The Warriors and the Knicks continue to circle around Giannis Antetokounmpo as the trade deadline approaches. Last month, the Greek Freak pledged his loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks, but then the latest reports revealed that the franchise is listening to offers to trade the 10x All-Star. Amid this chaos, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers has put his foot down with a statement that few teams in the league would want to hear.

“Giannis has said everything we need to hear,” Rivers stated while speaking to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Hannah Storm, Michael Malone, and Kendrick Perkins. “He wants to be a Buck and loves the city. That’s all I can go by as a coach right now. Has it been difficult? Yeah. Your players, you know, every day have to hear stuff every single day, not just about their best player, but they’re thrown into the mix as well.”

He continued, “You know, my favorite day of the year this year will be the day after the trade deadline. That’ll be my favorite day. Because I think everyone’ll be here, and we can get to, you know, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Antetokounmpo himself has said he will never request a trade from the Bucks, and he’s stayed true to his word thus far. Right now, even the team isn’t in a rush to trade its superstar.

Their preference is for a promising young talent and a substantial collection of draft picks. Should the offers remain inadequate until Thursday’s trade deadline, the Bucks will hold out for the offseason. Even the Warriors and the Knicks have failed to put an enticing package so far. Even though Giannis did not ask for a trade, he is “ready for a new home,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Further reports also hinted that Antetokounmpo had privately told the front office for months that the time feels right to move on after 12-plus seasons. As talks continue, a deal looks more realistic. One major issue is that Giannis is sidelined with a right calf injury and is expected to miss most of February.

While Doc Rivers and Giannis Antetokounmpo project commitment, history offers a cautionary tale. Damian Lillard spent over a decade as Portland’s steadfast cornerstone, publicly affirming his loyalty and signing a max extension in 2022.

Yet, after years of unfulfilled contention, he requested a trade in 2023 despite earlier assurances and was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster three-team move.

The Lillard saga underscores that, in the NBA, even the strongest public vows of allegiance can give way to private frustrations and, eventually, roster-shaking trades.

It’s possible teams could wait to officially trade for him until the offseason because of injury concerns. That could be the reason why Doc Rivers confidently believes the Bucks will keep Antetokounmpo on the roster for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

A new home becomes an option for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Even with Giannis in the lineup, the Bucks are 15-15 this season, which is one of the many reasons why they are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference with an 18-28 record. Teams have been on alert, especially the Golden State Warriors, who saw Jimmy Butler go down with a season-ending ACL injury. They need someone to carry the load alongside Stephen Curry, but their approach got some unexpected bad news.

Earlier, the Atlanta Hawks traded guard Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers for Duop Reath and two future second-round picks. Reports confirmed they now have seven future second-round picks at their disposal. Apart from the draft capital, they have freed up salary cap space after Trae Young’s surprising exit.

So they’re in the mix as well. That’s why the Warriors are staring at a “now or never” moment in their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Golden State can offer outright firsts in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032, plus swap rights extending across seven seasons. They also have young rotation pieces like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. Now it remains to be seen which final offer tempts the Bucks before the deadline.