RealGM Basketball Wiretap

14 December 2025

• Bucks Conduct Due Diligence On Zach LaVine Amid Trade Rumors

  The Milwaukee Bucks have conducted recent due diligence on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine and have shown interest in the past, league sources tell The Athletic. The Bucks are navigating the uncertain future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, but continue their efforts in putting the best team possible around him despite limited ways of improving their roster as they only retain one tradeable first round pick.

  LaVine could help several contending teams but faces significant trade obstacles. The 30-year-old guard earns $47.4 million this season and holds a $48.9 million player option for next season.

  LaVine's contract makes him nearly impossible to move without Sacramento attaching draft assets as sweeteners. First-year Kings general manager Scott Perry has signaled a commitment to retaining future draft picks for the franchise's rebuild.

  Perry hopes those picks will play a pivotal role in Sacramento's future. The general manager made a plea for fan and organizational patience regarding his long-term outlook.

  If Perry maintains his stance on draft picks, the Kings' veteran core could remain intact past the February 5 deadline. Sacramento's core includes LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk.

  The Kings have opened their roster for business amid a disappointing season. Sacramento stands at 6-19, last in the Western Conference.

  The realities of the trade market could provide a sobering reality as the deadline approaches. LaVine's exorbitant salary presents challenges for any team attempting to acquire him without significant financial flexibility.

  Milwaukee's interest demonstrates contending teams view LaVine as a potential difference-maker. However, the financial hurdles remain substantial for any deal to materialize.

  LaVine is averaging 20.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 33.6 minutes across 22 games so far this season with the Kings. LaVine continues to be one of the NBA's most efficient scoring guards with a True Shooting Percentage over .600.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Interest Remains Strong Despite New CBA Concerns

  Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to generate significant trade interest across the NBA despite concerns about superstar contracts under the league's new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

  The two-time MVP is universally regarded as a top-five player still in his prime. While the new CBA has caused teams to reconsider long-term commitments to aging stars, Antetokounmpo represents an exception to the trend and is in contrast to the current perspective on the trade value of Anthony Davis.

  "I don't think you'd see 29 teams make an offer like if, say, Victor [Wembanyama] was available, but there would be plenty of interest and probably two to three teams would be willing to go all-in right now," an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN.

  An assistant coach added perspective on Antetokounmpo's value.

  "I'm sure the front office would have pros and cons and all that," the coach said. "But if you're asking me, I'd want him on my team in less than a second. He plays hard every night and clearly wants to win and can be unstoppable. This is the kind of player you need to win it all."

  Antetokounmpo could sign a four-year extension worth $275 million next summer, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. The deal would carry him through his age-37 season.

  "You are going to gulp and do it," an East executive said. "But you have to be good enough where the beginning of the deal is worth it, because you are baking in the back end."

  One of the main questions for the Bucks will be whether Antetokounmpo will be amenable to going to a team with multiple tradeable first round picks, of if their return will be centered more around current players.

• Warriors Reserve Draymond Green Trade Only For Giannis, Not Markkanen Or Davis

  The Golden State Warriors are considered unlikely to make a major trade for a star this season unless it is for Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources tell Jake Fischer. The Warriors would almost certainly need to send out Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler in a deal for a star making a significant salary and only Antetokounmpo would motivate them to do so, according to Fischer. This rules out the likes of Lauri Markkanen or Anthony Davis for the Warriors.

  "I just think Golden State values him too much and they would not part ways with Draymond Green unless it is for Giannis and that's really it," said Fischer.

  Green has a player option for the 2026-27 season, or could become a free agent in 2027 if he opts in.

  Markkanen is on a four-year, $220 million extension that runs until 2029 and contains no options.

  Davis is in the first year of a three-year, $175 million extension he signed with the Lakers in August 2023. Davis becomes eligible to sign another extension for up to three seasons and $218.5 million beginning Aug. 6, 2026. He holds a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.

  The Warriors can trade up to three first round picks and three swaps.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Addresses Bucks' Teammates Amid Trade Speculation

  Giannis Antetokounmpo recently met with some of his teammates on the Milwaukee Bucks to discuss ongoing rumors of his future with the franchise, sources tell Chris Haynes. Antetokounmpo's message was to focus on basketball and not get distracted by outside noise.

  Antetokounmpo is currently out multiple weeks with a calf strain, which occurred on the same day ESPN's Shams Charania reported that his agent is in the process of discussing the two-time MVP's future with the Bucks.

  "I was told his point was he's here wanting to get better," said Chris Haynes on NBATV. "Wanting to make sure he gets his game back on point. Make sure he gets back from this injury. But he relayed the message that he can't control what goes on, or what even happens to him.

  "Obviously, things are getting loud where he felt like he had to address some of his teammates."

  There has been considerable speculation dating back to last year's draft lottery that Antetokounmpo could agitate for a trade away from the Bucks. In August, the Bucks and New York Knicks held trade talks upon the request of Antetokounmpo.

• Knicks Will Not Have Exclusive Negotiating Window For Giannis Antetokounmpo In Trade Talks

  Over the summer, the Milwaukee Bucks gave the New York Knicks an exclusive negotiating window to talk Giannis Antetokounmpo trades. Antetokounmpo had made it known that he preferred to play for the Knicks if traded. Those talks ultimately broke down, despite New York making offers for Antetokounmpo.

  If Antetokounmpo asks for a trade in-season, the Knicks will no longer have an exclusive negotiating window. Even if superstar big man prefers New York, the Bucks will engage the entire NBA in trade talks for Antetokounmpo.

  "The writing is on the wall," one source said of the Bucks future with Antetokounmpo.

  Milwaukee has minimal means left to improve the roster around their star player. The Bucks have just one tradable first-round pick, and don't have much young talent to offer in packages to upgrade their rotation.

• 'Strong Belief' Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants To Go To Knicks If He Gets Traded

  There is a "strong belief" that Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to go to the New York Knicks over any other team should if get traded from the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  It was reported earlier this week that Antetokounmpo told at least one teammate over the summer that he was close to getting traded to the Knicks.

  Rival teams are still reportedly waiting for a clear signal from the Bucks that they are willing to part ways with Antetokounmpo.

  Executives around the league also believe that Antetokounmpo would be looking to join a team capable of competing for a championship.

  Antetokounmpo currently has a player option for the 2027-28 season. He is expected to use assurances of extending his contract as leverage to dictate potential landing spots should trade discussions begin.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Focused On Getting Healthy, 'Not Running From A Situation'

  Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking to get healthy and "make things work" with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Chris Haynes.

  "He spoke to me about just being where his feet are planted...that is where his focus is at," said Haynes about a recent conversation with Antetokounmpo.

  Haynes then recounted a story that Antetokounmpo told years earlier about how when he sees a wall, he wants "to run through the wall, and make things work."

  "That's my focus right now. I want to run through a wall, make things work, get healthy, and try to be there for my team," recalled Haynes about what Antetokounmpo told him.

  Haynes then added that Antetokounmpo doesn't know what the Bucks' plans are for this future.

  "He doesn't know what's going on behind the scenes with the front office, or what they're looking at doing as far as his future goes... his focus is getting healthy, being there for his team, and not running from a situation," added Haynes.

  Antetokounmpo and his agent opened up discussions over his future with the Bucks earlier this week.

  Antetokounmpo is likely to miss close to four weeks with a calf strain.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo To Be Out Closer To 4 Weeks With Calf Strain

  Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss closer to four weeks due to a calf strain, according to Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers.

  Antetokounmpo was initially thought to be out for 2-4 weeks, though Rivers preached a cautious approach.

  "I feel like we should learn is with calves -- make sure they're healthy," Rivers said on Friday. "So that may take longer than we want. That even may make Giannis frustrated over it, but we just got to try to get that right."

  Rivers added that Antetokounpo was eager to get back to the court after talking to him on Thursday.

  "When Giannis gets injured, he'll give you his own date. You literally just, you hear it, but you don't hear it because to him it's always, I'll be back in a week, or I'll be back sooner," said Rivers.

  The Bucks play seven games over the next three weeks.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Told Teammate Trade To Knicks Was Close In August

  Giannis Antetokounmpo told at least one Milwaukee Bucks teammate during the summer that he believed a trade to the New York Knicks was close to materializing, multiple sources said this week. The two-time MVP gave Milwaukee a preference to be traded to New York, and the teams held discussions in August.

  ESPN reported the Knicks were afforded an exclusive negotiating window in August to make trade pitches to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo. The talks did not progress beyond preliminary discussions, and no trade materialized.

  The Knicks continue to be cited as a team that must be mentioned in any credible discussion about Antetokounmpo's future. New York does not currently have any tradeable first-round picks but possesses four swap rights available.

  Antetokounmpo becomes eligible on October 1, 2026 for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through the 2030-31 season. He could become a free agent as early as 2027 if he declines the extension.

  If Antetokounmpo is traded, he can sign the same extension with his new team six months after the deal. The timing provides flexibility for both Milwaukee and any potential trade partner.

  New York's absence of tradeable first-round picks complicates any potential deal for Antetokounmpo. The Knicks surrendered significant draft capital in recent trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns.

  Antetokounmpo's affinity for playing in New York has been mentioned often, both publicly and privately. The Brooklyn Nets have been previously cited as a potential suitor for Antetokounmpo, but they have pivoted to another plan as that scenario is considered unrealistic.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Out 2-4 Weeks With Right Calf Strain

  Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be out two to four weeks with a right calf strain. Antetokounmpo suffered the non-contact injury in the first quarter of Wednesday's game. An Achilles injury was quickly ruled out, but Antetokounmpo will still miss a meaningful number of games.

  The injury quickly follows ESPN's report that Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will be deciding his future with the franchise over the coming weeks amid a possible trade.

  Antetokounmpo recently returned from a right adductor injury. The Bucks have struggled to win without Antetokounmpo in the lineup and have been playing at approximately a .500 pace with him on the floor. Milwaukee have to further rely on their hollowed out depth.

  Antetokounmpo also missed the 2024 playoffs due to a left calf strain.