RealGM Basketball Wiretap

22 January 2026

• Warriors Plan To Target LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo In Offseason

  The Golden State Warriors plan to feature prominently in trade discussions for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason if he comes to market with the Milwaukee Bucks, while exploring the prospect of teaming LeBron James with Stephen Curry once James becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30. Sources say the Warriors view both superstars as potential franchise-altering additions.

  The relationship between Curry and James has improved greatly over the years from where it stood when they met in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018. Their chemistry during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they won the gold medal for the United States, demonstrated the potential of a partnership that once seemed impossible.

  Curry is signed through the 2026-27 season and has showed few signs of slowing down. The Warriors believe pairing him with either Antetokounmpo or James could extend their contention timeline.

  Golden State remains unlikely to trade Jimmy Butler following his torn ACL, with sources indicating the franchise plans to back the veteran through his recovery. Butler's locker room presence and the enjoyment he has expressed since landing with the Warriors last February have been welcomed by the organization, particularly while navigating the ongoing Jonathan Kuminga drama.

  The Warriors would only consider moving Butler if a player on a very short list of superstars became available and specifically targeted Golden State as a preferred destination. Sources say the team has not shown interest in trading Butler for Dallas' Anthony Davis.

  Realistically, Golden State does not expect a shot at Antetokounmpo or James until the offseason at the earliest. The Warriors will not entertain any move involving Butler unless a truly top-tier trade target pushes their way toward teaming up with Curry.

  The Warriors were linked with a trade for James at the 2024 trade deadline. Draymond Green made the initial push to the team's ownership and management before also consulting Rich Paul, who represents both Green and James.

  Joe Lacob had a conversation with Jeanie Buss about the idea. Buss told Lacob that the Lakers had no desire to trade James but referred the Warriors to discuss it directly with James' representation.

  James and Paul said he preferred to remain with the Lakers. Rob Pelinka also confirmed that the team had no desire to trade their superstar. James signed a one-plus-one contract with the Lakers with a no-trade clause during the 2024 offseason. His future is uncertain as he is on an expiring contract after the Lakers declined to engage him on an extension last offseason.

  Steve Kerr is not yet signed on a contract beyond the current season, but he has remained open to staying with the Warriors as Curry plays out his final seasons.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Harsh Words About Bucks Not Playing To Win, Being Selfish, Not Together

  Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't mince words after the Milwaukee Bucks were blown out at home by the Oklahoma City Thunder. When asked if the recent string of blowout losses have anything in common, Antetokounmpo rattled off a list of issues the Bucks have.

  "We're not playing hard," Antetokounmpo said. "We aren't doing the right thing. We're not playing to win. We're not playing together. Our chemistry's not there. Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys trying to do it on their own.

  "At times, I feel like when we're down 10, down 15, down 20, we try to make it up in one play, and it's not going to work."

  Antetokounmpo said he doesn't know what's causing the Bucks issues, but that he doesn't want to have to demand the ball more.

  "I'm not the guy that will yell and cuss his teammate out and demand the ball," Antetokounmpo said. "I've never done that in my career. But I feel like I've played with teammates that kind of understand the gravity that I can cause for our team, in how I can create for teammates and for myself, and how I can help the team be more successful.

  "But maybe for some reason, I don't understand -- maybe because we're young, maybe because we're not playing well, maybe because guys think it's their turn, they want to carry the team on their back and try to turn this around -- but I really don't get it. I really don't."

• Kevin Porter Jr. 'Won't Be Able To Play Anytime Soon' Due To Strained Oblique

  Kevin Porter Jr. "won't be able to play anytime soon" due to a strained oblique, according to Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers.

  Porter, who has played several games with the injury, underwent an MRI on Tuesday.

  There is currently no timetable for Porter's return.

  Porter is averaging 16.8 points per game this season.

  Rivers also added that Myles Turner is day-to-day with a left ankle sprain.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Situation Ahead Of Trade Deadline Still Being Monitored By Teams

  As the NBA trade deadline approaches in two weeks, the league continues to closely monitor the situation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Reports dating back to the 2025 lottery have indicated that Antetokounmpo is strongly considering whether his future will be with the Bucks.

  "Milwaukee," said Windhorst when asked on ESPN Radio Los Angeles what he's keeping his eye on. "Because I know what Doc has said on the record. I know what Giannis has said on the record. I'm just telling you other teams in the league are not convinced that Giannis is not going to get traded. That doesn't mean he will get traded. I'm just telling you that they're not convinced.

  "If you take that out in aggregation, you can use it against me. But the nuance is it's not like there's 11 other guys to trade for. That's the key. But there's a number of team that are like 'Boy, if. If B, then A.' Giannis is the big 'if' right now."

  Rumors surrounding Antetokounmpo's future date back to 2020 before he signed his supermax extension with the Bucks following their trade for Jrue Holiday.

  "My job every day is to talk to people all throughout the league about what's going on... Teams are not yet convinced Giannis is not being traded. I'm just telling you teams are not convinced."

  Windhorst added that there are no conversations surrounding a trade of Antetokounmpo at this point.

• Heat Won't Trade For Ja Morant If It Jeopardizes Chances For Giannis Antetokounmpo

  The Miami Heat will not trade for Ja Morant if it compromises their ability to make a run at Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  It was stated last week that the Heat are not looking to take back any long-term deals and are focused on cap flexibility, especially for the summer of 2027.

  Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell and Nikola Jokic could be free agents that summer.

  Morant has expressed interest in the Heat, though trade discussions between the two sides were described as "premature."

  The Bucks will require a trade demand from Antetokounmpo in order to move the superstar.

• Some Trades On Hold Because Teams Aren't Sure Giannis Antetokounmpo Stays With Bucks

  While speaking on NBA Countdown on Friday, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst gave some insight in where the league's trade market currently stands. Windhorst said that some deals and trade talks are on hold because teams aren't sure that Giannis Antetokounmpo will finish the season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

  "There are deals that are on hold and talk progressions on hold because teams still aren't 100% sure whether Giannis is gonna be on the team the rest of the year," Windhorst reported.

  Windhorst referenced Antetokounmpo's recent declaration that he won't ask for a trade, while also calling out the Bucks recent struggles. That last part has opposing teams still unsure that Antetokounmpo is going to stand for finishing the year on what may be a non-playoff team in Milwaukee.

  At the halfway point of their season, the Bucks are 17-24. They currently sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, two games behind the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls for the final two spots in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament.

• Bucks Will Require Trade Demand From Giannis Antetokounmpo

  League sources have told ESPN they believe Giannis Antetokounmpo will have to put substantial pressure on the Milwaukee Bucks to force a trade as the franchise struggles through a disappointing season. The two-time MVP values his standing in Milwaukee and does not want to alienate the fan base by requesting to leave, a league source reiterated to ESPN.

  When asked about his future, Antetokounmpo has repeatedly confirmed his commitment to the Bucks. However, he has also repeatedly left himself an out, giving himself the opportunity to change his mind and alter the Bucks' future with it.

  The 31-year-old superstar has been publicly and privately emphasizing the need for urgency. Since Antetokounmpo returned from injury on December 27, the Bucks are 5-5, currently mired in a three-game losing streak and stuck in 11th place in the Eastern Conference at 17-24.

  ESPN's Shams Charania reported in December that if the Bucks continue to slide, discussions between Antetokounmpo's representation and the franchise could escalate. The external noise has continued to grow around the league, with teams wondering how far the Bucks have to fall before they reach a breaking point.

  "Maybe my voice is just a broken record and guys are tired [of hearing it]," Antetokounmpo said after a recent loss. "Guys might tend to do what they want to do. I don't know, but as a leader, it doesn't matter."

  The disconnect between the best player in franchise history and the only team he has known has become increasingly obvious. Antetokounmpo booed his home fans back after converting an and-1 during a 33-point loss to Minnesota, taking personally the jeers directed at his team as they walked off the floor trailing 76-45 at halftime.

• Bucks Declare Giannis Antetokounmpo Unavailable While Seeking Roster Upgrade

  The Milwaukee Bucks have maintained their position that Giannis Antetokounmpo will not be made available before the trade deadline, according to team sources who told ESPN the franchise is actively searching the market for an impact player to pair with their superstar. The declaration comes as the struggling Bucks sit at 17-24 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

  "We always manage to pull something off," a team source told ESPN.

  The Bucks are facing one of the most significant transaction periods in franchise history. Milwaukee has a chance to either salvage a disappointing season or pivot into an entirely new era with three weeks remaining before the deadline.

  Team sources have emphasized to ESPN that the Bucks have been aggressive on the trade market. The organization is trying to find a potential upgrade to their roster and avoid wasting a year of Antetokounmpo's prime.

  Milwaukee holds notable financial flexibility this trade season. The Bucks are not in the luxury tax for the first time since the 2019-20 season and are not hard capped at either apron, positioning them to acquire a player with multiple years remaining on his contract.

  Rival executives see the biggest opportunity for Milwaukee in accepting larger contracts with multiple years beyond this season. ESPN reported last month the Bucks have discussed players including Zach LaVine and Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings, as well as Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers.

  The Bucks can accept contracts that opposing teams might be trying to shed, such as Andrew Wiggins of the Miami Heat, who owns a $30 million player option for next season, or Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets, who will make $22.8 million in the 2026-27 season, team and league sources told ESPN.

  Milwaukee is looking to address its biggest issue, which is how badly they struggle whenever Antetokounmpo is not on the court. The Bucks are 3-11 without Antetokounmpo in the lineup this season, with their offensive efficiency dropping to 107.6 without their star player, which would be the worst mark in the NBA.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo On Booing Home Fans During Loss: 'Whenever I Get Booed, I Boo Back'

  The Milwaukee Bucks were booed by their home fans at halftime during a 139-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

  With fans booing as the team left the court during halftime, Giannis Antetokounmpo put two thumbs down and began booing the crowd.

  "Whenever I get booed, I boo back," said Antetokounmpo after the game, while adding it was the first time he can remember getting booed at home.

  Antetokounmpo finished the game with 25 points against the Wolves, who were without Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards.

  Antetokounpo continued to express his frustration after the game.

  "I've never been a part of something like that before and I don't think it's fair. I don't. But everybody has their opinion to do what they want to do.

  "I'm not going to tell them what to do and how they should act when we don't play hard. Or when we lose games, or when we're not where we're supposed to be. I don't think anybody has the right to tell me how I should act on [a] basketball court after I've been here 13 years. And I'm basically the all-time leader in everything," added Antetokounmpo.

  Doc Rivers blamed tired legs on the Bucks' performance.

  "Just beat us off the dribble all night," Rivers said. "I honestly thought we were playing with dead legs."

  The Bucks are now 17-23 on the season.

• Bucks Interested In Zach LaVine, Ja Morant

  The Milwaukee Bucks have told teams that they are looking for ways to upgrade the roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo. With Antetokounmpo recently saying he will "never" ask the Bucks for a trades, Milwaukee GM Jon Horst can cast a wide net to add talent.

  Two players the Bucks are reportedly interested in are Ja Morant and Zach LaVine. Both would upgrade the team's backcourt by adding scoring and playmaking.

  The Grizzlies are reportedly open to moving Morant for the first time since drafting the 6-foot-2 point guard in 2019. Memphis is looking for a package of young players and draft picks in return for Morant. Milwaukee can't really offer either, but could send the Grizzlies other smaller, tradable salaries.

  Sacramento is open to moving LaVine, as well. It's unclear what the Kings are looking for in return for the veteran shooting guard, beyond not taking on long-term salary. Milwaukee could send some short-term salaries to Sacramento in exchange for taking on LaVine's $47.5 million salary this season, plus his $48.9 million player option for 2026-27.