks on 60.8 percent shooting from the field in 41 starts this 2024-25.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined, co-star Damian Lillard is tasked with shouldering a bigger offensive load. Dame Time has scored 81 points in his last two appearances.
