John Henson Says Giannis Once Rejected Jimmy Butler, Khris Middleton Trade for Bucks

While the Milwaukee Bucks did eventually move on from Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly helped to shoot down at least one blockbuster swap involving the three-time All-Star.

Former NBA big man John Henson, who played seven seasons in Milwaukee, said Wednesday on SiriusXM NBA Radio that Antetokounmpo advised against a deal sending Middleton out and bringing in Jimmy Butler:

A 2018 report linked Butler to the Bucks, which would fit with Henson's comment that this was "a long time ago." Back then, Butler was in the midst of his standoff with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Assuming that timeline is correct, Giannis' intervention is a little surprising.

Heading into the 2018-19 season, Butler was widely considered to be a better player than Middleton. He was fresh off averaging 22.2 points per game and earned All-NBA and All-Defensive team honors while helping the Wolves reach the playoffs.

Perhaps Antetokounmpo was put off by all of the drama, which only got worse before Minnesota found a willing trade partner in the Philadelphia 76ers. Maybe the two-time MVP felt a sense of loyalty to Middleton given their time together as teammates.

Things ultimately worked out well, as Middleton played a key role on the Bucks when they won a championship in the 2020-21 season.

Henson's anecdote is enlightening if only because Milwaukee has steadily dismantled its championship-winning squad. Jrue Holiday got flipped in a trade for Damian Lillard. Middleton went to the Washington Wizards ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. Brook Lopez just left as a free agent.

Most recently, the Bucks waived Lillard in order to accommodate a reported $107 million contract for former Pacers center Myles Turner.

Antetokounmpo doesn't have veto power over the front office, nor is he the one making all of these personnel decisions. Still, it stands to reason general manager Jon Horst has sought his input on the bigger trades and free-agent signings because that's what organizations typically do with their franchise stars.

Waiving Lillard, or at least poaching Turner, may not have been an exception in that regard.