Fresh NBA Rumors Reveal Which Team Will Be 'Major Players' at 2026 Trade Deadline
The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly viewed within the NBA as a team willing and able to make a big splash ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, league executives were "near unanimous" in their belief that the Bucks are the team most likely to be "major players" at the deadline.
Bucks general manager Jon Horst has reportedly "canvassed the league" recently in hopes of landing talent to play alongside superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and an anonymous Eastern Conference executive suggested to Bontemps and Windhorst that the Bucks have everything needed to make it happen, saying, "Milwaukee still has a first-round pick they can trade, and they're $14 million under the luxury tax. I've seen teams make chicken salad with less."
Antetokounmpo has been the subject of trade rumors dating back to the offseason, and while there has been speculation that the Bucks may look to move him prior to the deadline, the likelihood of that happening seems to have significantly lessened.
Per ESPN's Jamal Collier, team sources have said the Bucks are looking to add alongside Giannis rather than trade him. One Bucks source told Collier, "We always manage to pull something off."
The Bucks were aggressive during the offseason, re-signing the likes of Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis and Gary Trent Jr. They also waived the injured Damian Lillard and used the savings to sign veteran center Myles Turner.
That hasn't led to ideal results for the Bucks, as they are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-24 record, but some of that can be attributed to Giannis missing 14 games due to injury.
Team and league sources told Collier that they believe the Bucks' best opportunity to improve before the deadline may be taking on a significant contract with term remaining. Miami Heat wing Andrew Wiggins and Charlotte Hornets wing Miles Bridges were mentioned as possibilities.
Portis has reportedly been shopped by the Bucks in "exploratory" talks with the Sacramento Kings on Keon Ellis and Malik Monk, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The Bucks have a lot of work to do in terms of shaping themselves into contenders, but if they are indeed committed to keeping Antetokounmpo, then their best shot at keeping him happy may be to make some big moves and attempt to push their way into the playoffs.
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