East Notes: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Raptors, Heat

Bucks

Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo said he is pleased with the job being done by GM Jon Horst, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

“I feel really good about this team,” Antetokounmpo told Nehm. “I feel this team has a chance to win a championship and that’s all you can ask for. Now, what Jon’s going to do, that’s in his hands. He’s really good at his job. GM of the Year in 2019.

“He’s made incredible trades, some of those trades helped us win a championship. We’ve just got to trust him. We’ve got to trust his judgment and what he sees and what he feels.”

• The Bucks are believed to be getting close on a trade for Suns forward Jae Crowder, as we relayed here. They even have been granted permission to meet with Crowder ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Raptors

Forward OG Anunoby has been the subject of trade rumors, but said he’s not been bothered by them, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.

“It is what it is,” Anunoby told Grange.

Anunoby has been linked to the Grizzlies, as we relayed here, as well as several others. Basically, there’s no telling what the Raptors may do ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

“What can I do about it?’ Anunoby said of the trade rumors, via Grange. “I didn’t tell anyone to do that story or say whatever. It’s not my choice for whatever is going on to be going on. I can’t control it, so what’s the point of being mad about it?”

• Some members of the Raptors might welcome a trade, per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report. Anunoby gave no indication if he’s one of them in the piece by Grange.

Heat

Point guard Kyle Lowry has also seen his name come up in trade rumors, but indicated he would prefer to stay with the Heat, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

“I’ve been in trade rumors before,” Lowry said, via Chiang. “I have a very nice contract that can be moved. The organization believes in me and I’m glad to be here. I want to stay. I enjoy this place. I picked this place.

“I feel we have a chance to always compete for a title. With (Jimmy Butler), (Bam Adebayo), (Tyler Herro) and (Erik Spoelstra) as a coach we always have an opportunity.”

• The Heat remain among the teams interested in available Knicks forward Cam Reddish, as we relayed here.