The Milwaukee Bucks are keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo, at least for the rest of this season.
Hours before the NBA trade deadline, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Bucks have “indicated” to other teams their intentions to keep Antetokounmpo right now.
The Milwaukee Bucks have indicated to teams that they are keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline and will start making other trades, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026
Right after that, the Bucks pulled off a trade with the Phoenix Suns. According to Shams Charania, the Bucks traded Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to Phoenix for Nick Richards and Nigey Hayes-Davis.
This is a small salary trade the Bucks have made, and Charania added that more of these could be coming for Milwaukee with the Antetokounmpo pursuit over.
Over the last week, the Bucks have been focused on incoming calls for Giannis Antetokounmpo and canvassing the NBA for small salary trades. Milwaukee remains in talks to complete potentially more of the latter here on deadline day. https://t.co/LgjUvUs0CM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026
Richards has played in 28 games for the Suns, averaging just over 9 minutes per contest. Hayes-Davis has appeared in 27 games, but averages just 7.2 minutes, so neither player is anything more than a depth addition.
All four players involved in the swap are on expiring deals, so this is purely a salary swap that allows Phoenix to get below the tax.
