Giannis Antetokounmpo may be "ready for a new home," but it appears his new residence is still in the pre-build phase.
The Milwaukee Bucks indicated to other teams that they were keeping the two-time MVP through the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline to make other trades, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Thursday.
Then they did exactly that, agreeing to trade Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for Nigel Hayes-Davis and Ousmane Dieng from the Chicago Bulls, according to another report from Charania. The Bulls added Nick Richards from the Suns in the three-team deal.
With the move, the Suns add more shooting and secondary ball-handling to their backcourt for two players who were on the periphery of their rotation while they aim to break into a top-six spot in the West.
Anthony is in the midst of a down year, averaging a career-low 6.7 points to go along with 2.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his first season in Milwaukee. However, the 25-year-old was a serviceable backup guard with the Orlando Magic for five seasons previously, averaging 12 points and 3.5 assists throughout his career.
Coffey, 28, is averaging a career-low 8.8 minutes and 2.4 points per game, but scored a career-high 9.7 last season and is a 38.1 per cent three-point shooter over six-and-a-half seasons.
Meanwhile, the Bucks acquire two expiring contracts, giving them increased flexibility for the future.
Antetokounmpo, 31, has spent his entire 13-year career with the Bucks, helping them win their first NBA title in 50 years in 2021.
However, following the team’s title run, the Bucks suffered early exits, with a second-round loss to the Boston Celtics in 2022, then three straight first-round losses in the last three playoffs.
They most recently lost to the Finals-bound Indiana Pacers in five games, with the Greek forward averaging 33.0 points, 15.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists in the 4-1 series loss.
Antetokounmpo’s potential departure has been rumoured since Milwaukee lost last April. Following the defeat, Charania reported that Antetokounmpo was “open-minded” about leaving Milwaukee and wished to discuss his future with the team’s front office.
Still, the most concrete reporting to break on the possibility of an Antetokounmpo deal came on Jan. 28, when Charania said that the superstar was "ready for a new home," and that the Bucks were listening to trade offers.
In the lead-up to deadline day, The Athletic's Sam Amick reported that the offers Milwaukee had received for its franchise player were "underwhelming," and both Amick and NBA insider Marc Stein stated that it's possible the saga extends into the off-season.
Now it appears it will, with NBA insider Jake Fischer also reporting one team executive said the Bucks "were never serious" about moving Antetokounmpo.
More, The Athletic's Eric Nehm reported that Antetokounmpo "still plans on playing once he has fully recovered from his right calf strain to help the Bucks make a push for the post-season."
Charania also added that teams involved in trade discussions with the Bucks on Antetokounmpo believe that Milwaukee feels it can still build a contender around the Greek Freak this summer.
