<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-the-trade-calls-bucks-making-complement-brook-lopez');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: The trade calls Bucks are making to ‘complement’ Brook Lopez');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-trade-calls-Bucks-are-making-to-complement-Brook-Lopez.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: The trade calls Bucks are making to ‘complement’ Brook Lopez</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T14:40:54-08:00">December 19th, 2:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T14:40:54-08:00">December 19th, 2:40pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-doc-rivers-gets-real-amazing-opportunity-coach-giannis-antetokounmpo">Milwaukee Bucks are riding high</a> after their recent NBA Cup <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-brook-lopez-leaving-las-vegas-500000-draws-hilarious-response">championship victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder</a> on Tuesday in Las Vegas. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for a Bucks team that started out the season 2-8 but has since rebounded to push themselves into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.</p><p>After their disastrous start to the campaign, there were rumors swirling that superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo may demand a trade from the franchise that drafted him back in 2013; however, now, those rumors have morphed into questions about how the Bucks will look to surround Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard with the best supporting talent available.</p><p>Recently, NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports took to Marc Stein’s account on Substack to <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/jake-fischer-latest-man-in-demand?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=153361674&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">shed some light</a> on some ways Milwaukee may look to improve itself on the interior.</p><p>“Milwaukee has made calls to explore ways to add more of a lob threat to complement Brook Lopez, according to league sources, while the Bucks’ incumbent center has generated no shortage of trade interest since last summer,” reported Fischer.</p><p>At this point, Brook Lopez doesn’t exactly profile as a lob threat but instead as one of the Bucks’ many perimeter floor spaces, a stark contrast to the back to the basket player he was during the majority of his career for the Brooklyn Nets.</p><p>Some names that might become available on the trade market that Milwaukee could potentially explore trading for include Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers as well as Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.</p><h2>Is the Bucks’ turnaround legit?</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Lopez-celebrates.jpg"><figcaption>Kyle Terada-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While NBA seasons are always going to be full of ups and downs, it’s rare for a campaign to do a complete 180 as quickly as the Bucks have so far this year.</p><p>Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dominant since the season began, but the Bucks as a whole appear much more connected on the defensive end as of late, and role players like Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green have added some much needed outside shooting after rough starts to the year.</p><p>It also helps that Khris Middleton recently returned to the lineup from an injury that caused him to miss the first chunk of the season.</p><p>In any case, the Bucks will next take the floor on Friday evening on the road vs the Cleveland Cavaliers, looking to salvage their first win of the season against their central division rivals. That game will tip off at 7:30 PM ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: The trade calls Bucks are making to ‘complement’ Brook Lopez

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpo-brother-retirement-rumors-achilles-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brother dishes on retirement rumors amid Achilles injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bucks-news-Giannis-Antetokounmpos-brother-keeps-it-real-on-retirement-rumors-amid-Achilles-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brother dishes on retirement rumors amid Achilles injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-11T13:13:42-08:00">December 11th, 1:13pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-11T13:14:27-08:00">December 11th, 1:14pm</time><address><a>Kris Pursiainen</a>Kris Pursiainen is an Associate Editor for all sports based in the NJ/NYC area. Kris brings several years of experience reporting on and writing about professional teams to the table. With experience all over the country as a New York Knicks, New York Jets, New York Mets, Super Bowl LVIII, and Big East beat reporter, Kris has been breaking news and reporting on the NBA, NFL, MLB, and college basketball landscapes for years. Kris is a proud graduate of Fordham University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Soon after the 2023-24 Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff run came to its disappointing end, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-thanasis-antetokounmpo-diagnosed-with-brutal-injury-after-first-round-exit-vs-pacers">Thanasis Antetokounmpo received terrible news</a>. The brother of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered what was revealed to be an Achilles injury during a workout. And with his contract having ended at the end of the season, the elder Antetokounmpo has yet to sign with an NBA team.</p><p>Antetokounmpo recently cleared up rumors that he’ll retire from the NBA before returning to the court. The key role player has <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2024/12/09/thanasis-antetokounmpo-plans-to-return-after-achilles-injury/76806859007/" rel="noopener">a timeline for his return</a> to the league that he isn’t sharing publicly at this time, per Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.</p><p>“Now about seven months after his injury, Thanasis has a timeline for a return in his head but he does not want to disclose it publicly just yet,” Owczarski wrote. “But he said he’s hit every marker in his rehab early and is confident that he will be back in the NBA as soon as he’s able.”</p><p>Former NBA player <a href="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/latest-news/jeff-teague-on-why-thanasis-antetokounmpo-is-very-valuable-to-the-bucks" rel="noopener">Jeff Teague has shared on his podcast</a> that he thinks the Bucks lost the first two games of the 2021 NBA Finals because Thanasis had COVID-19 and was not able to travel with the team.</p><p>“That’s why we went down 0-2. Giannis was messed up,” said Teague. “Like him and his brother, bro, they got some different kind of connection. He can’t function or play if he doesn’t see his brother. I’m being for real. It was different, bro.”</p><p>It’s clear that Thanasis Antetokounmpo is valuable to the Bucks in a unique way. And when he does eventually make his return to the NBA, it would not be surprising to see him sign in Milwaukee.</p><h2><b>Thanasis Antetokounmpo wants to make his NBA return ASAP</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Thanasis-Dame-Lillard-Bucks.jpg"><figcaption>Benny Sieu-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After the elder Antetokounmpo suffered the Achilles injury, he did not think about his NBA career. The forward has played for Greece’s national basketball team when possible for almost a decade. And he told Owczarski that not being able to help Greece qualify for the Olympics was his biggest concern.</p><p>“Free agency was cool but I’m an amazing athlete so I’m coming back either way,” Antetokounmpo said. “If I come back September or I come back December, January, or February it’s OK. I understand. I already know that. This is the fight for the Olympics, a chance to fight with my brothers. There are two jerseys I love wearing the most and one of them is the national team. It was heartbreaking.”</p><p>But this is the Thanasis who made an unrealistically quick recovery from the case of COVID-19 that kept him apart from the Bucks in the NBA Finals so he could be there for his brother and their team. So, according to Owczarski, he had surgery as soon as possible so he could watch his younger brother become Greece’s first-ever Black flag bearer.</p><p>Antetokounmpo also spoke beamingly of his recovery process – and the fervor with which he’s approached it.</p><p>“I’m very, very dedicated,” Thanasis told Owczarski. “And I’m patiently aggressive. I’m happy I’m in the final stages of it. So, I’m very excited.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brother dishes on retirement rumors amid Achilles injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-bucks-label-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-rumor-fantasy-world');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bucks label Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors a ‘fantasy world’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bucks-label-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-trade-rumors-a-fantasy-world.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bucks label Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors a ‘fantasy world’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-05T11:19:58-08:00">December 5th, 11:19am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-05T11:19:58-08:00">December 5th, 11:19am</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Milwaukee Bucks saw their seven game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday evening with a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-doc-rivers-reveals-major-reason-behind-loss-to-hawks">home loss to the Atlanta Hawks. </a><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpo-best-stretch-fuels-bucks">Giannis Antetokounmpo once again</a> put up a mammoth stat line in this one but didn’t get a ton of help from his Bucks supporting cast, as Milwaukee’s shooters largely struggled from beyond the arc.</p><p>Still, vibes in Milwaukee are undoubtedly a lot better now than they were a few weeks ago when the team was stumbling out of the gates, a time in which some were speculating that a potential Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes could be on the horizon.</p><p>Now, however, more <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5971428/2024/12/05/nba-bucks-knicks-magic-no-panic/" rel="noopener">light is being shed</a> on why there isn’t much validity to those rumors.</p><p>“By the time the Bucks fell to 2-8 on Nov. 10, all those teams that would love for Antetokounmpo to ask for a trade started wondering if the panic that would preempt that sort of superstar move might set in a whole lot sooner than expected,” reported Sam Amick of The Athletic. “Yet while league sources say the Bucks have continued to tell interested teams, in essence, that they’re living in a fantasy world with these sorts of superstar desires, that didn’t keep the league-wide chatter from growing louder by the loss.”</p><p>Winning does indeed have a way of quieting down turmoil around an organization, and the Bucks have been doing quite a bit of that as of late.</p><h2><b>Have the Bucks turned a corner?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Antetokounmpo-drives.jpg"><figcaption>Michael McLoone-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>A quick glance at the teams the Bucks defeated during their seven game winning streak would reveal that they weren’t exactly tearing through a gauntlet of championship contenders, but considering that this is the same team that has dropped games to teams like the Brooklyn Nets so far this year, Bucks fans will take any win they can get.</p><p>If it weren’t for Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Giannis Antetokounmpo would be having the clear best season of any player in the league right now, carrying the Bucks on both ends of the floor while his supporting cast struggles to get themselves together.</p><p>The chatter around head coach Doc Rivers and his job security has quieted at least for now, and it’s certainly helping the Bucks’ cause that the Eastern Conference playoff picture isn’t looking particularly daunting at the moment.</p><p>In any case, the Bucks will look to get back in the win column on Friday evening on the road vs the Boston Celtics.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bucks label Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors a ‘fantasy world’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-rockets-stance-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-comes-into-focus');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Rockets’ stance on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade comes into focus');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-rumors-Rockets-stance-on-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-trade-comes-into-focus.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Rockets’ stance on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade comes into focus</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-20T11:44:07-08:00">November 20th, 11:44am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-20T12:01:09-08:00">November 20th, 12:01pm</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a Senior Associate Editor with ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP,  he's writing sports betting predictions for numerous sites across North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpo-3-word-post-after-hornets-loss">The Milwaukee Bucks are down bad</a> to begin the 2024-25 season, which has<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/perfect-giannis-antetokoumpo-trade-nets-offer-bucks"> trade buzz surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>. But, the Houston Rockets won’t be one of those teams to pursue The Greek Freak if the Bucks did actually make him available.</p><p>The 10-5 Rockets are committed to their young core and <a href="https://x.com/KellyIko/status/1859317443878937083" rel="noopener">have no interest</a> in pulling off a blockbuster deal. Via Kelly Iko:</p><p>“The Rockets are not interested in breaking up their core for Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources tell The Athletic. Houston, sitting at 10-5 and a game out of first in the West, remains focused on developing its young players as a collective.”</p><p>Houston is playing well, with Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun leading the way. While Giannis would certainly help, they’d have to include at least a couple of their young pieces to make a trade happen.</p><p>Milwaukee is sitting at 5-9 right now despite Giannis showing out. He’s averaging 31.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Damian Lillard is also putting up numbers but outside of the star duo, there hasn’t been a ton of production. Plus, Khris Middleton has still yet to play this season.</p><p>While the Rockets just lost a nailbiter to the Bucks, they’re a very promising squad. Aside from Green and Sengun, Houston has a nice mix of youth and experience. Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Steven Adams are leaders and have been around the Association for a while, while the young guns continue to improve.</p><p>It is hard to imagine any organization not giving up whoever the Bucks want if Giannis were actually available. We’re talking about arguably the most dominant player in the league. He is truly a game-changer on both ends of the floor.</p><p>All the trade speculation is just that at the moment — speculation. However, Houston appears to be happy with their roster as it stands.</p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Rockets’ stance on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade comes into focus

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-valuable-draft-pick-bucks-willing-to-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: The valuable draft pick Bucks are willing to trade for upgrade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-rumors-The-valuable-draft-pick-Bucks-are-willing-to-trade-for-upgrade.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: The valuable draft pick Bucks are willing to trade for upgrade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-17T17:35:28-08:00">November 17th, 5:35pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-17T17:41:36-08:00">November 17th, 5:41pm</time><address><a>Matt De Lima</a>Matt De Lima is an Associate Editor for NFL and college football at ClutchPoints. He has been covering sports for over 12 years at sites like Sports Illustrated, The Game Day, and countless others. Born and raised in California, he is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a diehard Hokies fan who now resides in southern Maryland.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>To say the Milwaukee Bucks are beholden to Giannis Antetokounmpo might be an understatement. In what can only be described as a concerted effort to add to the roster in any way possible, the Bucks appear willing to trade away every available future asset to appease their superstar’s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-suitors-bucks-know-theyre-ready-to-talk">potentially waning desires</a> to stay in Milwaukee. The latest buzz is that the Bucks are <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-all-my-latest-from-the-ef3" rel="noopener">willing to trade</a> their last tradeable first-round pick from the 2031 NBA Draft, per NBA insider Marc Stein via Jake Fischer.</p><p>“On his Bleacher Report livestream Friday, my colleague Jake Fischer reported that the Bucks do continue to explore the trade market for perimeter defensive help and are willing to part with their only tradeable first-round pick in 2031. But it’s a pick, Fischer stressed, that Milwaukee has made clear it values highly.”</p><p>It was reported a week ago by Stein that many teams had contacted the Bucks to let them know they would be interested should Antetokounmpo want to be traded away.</p><p>“No rival team expects the Bucks, even amid a 2-7 start, to show any willingness to discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo trades at this early juncture of the season,” reported Stein. “It is understood quite clearly in 29 other front offices that Antetokounmpo is only ever going to be made available for trade if he pushes for it.</p><p>“But a handful of teams out there have certainly begun planning for such an eventuality — and, in some cases, have already let the Bucks know that they will be ready to talk trade if team officials ever reach that point — even if Milwaukee has zero interest in such discussions as we speak.”</p><p>Milwaukee improved upon their slow start with back-to-back wins over Toronto and Detroit before losing on Saturday to Charlotte.</p><h2><b>Little is going right for Bucks</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Bucks-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-and-Damian-Lillard-on-the-bench.jpg"><figcaption>© Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Now 4-9, the Bucks are reeling from a recent loss to the Charlotte Hornets, which may have been stolen from them by bad officiating. After the loss, head coach Doc Rivers <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-damian-lillard-question-pool-report-game-losing-blown-call">blasted the refs</a>.</p><p>“I thought the final play was the ref blowing the call. This is back-to-back games now where on the final play, there’s been an incorrect call made,” Rivers said. “LaMelo Ball fell. He just fell down. Nobody was near him, slipped on his own. We come up with the ball, the game is over. Back-to-back games now, we’ve had a call made against us that was incorrect.</p><p>“It was clearly not a foul. When you watch the video the ref that called the foul was blocked out by one of our players. You can’t guess at the end of the game, both teams have played too hard.”</p><p>Giannis tried to keep it more upbeat, posting to social media.</p><p>“We keep building.”</p><p>The Bucks start a four-game homestead on Monday with upcoming games against Houston, Chicago, Indiana and Charlotte over the next six days.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: The valuable draft pick Bucks are willing to trade for upgrade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-suitors-bucks-know-theyre-ready-to-talk');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitors let Bucks know they’re ready to talk');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-trade-suitors-let-Bucks-know-theyre-ready-to-talk.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitors let Bucks know they’re ready to talk</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-10T11:27:03-08:00">November 10th, 11:27am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-10T11:27:03-08:00">November 10th, 11:27am</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpo-fiery-message-reporter-during-interview">Milwaukee Bucks have been reeling</a> so far on the young season leading up to Sunday’s home <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-vs-bucks-prediction-odds-pick-11-10-2024">matchup vs the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics</a>. The Bucks currently sit at 2-7 following Friday evening’s loss to the New York Knicks on the road, and murmurs have grown louder that superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could eventually opt to request a trade if the team’s struggles continue.</p><p>Now, NBA insider Marc Stein is <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-all-my-latest-from-the-733?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=151340616&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">clarifying those rumors</a>, per his account on Substack.</p><p>“No rival team expects the Bucks, even amid a 2-7 start, to show any willingness to discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo trades at this early juncture of the season,” reported Stein. “It is understood quite clearly in 29 other front offices that Antetokounmpo is only ever going to be made available for trade if he pushes for it.”</p><p>However, Stein noted that that hasn’t stopped some teams from preparing for such an event to possibly occur.</p><p>“But a handful of teams out there have certainly begun planning for such an eventuality — and, in some cases, have already let the Bucks know that they will be ready to talk trade if team officials ever reach that point — even if Milwaukee has zero interest in such discussions as we speak,” reported Stein.</p><h2><b>Will Antetokounmpo request a trade?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Antetokounmpo-vs-the-Knicks.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Antetokounmpo hasn’t given any public signals that he would demand a trade from the organization that selected him in the first round in 2013, but as he is now less than a month away from turning 30 years old, it’s certainly a possibility that he could want to maximize the remaining years of his prime with a team better suited to compete for a championship now.</p><p>Although Damian Lillard has provided plenty of firepower to the Bucks’ offense since their trade for him last offseason, the pick and roll partnership between he and Antetokounmpo, which was projected by some to be a diet version of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, has not remotely lived up to that standard, and the Bucks now sit well below the .500 mark since Doc Rivers took over for Adrian Griffin as head coach last summer.</p><p>If Antetokounmpo were to demand a trade, he would obviously have plenty of suitors around the league, from both teams in title contention now to those looking to usher in their next era.</p><p>In any case, the Bucks and Celtics are slated to kick off at 3:30 PM ET on Sunday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitors let Bucks know they’re ready to talk

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-heat-monitoring-giannis-antetokounmpo-other-superstars');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Heat monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo, other superstars');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-rumors-Heat-monitoring-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-other-superstars.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Heat monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo, other superstars</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-08T10:21:35-08:00">November 8th, 10:21am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-08T10:21:35-08:00">November 8th, 10:21am</time><address><a>Preston Byers</a>Preston Byers is an experienced writer and journalist who currently serves as an associate editor for ClutchPoints and as a staff writer at The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle, where he covers sports in the Mahoning Valley. Previously, Preston worked as an associate editor for Dot Esports and a site expert for FanSided's Union and Blue.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Miami Heat</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Miami Heat are not off to a hot start; after a disappointing year, Miami has a 3-4 record heading into its 2023 NBA Finals rematch vs. the Denver Nuggets tonight. And as the team continues to struggle, Pat Riley and Co. may be inclined to push all of their proverbial chips in and finally trade for a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-not-seeking-trade">superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>.</p><p>Since losing LeBron James in free agency in 2014, the Heat have reportedly chased after numerous superstars, including Kevin Durant and most recently, Damian Lillard last offseason. When Lillard was ultimately dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks, it seemed like the Heat had missed their chance and the Bucks, one of Miami’s chief rivals in the Eastern Conference playoffs, had managed to regain their footing after an early exit in the 2023 postseason courtesy of the Heat.</p><p>Things have not worked out as expected, though; the Bucks, again without a healthy Antetokounmpo, were knocked out of last season’s playoffs in the first round after a tumultuous season during which the team fired its first-year head coach. Even with a former title-winning coach in Doc Rivers taking over midseason and having the entire preseason this year to spark a rebound for the Bucks, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-damian-lillard-addresses-panic-in-milwaukee-amid-slow-start-to-season">Milwaukee is 2-6</a>, which puts the team third-from-last in the Eastern Conference.</p><p>Although the Heat are not in a much better spot in the standings at the moment, Miami, unlike Milwaukee, still has plenty of draft capital and young players to trade if necessary. And that is why the Heat, moreso than most other teams, are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-landing-spots-potential-bucks-trade">actively “monitoring” Antetokounmpo</a>, as well as numerous other star players around the league, according to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-its-too-early-panic-about-bucks-76ers-siegels-scoop">ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel</a>.</p><p>“Going after the best of the best is always the name of the game for the Heat, which is why nobody should be surprised to see Anthony Edwards, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and De’Aaron Fox be some of the names that this organization is intrigued by,” Siegel wrote. “While none of these three All-Stars will be traded this season, all of them carry question marks about their immediate futures with their respective organizations.</p><p>“If things go south in Minnesota after dealing Karl-Anthony Towns and all the ownership questions that exist, could Edwards seek new digs? Will Antetokounmpo ask out of Milwaukee if they fail to steer the ship in the right direction, and does Fox potentially hit the open market after not agreeing to a new extension with Sacramento? These are situations that the Heat are monitoring and keeping their options open for moving forward.”</p><h2><b>Could Giannis Antetokounmpo force his way out of Milwaukee and to Heat?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bucks-forward-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-34-sits-on-the-bench-after-a-128-126-loss-to-the-Miami-Heat-during-game-five.jpg"><figcaption>© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>It would certainly not be easy for Miami to convince any of the aforementioned stars’ teams to execute a trade involving those players, but Miami has often been mentioned as one of the most desirable locations in the NBA, and, as seen by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-damian-lillard-heat-trade-request-blazers">Lillard’s trade saga</a> during the summer of 2023, there are players that have the Heat near the top of their preferred destinations.</p><p>If Antetokounmpo were like other superstars, many of whom have requested trades or left in free agency once their team’s fortunes begin to sour, he would likely be close to asking out of Milwaukee. But Antetokounmpo, who was drafted by the Bucks in 2013 and led the franchise to its first NBA title in 50 years in 2021, seems to have a genuine affinity for his adoptive home.</p><p>The Bucks are also not inclined to make a move dealing Antetokounmpo or Lillard soon, considering they parted ways with almost every one of their future draft picks in building this current team. Therefore, the hope is that their star trio — Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and Khris Middleton — can get and remain healthy, especially as they near the playoffs.</p><p>The last time Antetokounmpo was not injured in the postseason was in 2022, when he nearly led the Bucks past the eventual conference champion Boston Celtics without Middleton. The ‘Greek Freak’ either missed or was not 100% for most of Milwaukee’s shocking first-round loss to the Heat in 2023, and earlier this year, Antetokounmpo suffered what would prove to be a season-ending injury in the fourth-to-last game of the regular season. Without their star player, the Bucks lost in six games to the Indiana Pacers in the first round.</p><p>After last night’s win vs. Utah, Milwaukee will try to string together a second consecutive win tonight in New York vs. the Knicks.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Heat monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo, other superstars

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-very-unlikely-trade-target-knicks');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘very unlikely’ trade target for Knicks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-rumors-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-very-unlikely-trade-target-for-Knicks.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘very unlikely’ trade target for Knicks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-08T09:43:33-08:00">November 8th, 9:43am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-08T09:43:33-08:00">November 8th, 9:43am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the Milwaukee Bucks currently struggling to start the season, trade rumors have heated up, and<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-not-seeking-trade"> Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name has come up</a> in them. There are several teams reportedly monitoring the situation, including the New York Knicks.</p><p>Last week, Marc Stein mentioned that the Knicks could be in play for Antetokonmpo after trading for Karl-Anthony Towns, but now it’s looking like it’s <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/11/07/sports/knicks-need-to-focus-on-core-issues-not-giannis-antetokounmpo/" rel="noopener">unlikely that they’ll do it</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘very unlikely’ trade target for Knicks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-bucks-seeking-trade-problems');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bucks seeking trade, but there are problems');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-rumors-Bucks-seeking-trade-but-there-are-problems.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bucks seeking trade, but there are problems</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-08T07:45:59-08:00">November 8th, 7:45am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-08T15:40:30-08:00">November 8th, 3:40pm</time><address><a>Preston Byers</a>Preston Byers is an experienced writer and journalist who currently serves as an associate editor for ClutchPoints and as a staff writer at The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle, where he covers sports in the Mahoning Valley. Previously, Preston worked as an associate editor for Dot Esports and a site expert for FanSided's Union and Blue.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Milwaukee Bucks finally got back in the win column Thursday night with a 123-100 home victory against the lowly Utah Jazz, snapping a six-game losing streak. But many questions still remain for Milwaukee, which is reportedly looking to upgrade its roster ASAP.</p><p>Although<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-not-seeking-trade"> two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> has been the subject of rumors amid a 2-6 start to the new NBA season, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst indicated that the Bucks will try to hang on to Antetokounmpo as long as they can. Instead, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/42191100/nba-intel-trade-talk-milwaukee-embiid-updates-warriors" rel="noopener">they are trying</a> to add some more pieces around him to dig themselves out of an early-season hole.</p><p>“The speculation is true. The Bucks are indeed starting to canvas the league for a trade, league executives told ESPN. But no, not <i>that</i> trade,” Windhorst wrote. “The concept of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo reaching the trade market is ripe for rumors and trade machine computations, but it’s not a reality as of now for Antetokounmpo or the Bucks, sources said.</p><p>“Teams have let the Bucks know in recent months they would make an offer for the Greek Freak if that day ever comes. But those are incoming calls, not outgoing, and it’s likely to remain that way.</p><p>“Milwaukee is making trade calls looking for some help for Antetokounmpo <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-damian-lillard-addresses-panic-in-milwaukee-amid-slow-start-to-season">and Damian Lillard</a>, as Khris Middleton’s absence from offseason ankle surgeries extends and the team manages a 2-6 start.</p><p>“But the Bucks are going to have a tough time finding anything substantial. Because Milwaukee is in the second apron of the luxury tax, it is prohibited from aggregating salaries to make a deal and from taking back more money than it sends out.”</p><h2><b>Bucks have few trade options because of salary cap situation</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-and-Damian-Lillard-sharing-the-floor.jpg"><figcaption>© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>As is the case with most teams with multiple highly paid superstars, the Bucks face heavy restrictions due to how much they’ve already spent on their payroll. According to Spotrac, Milwaukee ranks third in the NBA in terms of total cap allocations at $207.7 million, which puts them behind just the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns.</p><p>The Bucks are over the first apron ($178.1 million) by nearly $20 million and over the dreaded second apron ($188.9 million) by about $6.5 million, joining the Suns, Wolves, and Boston Celtics as the only teams who currently exceed the second apron.</p><p>The harshest restrictions of second-apron teams include being unable to combine outgoing player salaries in a trade, receiving more salary than what is sent out in a trade, using the midlevel exception, and trading multiple players in a single deal.</p><p>Therefore, the Bucks, if they want to improve their team, will have to get creative in how they do so.</p><p>Trading star players like Antetokounmpo and Lillard certainly doesn’t improve the team, and the team has traded away almost every one of their future draft picks, so players such as<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-khris-middleton-injury-update-milwaukee-2024-25-season"> the oft-injured Middleton</a>, center Brook Lopez, forward Bobby Portis, or wing Pat Connaughton may ultimately be the only options to be moved this season.</p><p>The Bucks will try to keep winning as they visit New York and play the Knicks on Friday night.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bucks seeking trade, but there are problems

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-not-seeking-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo not seeking trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Bucks-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-not-seeking-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo not seeking trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-06T17:32:18-08:00">November 6th, 5:32pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-06T17:32:18-08:00">November 6th, 5:32pm</time><address><a>David Yapkowitz</a>David Yapkowitz is an NBA Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a credentialed reporter based in Los Angeles who covers the NBA/WNBA, NCAA/NCAAW and boys/girls high school basketball.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Milwaukee Bucks, who had championship aspirations when they made <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpo-sends-locked-in-warning-to-rest-of-nba-after-damian-lillard-trade">the trade for Damian Lillard</a> last season, have gotten off to a disappointing start this year at 1-6. That’s gotten the rumor mill churning regarding Bucks and possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade scenarios. But <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmvRftbdOxk" rel="noopener">despite the poor start</a> to the season, neither the Bucks nor Giannis himself are seeking a trade, as per Bobby Marks of ESPN.</p><p>As per Marks, “Anytime a team like that is struggling, there’s certainly going to be questions about the future of Giannis. He’s not looking to be moved. Milwaukee is not looking to move him. They’re looking to try to figure out kind of what went wrong with this roster to start the season here. So I think we can put away the fictional Giannis trade proposals for right now. There’s no concern on that front.”</p><p>That’s certainly good news for Bucks fans that neither the organization nor Giannis Antetokounmpo are looking at trade scenarios. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-opens-eyes-with-championship-or-trade-joke">Antetokounmpo certainly cause a sir with his comments</a> earlier this season that if the Bucks don’t win a championship, that the team might look to trade him.</p><p>But for now, it appears the Bucks want to make this team work with Antetokounmpo at the forefront.</p><h2><b>Giannis Antetokoumpo’s career with the Bucks</b></h2><p>Now in his 12th season in the NBA, all with the Bucks, Antetokounmpo has an argument for being the best player in franchise history. He helped lead the Bucks to their first championship since 1971 and last year he set a franchise record for most points scored in a single game.</p><p>Since he was drafted by the Bucks with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, he has been named to eight All-Star selections, won two MVP Awards and a Defensive Player of the Year Award.</p><p>During the Bucks title run in 2021, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.2 points, 12.8 rebounds. 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.2 assists while 56.9 percent shooting from the field in route to being named Finals MVP.</p><p>This season, Antetokounmpo has appeared in six of the Bucks’ first seven games. He missed the team’s last game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to an adductor injury. Prior to Monday’s game, he had been averaging 31.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 63.3 percent from the field.</p><p>Last season, the Bucks lost in the first round of the NBA Playoffs to the Indiana Pacers in six games with Antetokounmpo sidelined due to calf injury.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo not seeking trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-2-factors-belief-giannis-antetokounmpo-could-demand-bucks-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: 2 factors behind belief Giannis Antetokounmpo could demand Bucks trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-rumors-2-factors-behind-belief-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-could-demand-Bucks-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: 2 factors behind belief Giannis Antetokounmpo could demand Bucks trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-03T11:37:31-08:00">November 3rd, 11:37am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-04T10:21:24-08:00">November 4th, 10:21am</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-fans-clown-milwaukee-after-embarrassing-loss-to-grizzlies">The Milwaukee Bucks have gotten off to an embarrassing start</a> to the 2024-25 NBA season, currently sitting at 1-5 and with star power forward <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpo-positive-despite-frustrating-season-woes">Giannis Antetokounmpo publicly urging calmness</a>. The team most recently succumbed to a late Donovan Mitchell jumper on Saturday evening vs the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing their fifth straight game after an opening night victory vs the Philadelphia 76ers.</p><p>While nothing has materialized yet, there has been growing speculation in recent weeks that Antetokounmpo could become the latest NBA star to request a trade if things don’t improve quickly for the Bucks.</p><p>Recently, NBA insider Marc Stein took to his Substack to break down the <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-all-my-giannis-and-jokic?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=151112933&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">two biggest reasons</a> behind this belief.</p><p>“The knowledge that the Bucks, with only a 2031 first-round pick available to trade and very limited financial flexibility due to the fact that their payroll has already spilled beyond the league’s second luxury tax apron, will have a hard time making changes to a roster that has been routinely branded as old and slow and defensively challenged around Antetokounmpo,” reported Stein.</p><p>Stein also cited the interview that Antetokounmpo gave with Tania Ganguli of the New York Times in 2023 as a reason for this belief, an interview in which Antetokounmpo stated that “I don’t want to be 20 years on the same team and don’t win another championship.”</p><p>“A perception was born as soon as Antetokounmpo publicly shared those thoughts,” reported Stein.</p><h2><b>Can the Bucks turn things around?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Antetokounmpo-vs-Cleveland.jpg"><figcaption>Michael McLoone-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It’s still obviously very early in the season, and the Bucks have shown an ability to at least compete with upper echelon teams like the Cavaliers as well as the Boston Celtics, whom they hung in there with throughout most of the game last week.</p><p>Still, Bucks fans can’t be encouraged with what they’ve seen from the team so far, as Antetokounmpo continues to put up MVP caliber numbers but the team’s supporting cast has largely let him down, including a brutal shooting night from Lillard two games ago against the Memphis Grizzlies.</p><p>Much has been made of the team’s struggles since Doc Rivers took over as head coach midway through last season, as the team currently sits below .500 with Rivers manning the sidelines.</p><p>In any case, the Bucks will look to finally break the ugly losing streak on Monday evening on the road with a rematch vs the Cavaliers. That game is slated to kick off at 7:30 PM ET from Cleveland.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: 2 factors behind belief Giannis Antetokounmpo could demand Bucks trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-bucks-early-struggles-have-nba-execs-eyeing-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bucks early struggles have NBA execs eyeing Giannis Antetokounmpo trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/NBA-rumors-Bucks-early-struggles-have-NBA-execs-eyeing-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bucks early struggles have NBA execs eyeing Giannis Antetokounmpo trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-31T09:27:54-07:00">October 31st, 9:27am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-31T09:27:54-07:00">October 31st, 9:27am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Milwaukee Bucks have <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-landing-spots-potential-bucks-trade">endured a rough start</a> to the season; instead of being off to the races now that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have played a year together, they have lost three consecutive games to fall down to 1-3 on the year — a stretch that includes inexcusable defeats to teams that are widely expected to finish in the lottery in the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets.</p><p>It’s important to note that the Bucks are still without Khris Middleton, and his absence has made even more apparent the team’s lack of depth across multiple positions. But this start to the new campaign is far from what the Bucks had envisioned. And amid the team’s struggles, there are now rumblings that this could lead to an eventual trade request from Antetokounmpo, according to the sources of CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter.</p><p>Per Reiter, a top executive said they “wouldn’t be surprised if [an Antetokounmpo trade] happened by the trade deadline”, while an executive from a Western Conference team said that “teams are circling — and hopeful” that the Bucks <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/why-giannis-antetokounmpos-bucks-future-is-being-called-into-question-amid-ugly-start-teams-are-circling/" rel="noopener">reach the point</a> where they’ll see no other recourse but to hit the reset button.</p><p>Given Antetokounmpo’s status as a top-five player in the association, the Bucks won’t trade him away unless <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-doc-rivers-reason-why-giannis-antetokounmpo-could-force-exit-bucks">he requests to be traded first</a>. However, the Bucks have put all of their eggs in the Lillard basket — a maneuver that, thus far, hasn’t yielded much in the way of results.</p><p>The Bucks are financially-handicapped for years to come, which means that they are wedded to their current core — unless they decide to put the team in a state of upheaval once again after enduring a rough transition year during the 2023-24 season.</p><p>Moving forward, the Bucks have no choice but to hang on to Antetokounmpo and hope it works out for the best. He is under contract for two more seasons following the 2024-25 season anyway, so it’s not as if there’s a sense of urgency to trade him away.</p><h2><b>Where do Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks go from here?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-and-Damian-Lillard-on-the-floor-together.jpg"></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-doc-rivers-reveals-why-milwaukee-ran-out-of-gas-vs-celtics">Bucks’ roster is old</a>; Giannis Antetokounmpo is the youngest of the team’s core four of Damian Lillard (34 years old), Khris Middleton (33), and Brook Lopez (36). Even Bobby Portis, a major piece of their championship run in 2021, is going to turn 30 in February of next year.</p><p>It’s one thing if the team’s veteran core is supplemented with young pieces who can at least infuse the team with some energy. But their main role players are older than 30 years of age as well, (Taurean Prince is 30, Delon Wright and Pat Connaughton are 32) with the exception of Gary Trent Jr. (who is 26 years old).</p><p>It should not have come as a surprise to anyone that they lost to teams that are generally younger in the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls — with the Bucks running out of steam in the second half of both games.</p><p>The return of Middleton should help matters. It’s very early in the season as well, and they’ll be facing another team that lost to both the Nets and the Bulls in the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night in a bid to get back to winning ways.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bucks early struggles have NBA execs eyeing Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-doc-rivers-reason-why-giannis-antetokounmpo-could-force-exit-bucks');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: The Doc Rivers reason why Giannis Antetokounmpo could force exit from Bucks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/NBA-rumors-The-Doc-Rivers-reason-why-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-could-force-exit-from-Bucks.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: The Doc Rivers reason why Giannis Antetokounmpo could force exit from Bucks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-31T08:20:34-07:00">October 31st, 8:20am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-31T08:20:34-07:00">October 31st, 8:20am</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/bingeable">Sonny Giuliano</a>Sonny Giuliano is an experienced sports writer for ClutchPoints who has been covering the NFL, NCAA Football, NBA, and NCAA Basketball for well over a decade. Originally from the small town of Elba, New York, Sonny received his degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On January 23, 2024, the entire trajectory of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise was altered. On that day, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-reasons-behind-adrian-griffin-firing">Bucks decided to fire Adrian Griffin</a> in the midst of his first season as Milwaukee’s head coach, despite the fact that at the time he boasted a 30-13 record, which was second-best in the Eastern Conference at the time. Shortly after, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-doc-rivers-officially-hired-after-adrian-griffin-firing">the Bucks hired Doc Rivers to be their new head coach</a>, and since then, Milwaukee has won just 20 of their 46 regular season and postseason games.</p><p>For half a decade, the Bucks were one of the league’s best and most consistent franchises, but in less than a year’s time, Milwaukee has descended into chaos and controversy, and given <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-why-giannis-antetokounmpo-doesnt-care-awful-record-start-season">their 1-3 start to the 2024-25 season</a> and a brutal schedule ahead, it’s possible that things are only bound to get worse.</p><p>With the season just over one week old, the rumor mill is already ablaze with talk that in time, Giannis Antetokounmpo could end up being traded, with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-landing-spots-potential-bucks-trade">the Heat and the Nets being the two teams Giannis would prefer to go to</a>, and the Thunder lingering as a dark horse. A move of such magnitude would just require sign-off from Doc Rivers, who has <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/why-giannis-antetokounmpos-bucks-future-is-being-called-into-question-amid-ugly-start-teams-are-circling/" rel="noopener">accumulated power and pull</a> within the Bucks organization and is now “the key voice in basketball decisions,” per Bill Reiter of CBS Sports.</p><p>“They tell me it’s up to Doc now, that they’re going to wait 20 games and then see what Doc wants,” Reiter noted that one person familiar with the Bucks’ front-office inner-workings shared with him. “It sounds like it’s a mess.”</p><h2><b>Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar duo still searching for answers </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-and-Damian-Lillard-on-the-floor-together.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images </figcaption></figure><p>An alternate read on the downfall of the Milwaukee Bucks would be that when they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-damian-lillard-drops-eye-opening-admission-on-blazers-milwaukee-trade">decided to trade Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen and three 1st-round picks away for Damian Lillard</a>, willingly sacrificing one of the league’s best defenses in order to find a more suitable number two scoring option behind the Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Khris Middleton’s night-to-night impact — and availability — dwindling.</p><p>Looking at the numbers alone, you’d be inclined to say that this trade was a success. Since their partnership began last October, Giannis and Lillard are averaging a combined 55 points per game. But watch any Bucks game and you’ll see a tangible lack of chemistry between Milwaukee’s two alphas. <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/traditional?slug=traditional&amp;GroupQuantity=2&amp;TeamID=1610612749" rel="noopener">Look at the advanced stats</a>, and you’ll see that in four games this year, Giannis and Dame have a disappointing plus/minus of -4.8.</p><p>How Milwaukee responds over the course of the next two weeks, and how this partnership between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard continues to materialize, could send ripple effects throughout the entire league.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: The Doc Rivers reason why Giannis Antetokounmpo could force exit from Bucks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-landing-spots-potential-bucks-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2 preferred landing spots in potential Bucks trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/NBA-rumors-Giannis-Antetokounmpos-2-preferred-landing-spots-in-potential-Bucks-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2 preferred landing spots in potential Bucks trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-31T08:07:01-07:00">October 31st, 8:07am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-31T08:07:01-07:00">October 31st, 8:07am</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University while covering events like the 2023 NCAA Men's Final Four, the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona State men's swim and dive team. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>A 1-3 start for the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t exactly what they envisioned. After defeating a weak Philadelphia 76ers team without Joel Embiid or Paul George, they dropped three straight. As the Bucks square off against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, they could finish the month going 1-4.<br><br>A CBS Sports article highlighted that Antetokounmpo could <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/why-giannis-antetokounmpos-bucks-future-is-being-called-into-question-amid-ugly-start-teams-are-circling/" rel="noopener">either want out or be traded</a>.<br><br>After all, a clip of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-opens-eyes-with-championship-or-trade-joke">Antetokounmpo surfaced after saying he could be traded</a> if he doesn’t win another championship. Amidst the rough start for the Bucks, the rumor train has departed. <br><br>An Eastern Conference NBA executive has already heard the places believed to be Giannis’ would-be preferred destinations: “The teams I’ve heard are Miami (Heat) and New York — the Nets, not the Knicks.”</p><h2><b>Why does Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo want to go to the Heat or Nets?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-rumored-to-possibly-go-to-the-Heat-and-Nets-in-a-potential-trade.jpg"><figcaption>© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Heat have been the thorn in Antetokounmpo’s side for years. They were eliminated by them in 2020 and 2023. However, Heat president Pat Riley has a culture that Antetokounmpo is all about. Put your head down and work, with no complaints, and championship aspirations every year. </p><p>Both times the Heat eliminated the Bucks, they went on to the NBA Finals. Although they lost both times, they had the roster to get to the highest level in the NBA. Milwaukee was more talented but Miami’s culture truly paved the way both times the team squared off.</p><p>For the Brooklyn Nets, they have <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/BRK.html" rel="noopener">nearly $90 million</a> of their salary off the books heading into the 2025-26 season. Antetokounmpo could command another max contract, especially as the salary cap increases. He can also be the primary option for a team desperate for a star player.</p><p>The defense took a major step back since Mike Budenholzer was fired. Last season, they had a 115.8 defensive rating, marking them 19th in the NBA. This season, it’s down to 21st. Even though Jrue Holiday is now with the Boston Celtics, their defensive identity is present. Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez offer rim protection, <br><br>“I haven’t heard them mentioned, but yeah, if you’re Milwaukee you might just go, ‘I don’t give a f— what you want. If you want out, we’re getting the best deal we can.’ And Oklahoma City could offer a good one.”</p><p>Milwaukee is hoping to not trade away their franchise player. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-damian-lillard-trade-blazers-suns">Bucks traded for Damian Lillard</a> before the start of last season. The chemistry has been there between the two superstars. Regardless, it hasn’t translated over to wins. Unless Milwaukee starts winning games consistently, Antetokounmpo could be on his way out.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2 preferred landing spots in potential Bucks trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-bucks-expected-shop-trade-market');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bucks expected to shop trade market');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Bucks-expected-to-shop-trade-market.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bucks expected to shop trade market</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-25T11:37:46-07:00">October 25th, 11:37am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-25T12:12:58-07:00">October 25th, 12:12pm</time><address><a>Matt De Lima</a>Matt De Lima is an Associate Editor for NFL and college football at ClutchPoints. He has been covering sports for over 12 years at sites like Sports Illustrated, The Game Day, and countless others. Born and raised in California, he is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a diehard Hokies fan who now resides in southern Maryland.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Despite having limited tradeable assets and an inability to aggregate salaries in future trades, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bronny-james-lakers-debut-hides-rookie-should-talk-about-siegels-scoop">Milwaukee Bucks are expected to be active</a> ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline. Although the Bucks are unlikely to want to part with Bobby Portis, the contracts of Pat Connaughton ($9.4 million) and MarJon Beauchamp ($2.7 million) are movable, per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.</p><p>While there are many big trade targets this year, such as Kevin Durant or Jimmy Butler, a far more realistic target for the Bucks could be a reunion between Jerami Grant and Damian Lillard. The Portland Trail Blazers forward carries a big contract, but Milwaukee may be willing to temporarily go over the second tax apron. Either way, the Bucks must be creative to make the contract math work with few big-ticket tradeable assets.</p><h2><b>Bucks feeling intense pressure to win now</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Bucks-Pat-Connaughton-advancing-the-ball.jpg"><figcaption>© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Injuries derailed what could have been an NBA title for the Bucks during the 2023-24 season. Now most of the big teams in the East are likely trying to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/exclusive-celtics-fans-will-scoff-kenny-smith-claim-76ers-east-threats">figure out how to find a final piece</a> to be the push they need to capture the conference.</p><p>TNT’s Kenny Smith <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/djsiddiqi/2024/10/22/the-knicks-are-championship-contenders-with-karl-anthony-towns-says-kenny-smith/" rel="noopener">shared that sentiment</a> via DJ Siddiqi of Forbes.</p><p>“They’re all on the same plateau for the first time where the Eastern Conference is very top heavy,” said Smith. “Any of those teams can win the East. In years past, it’s just going to be these two teams and everybody else is just trying to get better. Those four teams are gunning for it now — the Bucks, the Celtics, the Knicks and the 76ers. They’re going for it, they’re going to try to win it all this year. Anything else might be a disappointment to them this year.”</p><p>Milwaukee started the season strong with a dominant 124-109 road win against the Philadelphia 76ers, although Philly was without Joel Embiid. The Bucks were also without key frontcourt piece Khris Middleton as he continues his recovery from offseason surgeries on both of his ankles.</p><p>Head coach Doc Rivers is certainly ready to lead the Bucks and not listening to the detractors, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.</p><p>“I’m eighth in wins. I’m fourth in playoff wins,” Rivers said. “My dad used to say something, ‘If somebody said something you would never listen to, why would you ever pay attention to it?’ You know what I mean? “My numbers don’t lie. I’ve coached for 25 years and I’ve had two losing seasons. And the two losing seasons, we were trying to f—— lose, yeah. So I’ve made the playoffs — whatever, I don’t even know — 21 out of 25 years.”</p><p>The Bucks have four games scheduled between now and the end of October, including three road contests against the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bucks expected to shop trade market

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-what-bucks-told-brook-lopez-trade-talks');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: What Bucks told Brook Lopez about trade talks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NBA-rumors-What-Bucks-told-Brook-Lopez-about-trade-talks.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: What Bucks told Brook Lopez about trade talks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-09-01T08:59:57-07:00">September 1st, 8:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-09-01T08:59:57-07:00">September 1st, 8:59am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-most-to-blame-for-disappointing-playoff-series-loss-to-pacers">Milwaukee Bucks had a disappointing ending to their season</a> last year after all of the hype surrounding them when they acquired Damian Lillard. Injuries caught up to them in the end, with Lillard and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/is-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-playing-vs-pacers-latest-game-2-injury-update">Giannis Antetokounmpo missing games during their first-round matchup</a> against the Indiana Pacers. It’s also hard to forget that the Bucks made a coaching change in the middle of the season, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-why-adrian-griffin-firing-wasnt-shock-to-milwaukee-members">firing Adrian Griffin</a> and replacing him with Doc Rivers.</p><p>This season could be different for the Bucks, and with the ability to have a full season with Lillard and Antetokounmpo under their belts and Rivers being able to implement his system, they should be ready to roll. Unfortunately, that could also mean players getting traded such as Brook Lopez, but the Bucks gave the center some encouraging news about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNKsyoB7H_k" rel="noopener">any of the rumors</a> that he’s heard during the offseason.</p><figure class="op-interactive"></figure><p>On The Hoop Collective, Brian Windhorst shared some insight on what he gathered from Lopez and Bucks trade rumors.</p><p>“As of right now, I’ve been told firmly that they are not trading him,” Windhorst said. “And so is Brook. Brook heard some of the rumors and said, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ They’re like, ‘No, we’re not trading you.'”</p><h2><b>Brook Lopez has been the defensive anchor of the Bucks</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Brook-Lopez.jpg"><figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Brook Lopez has been an important part of the Milwaukee Bucks since coming to the team and has been a major key to their defense. He and Giannis Antetokounmpo have worked hand-in-hand when it comes to the Bucks’ interior defense, which helped them win the NBA championship against the Phoenix Suns in 2021.</p><p>Not only is Lopez important to their defense, but he offers a lot of offense. He’s not just a traditional center that lives in the paint but can also step out and space the floor. That gives the Bucks the option to do a lot of things on offense and opens the floor for players like Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who like to drive the ball and get into the paint.</p><p>Lopez is getting older and hasn’t been the same player that he was years ago, which was probably why he was in trade rumors to begin with. The Bucks have already shown that willing to improve their team no matter what, most specifically when they traded Jrue Holiday in part of acquiring Lillard.</p><p>It’s not certain how much the Bucks could get in return for Lopez, but right now it looks like they’re going to go into the season with him and try to win another championship. The Bucks added a few key pieces to their team in free agency, which includes Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Delon Wright. The shooting and defense that those three provide will be an important part of the team when the season starts.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: What Bucks told Brook Lopez about trade talks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bucks-news-zero-intentions-stance-brook-lopez-trade-rumors');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bucks’ ‘zero intentions’ stance on Brook Lopez trade rumors');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bucks-news-Milwaukees-zero-intentions-stance-on-Brook-Lopez-trade-rumors.jpg"></figure><h1>Bucks’ ‘zero intentions’ stance on Brook Lopez trade rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-07-26T10:29:28-07:00">July 26th, 10:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-07-26T10:29:28-07:00">July 26th, 10:29am</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Brook Lopez has been a topic of discussion all offseason for the Milwaukee Bucks. After signing a two-year, $48 million contract last offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Lopez now finds himself making $23 million in the final year of his deal with the Bucks. That is why there have been <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-brook-lopez-clint-capela-lead-vast-trade-market-for-centers">trade rumors fixated</a> on the Bucks center.</p><p>The market for centers across the league is small right now. In fact, the market as a whole is very quiet due to many teams making the moves they wanted to in free agency. The new first and second tax aprons have limited what certain teams are able to do, which is why players like Lopez, who is making over $20 million in a season, haven’t generated all that much buzz.</p><p>Still, there have been questions about Lopez’s long-term future with the Bucks, especially since he 36 years old and not getting any younger. With the offseason lingering on, Bucks general manager Jon Horst set the record straight on where the organization stands with their starting center, a player they view as a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5658320/2024/07/26/bucks-jon-horst-qa-giannis-lillard/" rel="noopener">valuable</a> part of their potential success heading into the 2024-25 season.</p><p>“First of all, rumors and chatter are what makes the league so interesting and so fun, so people are always going to speculate and talk about it. And I typically don’t talk about any of this stuff with the media, but I will say, because Brook is so core to who we are, we have zero intentions of trading Brook,” Horst told The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “Of course he has value around the league. That’s a credit to him. But we’ve not engaged in any real conversations about trading Brook. There are teams that have a lot of value and interest in him. It’s my job to take calls, receive calls, have conversations, but Brook has been and will continue to be core to who we are.”</p><p>A variety of rumors have been linked to Lopez this offseason regarding whether the organization would consider trading him to help fix their financial problems as a second apron team. Recently, ClutchPoints reported that it would come as a surprise to many around the league if the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sources-lauri-markkanen-brandon-ingram-kyle-kuzma-trade-scenarios">Bucks were to part ways</a> with Lopez this offseason.</p><p>Even though Horst’s job is to build a contending roster while also handling everyone’s emotions, his words truly reflect the notion that Milwaukee doesn’t intend on trading Lopez.</p><h2><b>Will Bucks keep Brook Lopez?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Brook-Lopez-shooting.jpg"><figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>As things currently stand, the Bucks have a payroll that exceeds $191 million, which is over $6 million above the second tax apron for the 2024-25 season. This means that Milwaukee faces major ramifications in terms of matching salaries in trades, not being able to aggregate salaries, and they are very limited in terms of moves they can make to pursue talent that becomes available during the season.</p><p>It appears as if the Bucks are confident in the team they have assembled and are comfortable with the idea of running things back, despite losing in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back years.</p><p>Lopez has been a huge part of the organization’s success, and he was a big reason why they were able to secure a championship in 2021. Since then, Lopez has continued to make a positive impact on the Bucks, yet the team has been unable to advance far in the postseason.</p><p>This is the main reason why Lopez, who also carries a hefty salary, was rumored to be on the trade block this summer.</p><p>Ultimately, trading Lopez isn’t the solution for the Bucks. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-khris-middleton-undergoes-2-ankle-surgeries">Khris Middleton has been banged up</a> through the years, and this team has had trouble finding steady production outside of their starting rotation. Lopez has played his role perfectly, especially on defense, which is why Horst and the Bucks haven’t shown much interest in moving him.</p><p>Due to the fact that he is in the final year of his contract and one of the oldest players in the league, it may not be surprising to see the Bucks as Lopez’s final team.</p><p>“I hope that Brook retires as a Milwaukee Buck. That’s been the goal since we originally got him,” Horst continued. “His impact on our team defensively and rebounding is elite. It only gets better. It’s not declining. I mean, he’s an anomaly in how he just continues to get better and better and better.</p><p>“For Doc, who got to spend time with Brook personally last year, Brook holds an incredible value for Doc for what he does defensively and rebounding and offensively, the spacing he gives us, and especially Giannis, is unique.”</p><p>Horst also made sure to call Lopez a “core part” of the team when discussing the big man’s future and potentially retiring with the Bucks.</p><p>For the time being, Lopez is remaining with the Bucks, and he will very likely be their starting center on opening night. How the first few months of the 2024-25 season go for the Bucks will be very telling as to whether they will make any significant changes to their roster ahead of the trade deadline in February.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bucks’ ‘zero intentions’ stance on Brook Lopez trade rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-bucks-plan-fill-out-roster-final-move');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: How Bucks plan to fill out roster with final move');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/How-Bucks-plan-to-fill-out-roster-with-final-move.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: How Bucks plan to fill out roster with final move</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-07-15T11:59:31-07:00">July 15th, 11:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-07-15T11:59:31-07:00">July 15th, 11:59am</time><address><a>Owen Crisafulli</a>Owen Crisafulli is a Senior Editor and NFL Lead at ClutchPoints. He recently received his Masters in Business Administration from Nichols College. Previously, he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Sport Management and for a while ran his own sports website. Sports are his passion, and he thoroughly enjoys writing about thoughts and opinions that are related to the game. He has been a lifelong fan of the major professional teams in Boston and loves discussing all topics surrounding those teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-jayson-tatum-savagely-reminds-bucks-of-big-jrue-holiday-mistake">disappointing 2023-24 campaign</a>, the Milwaukee Bucks have been hard at work when it comes to beefing up their roster for the upcoming season. While they did lose Malik Beasley to the Detroit Pistons in free agency, they managed to bring in Taurean Prince and Delon Wright to help replace him.</p><p>For the most part, the Bucks roster is set in stone, but they do have <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-bargain-bin-free-agent-target-round-out-roster">one spot left to fill</a>, and it sounds like they have a plan for how to accomplish that. Milwaukee is looking to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5638084/2024/07/15/lauri-markkanen-brandon-ingram-trade-contract-latest-nba-notes/" rel="noopener">bring in another shooting guard</a> to shore up their rotation, which has resulted in them being in the sweepstakes for Gary Trent Jr., while also bringing in veterans like Will Barton for workouts.</p><p>“The Bucks are in the market to sign a shooting guard and are expected to conduct a workout this week in Las Vegas. Eleven-year NBA veteran Will Barton will be among the players working out for the Bucks this week, league sources said.”</p><p>“Milwaukee is also among several contenders pursuing the top free agent remaining, Gary Trent Jr., league sources said. Trent, the 25-year-old who averaged 13.7 points on 39.3 percent 3-point shooting for Toronto last season, is taking a patient approach to find the best opportunity for his seventh NBA campaign. The Raptors never made an offer for Trent to return this offseason, clearing the way for him to seek a new home.” – Shams Charania, The Athletic</p><h2><b>Bucks looking for one more guard to fill out their rotation</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Gary-Trent-Jr.-of-the-Raptors.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Losing Beasley, who shot 41.3 percent on threes last season, certainly hurts the Bucks, and it seems like they are trying to find a way to replace his knockdown shooting. Prince (39.6 percent) and Wright (36.8 percent) can both hit threes at a fairly high level, but in the event they go cold for a stretch of time, having another option in your back pocket is key.</p><p>Trent would be the most helpful addition for the Bucks, as he’s a solid spark plug scorer who could help take some of the offensive load off of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard’s shoulders. Trent wasn’t all that effective with the Toronto Raptors last year (13.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 42.6 FG%), but in the right role, he has a lot of value for a championship contender like Milwaukee.</p><p>Signing a cheaper veteran could be the more realistic move for the front office as they look to keep their salary as low as possible, which could lead to them going with a guy like Barton over Trent. Barton spent time playing in Spain and Puerto Rico last year, and after proving he’s still got some juice left in the tank, he could be precisely what Milwaukee is looking for off of the bench.</p><p>Regardless, it doesn’t seem like a massive flashy move is in the cards for the Bucks as they attempt to fill out their roster, but given the amount of talented players they already have at their disposal, there wouldn’t really be a big move that they have to make anyways. Whether or not Trent, Barton, or another unknown name ends up getting that spot, though, will be a storyline worth watching, and whoever they end up bringing in could have a sneaky important role with the team this upcoming season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: How Bucks plan to fill out roster with final move

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-spurs-linked-trade-former-all-star-center');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Spurs linked to trade for former All-Star center');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Spurs-linked-to-trade-for-former-All-Star-center.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Spurs linked to trade for former All-Star center</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-06-27T18:14:11-07:00">June 27th, 6:14pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-06-27T18:49:53-07:00">June 27th, 6:49pm</time><address><a>Brian Buyawe</a>Brian Buyawe is an NBA, NFL, NCAA Football, and NCAA Basketball writer for ClutchPoints. His advanced knowledge of basketball, football, and Formula One started at an early age, allowing him to provide in-depth analysis.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>There’s a lot happening in the NBA right now. From the rookie draft to the ongoing trades, the offseason is full of head-turning updates. Of course, with all the busy activity comes the rumors. Many speculate about potential trades and free-agent signings, and one of the teams being highly talked about is the San Antonio Spurs.</p><p>The Spurs are currently focused on one task: building around Victor Wembanyama. They <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/spurs-2024-nba-draft-grades-for-stephon-castle-timberwolves-trade">just drafted Stephon Castle</a> on Wednesday, adding another weapon beside their prized Frenchman. And by trading away Rob Dillingham, San Antonio acquired another future pick at their expense. Presently, it looks like the team’s next move might be pairing Wemby with a former All-Star center, namely, Brook Lopez.</p><p><a href="https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/nba-free-agency-trade-rumors-outlook-30-teams" rel="noopener">An article by</a> Matt Moore of The Action Network brings up the rumor.</p><p>“The Bucks aren’t being secretive about their designs on reshaping the roster, with Doc Rivers believing the core that contended between 2021 and 2024 needs a shake-up,” Moore wrote. “Brook Lopez is most consistently the name brought up as involved in discussions, with San Antonio among the interested teams.”</p><h2><b>How ideal is a Brook Lopez trade?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Brook-Lopez-scoring.jpg"><figcaption>© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Lopez has been a key starter for Milwaukee, averaging 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in the recently concluded season. Back during the Bucks’ 2022-23 campaign, the big man was named to the All-Defensive First Team. He was also part of the Milwaukee’s 2021 title victory.</p><p>While this all sounds nice, a potential Lopez trade is still somewhat baffling. After all, if the Spurs want role players that match Wembanyama’s age timeline, then acquiring a 36-year-old isn’t the most ideal decision.</p><p>One could argue that every young team needs a seasoned vet, and how Lopez could be just that for San Antonio. Still, what would it cost the Spurs to get the center? Lopez will definitely have quite the asking price, looking at how he continues to be productive for the Wisconsin-based squad. If the Spurs make a push for the big man, they’ll have to give up valuable assets.</p><p>All things considered, it remains to be seen how this could possibly play out smoothly.</p><h2><b>The Spurs continue to fortify Wembanyama’s supporting cast</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Former-Connecticut-guard-Stephon-Castle.jpg"><figcaption>Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Going back to the topic of Wemby’s supporting cast, as mentioned earlier, Stephon Castle just bolstered the team’s backcourt. An NCAA Champion with UConn, Castle averaged 16.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists with the Huskies. The guard will undoubtedly play a major role in the upcoming season, and many even predict that he’ll be inserted into the starting lineup immediately.</p><p>The Rob Dillingham trade might be questionable to some fans, but adding another future pick gives San Antonio more flexibility for shakeups in the coming years as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/spurs-news-victor-wembanyama-message-amid-anniversary-2023-nba-draft">Wembanyama continues to grow</a> into his prime. The Spurs have a long-term vision, and Wednesday’s draft marked another step forward.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Spurs linked to trade for former All-Star center

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-bucks-open-on-numerous-trade-fronts-ahead-of-2024-draft');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bucks ‘open’ on numerous trade fronts ahead of 2024 draft');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bucks-open-on-numerous-trade-fronts-ahead-of-2024-draft.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bucks ‘open’ on numerous trade fronts ahead of 2024 draft</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-06-24T14:31:17-07:00">June 24th, 2:31pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-06-24T14:31:17-07:00">June 24th, 2:31pm</time><address><a>Ryan Bologna</a>Ryan Bologna is an author at ClutchPoints. He studied journalism and communication at UConn.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Milwaukee Bucks are in full-blown win-now mode with a team built around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, and there reportedly <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/aggregate-2024-nba-mock-draft-paul-george-tyrese-maxey-free-agency-zach-lavine-trade-talks/" rel="noopener">are a ton</a> of trade possibilities on the table this offseason, including the No. 23 overall pick to help the team win in the immediate future, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.</p><p>Scotto also indicates that he has heard that Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton are available on the trade market for win-now upgrades as well <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/players-bucks-must-avoid-in-2024-nba-draft">for the Bucks</a>. However, it is not a lock that either player gets traded.</p><p>“Rival executives have also come away with the sense that Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton are available on the trade market if Milwaukee can make a notable win-now upgrade,” Scotto said. “Both players, however, have been mentioned as possible trade candidates in the past, and nothing has come of it. Portis finished as a Sixth Man of the Year finalist for the second straight year.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-best-options-for-no-23-pick-in-2024-nba-draft">The Bucks set off</a> a chain of events that played a part in the Boston Celtics winning the NBA Finals last year with the trade for Damian Lillard. With Jrue Holiday going to the Portland Trail Blazers and quickly being flipped to the Celtics, it strengthened Boston’s roster. Milwaukee is hoping that the pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard can stay healthier next season and find more success. Upgrades around the roster would be very helpful. There are multiple ways the Bucks can go to try to find those upgrades.</p><h2><b>What can the Bucks do to upgrade the roster this offseason?</b></h2><p>As mentioned above, the Bucks could trade the No. 23 pick to get an immediate impact player, but if that is not valuable enough to get something good back, Milwaukee could use the pick to upgrade the depth of the team. Scotto specifically mentioned drafting Isaiah Collier to improve the guard depth behind Lillard and prepare for when the veteran moves on.</p><p>“Should the Bucks remain in this slot and land Isaiah Collier, he’d represent a potential upgrade at backup point guard behind Damian Lillard and could become the point guard of the future,” Scotto wrote. “Earlier this season, Collier was considered the potential top overall pick and was one of the top players in his high school class.”</p><p>The Bucks could use the veterans in Portis and Connaughton as well to try to bring in new blood to the roster.</p><p>One thing is clear, the Bucks need to make moves not only to try to chase down the Celtics in the Eastern Conference, but to stay with or pass other contenders in the conference like the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic. The Knicks figure to be in the picture at the top of the conference again, and the Bucks just lost to the Pacers in the playoffs this season, while the Magic are a young team that has the financial flexibility to add talent and get better this summer.</p><p>It will be worth monitoring the Bucks’ activity this offseason to get back on top in the Eastern Conference.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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