Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors didn’t die, they just went dormant

The Bucks made it through the February 5 trade deadline without moving Giannis Antetokounmpo, but around the NBA , that outcome hasn’t slowed speculation one bit.

According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, executives monitoring the situation continue to believe that a trade to what Fischer described as “a true title contender” remains the most likely long-term outcome — particularly this summer, when more teams will have cleaner paths to put together real offers.

At the deadline, the Bucks’ options were limited. That changes once draft-night deals, pick control, and offseason flexibility come back into play. Several contenders are expected to be far more aggressive when the calendar flips.

One team Fischer flags as a potential suitor is the Nets. League sources expect Brooklyn to at least explore scenarios involving draft-heavy packages, with some frameworks potentially built around Michael Porter Jr., depending on how Brooklyn chooses to structure its assets.

Fischer also notes that how teams like the Rockets and Spurs perform in the playoffs could shape the market. A deep run can change internal timelines fast. So can an early exit.

That said, the Bucks are still Giannis’ team. But the league-wide expectation is that this conversation isn’t going away. It’s simply waiting for the offseason to reopen it.