RealGM Basketball Wiretap

09 February 2026

• Cam Thomas Signs With Bucks

  Cam Thomas agreed to a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Sunday.

  "I picked Milwaukee because they wanted me and they told me they've been interested for years now. So, it's good to have this opportunity come to fruition. And I'm just hoping to meet everybody, get to know everybody and contribute as soon as possible," Thomas told Andscape.

  Thomas, who signed a one-year, $5.9 million qualifying deal with the Nets last summer, was waived on Thursday.

  Thomas is averaging 15.6 points and 3.1 assists this season.

  The Bucks reportedly attempted to try to trade for Thomas before Thursday's deadline but could not come to terms on a deal.

• How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic NBA game: Tip-off time, cable channels, RSNs, livestream providers, international coverage

  On February 9, 2026, the Orlando Magic host the Milwaukee Bucks at the Kia Center. This matchup, is the centerpiece of the exclusive Peacock NBA Monday doubleheader, represents a fascinating study in two divergent franchise trajectories within the modern NBA landscape. While the Magic have transitioned from a youthful rebuild into a defensive-minded postseason contender bolstered by significant offseason acquisitions, the Bucks are currently navigating a tumultuous period defined by an attempt at a "competitive reset" necessitated by injuries to their core stars and a breakout performance from an unlikely source in the backcourt.

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  The Milwaukee Bucks enter the Kia Center in a state of profound transition, currently grappling with a 21-29 record that places them 12th in the Eastern Conference. The season has been largely defined by the prolonged absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who suffered a significant right calf strain on January 23 during a loss to the Denver Nuggets. An MRI confirmed the severity of the injury, and the team has adopted a cautious 4-to-6-week recovery timeline, prioritizing the long-term health of their franchise cornerstone over short-term regular-season seeding. In the vacuum created by Antetokounmpo's injuries, has emerged centered breakout campaign for third-year guard Ryan Rollins. Described as one of the league's most improved players, Rollins has seen his statistical profile explode from 6.2 points per game last season to 16.8 points and 5.5 assists in 2025-26. Rollins' ascent has been so meteoric that Antetokounmpo himself remarked in late 2025 that he had never seen such a significant jump for a player in his 13-year career. Rollins has become the team's secondary offensive hub, supported by the veteran interior presence of Myles Turner and the perimeter shooting of Bobby Portis, as the Bucks attempt to remain relevant in the playoff hunt despite persistent trade rumors involving their aging core and potential blockbuster summer deals for Antetokounmpo.

  A significant hurdle for Orlando has been the health of Franz Wagner, who has missed substantial time with a left high ankle sprain. Wagner's absence has stripped the Magic of their most efficient offensive player, forcing Paolo Banchero into an even larger playmaking role. Banchero, despite averaging 21.6 points and 8.6 rebounds, was a notable omission from the 2026 All-Star Game, a slight that has seemingly fueled his recent performances, including a 23-point, 8-assist outing in a comeback win over the Utah Jazz on February 7. Under head coach Jamahl Mosley, the Magic have maintained a top-tier home-court advantage at the Kia Center (16-8), relying on a defensive identity that allows only 110-112 points per game, though their overall defensive rating has slipped to 16th in the league as they struggle to force turnovers at their previous elite rate.

  How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic online - national and local U.S. TV channels & live streams

  As part of the NBA's expanded media rights package, which prioritizes Monday night exclusivity for streaming partners, the game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT). This specific time slot serves as the lead-in to a high-profile Western Conference matchup between the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers, ensuring a national audience for the proceedings in Orlando.

  The venue for this Eastern Conference showdown is the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.

  The 2025-2026 NBA season marked a transformative period for broadcast rights, with "Peacock NBA Monday" becoming the primary destination for marquee matchups. Fans wishing to watch the Bucks vs. Magic game will find that traditional regional sports networks like FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin or Florida will be blacked out for this national exclusive window. The broadcast team for this game features Michael Grady on play-by-play, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Grant Hill-who played for the Magic from 2000 to 2007-as the lead analyst, and Jordan Cornette providing updates from the sidelines.

  The primary and most accessible way to view the game is through the Peacock streaming service. Peacock has introduced a specialized "Performance View" for the 2026 season, which will be available for the Bucks-Magic game. This feature allows viewers to see real-time statistical overlays, player tracking data, and advanced shooting metrics without disrupting the main broadcast feed. For fans of the Bucks, who have become the second-most efficient three-point shooting team in the league this year, the Performance View provides granular data on floor spacing and individual shot quality that is not available on standard linear television.

  While the game is an exclusive streaming event for most of the country, select cable providers and bundles will carry the NBCSN broadcast in participating markets. Services such as YouTube TV, and DIRECTV Stream provide access to the NBC broadcast network, which remains the flagship linear partner for the NBA on NBC brand in 2026. However, the Peacock application remains the only platform guaranteed to provide the full doubleheader, including pre-game and post-game coverage led by the studio team in Stamford, Connecticut.

  How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic Thunder internationally

  If you are outside of the USA, the NBA game between Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic should be available to livestream with an NBA League Pass.

  Please be aware that livestream rights vary by country and depend on local broadcast deals. NBA games that aren't shown live on NBA League Pass are usually later made available on-demand.

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  How to watch anywhere with VPN

  If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

  Probable Starting Lineups

  The starting lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks has undergone significant revisions due to the team's ongoing injury crisis. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma sidelined, head coach Doc Rivers is expected to lean on a backcourt consisting of the breakout star Ryan Rollins at point guard and AJ Green at shooting guard. Rollins has established himself as the primary offensive initiator, while Green provides the necessary floor spacing to keep defenses honest. The frontcourt will likely feature Kevin Porter Jr. at small forward, a move designed to maximize playmaking following his recent return from an oblique strain, paired with veteran Bobby Portis at power forward. Myles Turner will anchor the center position, where his ability to block shots and stretch the floor with his three-point shooting will be critical in his matchup against Orlando's interior defenders.

  The Orlando Magic are projected to field a starting five that emphasizes size, defensive length, and the playmaking of their young core. Jalen Suggs will start at point guard, serving as the team's primary defensive stopper and a secondary creator who currently averages 5.2 assists per game. He will be joined in the backcourt by Anthony Black, whose development has accelerated in the wake of the Tyus Jones trade. In the frontcourt, the Magic will start Desmond Bane at small forward, looking for him to provide the elite scoring punch that earned him a 22.2 points-per-game projection in the absence of other creators. Paolo Banchero will occupy the power forward spot, acting as the offensive engine and primary mismatch threat, while Wendell Carter Jr. will start at center. Carter's role as a rim protector and rebounder is vital for a Magic defense that has struggled to maintain its top-three ranking from previous seasons.

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  Head-to-Head Series History

  The rivalry between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic has been characterized by Milwaukee's recent dominance, although the 2025-2026 season represents a potential turning point in the series. Over the last three seasons, the Bucks have maintained a 5-3 record against the Magic, including several high-scoring victories that exploited Orlando's previous lack of perimeter defense. However, the February 9 game is the first meeting between the two clubs in the current campaign, meaning both teams are entering this contest without prior head-to-head data for the 2026 rosters. Historically, the Magic have shown a greater ability to compete at home; they have covered the spread in four of their last five meetings with the Bucks when playing in Orlando, suggesting that the Kia Center atmosphere plays a significant role in leveling the playing field.

  When examining the long-term history dating back to 2003, the Bucks have often held the upper hand, but the recent iterations of the Magic have proven to be much more resilient. In their most recent encounter on March 8, 2025, the Magic secured a narrow 111-109 victory as 6.5-point underdogs, a game that highlighted Orlando's emerging ability to execute in late-game situations. Conversely, the Bucks had previously enjoyed a string of lopsided wins, including a 122-93 blowout on January 15, 2025, where their superior floor spacing and the gravity of Giannis Antetokounmpo proved insurmountable for the Magic's defense. With Antetokounmpo sidelined for this February 9 clash, the historical trends that favored Milwaukee may be less applicable, as the Magic enter as 9.5 to 10.5-point favorites depending on the sportsbook.

• Doc Rivers: Giannis Antetokounmpo 'Getting Close' To Return

  Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers stated that Giannis Antetokounmpo was "getting close" to returning from a calf injury and that the team has no plans of shutting down the star for the season.

  "He's going to play when he's healthy," Rivers said on Friday. "We just got to make sure he's healthy. He's getting close. He's working out. He looks good. So I would say hopefully sooner than later."

  Rivers did not provide a timetable for Antetokounmpo's return. Antetokounmpo suffered the calf strain on January 23 and predicted he'd be out for 4-6 weeks.

  Antetokounmpo did complete a workout on the court on Friday.

  The Bucks are 6-14 on the year without Antetokoumpo. The team remain in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.

• Bucks Waive Nigel Hayes-Davis

  The Milwaukee Bucks have waived forward Nigel Hayes-Davis. Milwaukee acquired Hayes-Davis at the trade deadline from the Phoenix Suns in a three-team deal that also involved the Chicago Bulls.

  Hayes-Davis played limited minutes in 27 games with the Suns this season. Prior to signing with Phoenix, the 6-foot-7 forward had been one of the top players in Europe. Hayes-Davis had excelled for EuroLeague teams in Turkey, Lithuania and Spain.

• Bucks Asked Teams To 'Blow Us Away' With Giannis Antetokounmpo Offers, Never Seemed Serious On Trade

  The Milwaukee Bucks navigated their trade deadline by both listening on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade offers and also working on deals along the margins.

  "They were engaged but they never progressed even really close with Giannis Antetokounmpo and any other team," said Shams Charania on NBA Today's Trade Deadline special. "I had one team tell me that the Bucks essentially told them 'We want you to blow us away.' But it was never given what that means from maybe four, five, six first round picks.

  "So teams involved believe that the Bucks might truly actually feel that they can take this to the summer and try to build another contender around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Try to bring him back on board. That's some of the feelings the Bucks were giving to some teams. This now pushes into the second half of the season, into the offseason. And on October 1, Giannis will be eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension."

  After the deadline passed, Antetokounmpo posted a video of Leonardo DiCaprio's famous speech from "Wolf of Wall Street" where he repeatedly says "I'm not leaving" with the caption of "Legends don't chase. They attract."

  "I would say this just talking to teams: I don't believe Milwaukee ever had any intention of trading Giannis at the deadline," said Bobby Marks. "And that's okay. That's fine. I think the intention of Milwaukee was to see what was out there. Write it down and put it away until June and July. And let's see what else they can top. But the teams I talked to, they just never felt there would be a deal that would materialize."

• Trades That Didn't Happen At Deadline 'Laid Foundation For Wild Summer'

  With Giannis Antetokounmpo not traded at the deadline, there are several open threads across multiple teams that could create a particularly active offseason. The Milwaukee Bucks listened to trade offers for Antetokounmpo for the first time, but decided not to trade him as they hope to either convince him to remain with the franchise long-term or revisit the conversations in the offseason when potentially more teams can offer more for him.

  The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors aggressively pursued Antetokounmpo at the deadline and could do so again in the offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks could join the pursuit depending on what happens in the playoffs for both teams.

  "We are now going to be simmering until summer because there's a lot of unfinished business that didn't get done," said Brian Windhorst on the NBA Today Trade Deadline special. "You go around the league. Everybody on the Heat they were potentially offered in deals. What happens if they have an early exit? A bunch of people in Minnesota know they were offered in deals. What happens if they have an early exit? Obviously the Cavs have gone all-in and shown a willingness to break up their core. What happens if they have an early exit?

  "You will see a revisiting of the Giannis situation in the summer.

  "We know that the Clippers are now in the middle of a controlled tear down. I don't want to use the word 'rebuild.' What about Kawhi Leonard?

  "And then you look at Domantas Sabonis-he was being floated and they couldn't do a deal for him. None of that mentions Ja Morant. The Knicks decided to keep their team together and not go after Giannis-what happens if they don't reach the Finals and do this?

  "In all honesty, while we did not have a super aggressive trade deadline, what has happened is we've laid the foundation for wild summer."

• Bucks Trade Cole Anthony, Amir Coffey To Suns For Nick Richards, Nigel Hayes-Davis

  The Milwaukee Bucks have sent Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis. Milwaukee moved forward with the trade after informing teams they had decided to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo beyond the trade deadline.

  The maneuver will allow the Suns to get below the luxury tax.

  Anthony was averaging just 6.7 points in 15.1 minutes this season with the Bucks following his release by the Orlando Magic.

• Bucks Pull Giannis Antetokounmpo From Trade Block

  The Milwaukee Bucks have informed teams they have pulled Giannis Antetokounmpo from the trade block and will begin focusing on other trade opportunities. Antetokounmpo had informed the Bucks for several months that he is ready to leave the Bucks and that initiated trade conversations, but he subsequently had a number of interviews where he indicated his ideal scenario is for the team to become title contenders again.

  The Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and New York Knicks were the four teams who were most engaged with the Bucks on an Antetokounmpo trade ahead of the deadline. The Warriors pivoted to another trade late Wednesday night in acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, which was the first clear signal that the Bucks would be unlikely to trade Antetokounmpo. The Wolves also made an alternative trade Thursday morning by acquiring Ayo Dosunmu.

  The Bucks still hope to keep Antetokounmpo long-term depending on the results of the lottery in May, but could also reevaluate their trade options in the offseason. Antetokounmpo becomes eligible for a contract extension with the Bucks on October 1st worth up to $275 million over four seasons. If Antetokounmpo is traded in the offseason, he has to wait six months.

• Bucks Ready To Let Giannis Antetokounmpo Situation Wait Until Offseason

  The Milwaukee Bucks appear poised to retain Giannis Antetokounmpo past Thursday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline despite league-wide speculation. Team sources told ESPN the Bucks feel no "pressure" to deal their franchise cornerstone, dampening expectations that materialized over the past week.

  Rival executives have questioned Milwaukee's willingness to actually complete an Antetokounmpo transaction. The two-time MVP has spent over 12 seasons with the organization.

  The Golden State Warriors eliminated itself from contention late Wednesday by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga. The move signaled the Warriors had abandoned pursuit of Antetokounmpo this week.

  The Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat remain potential destinations, with possibility for an unexpected team emerging. Most indicators suggest this saga will extend into the offseason. Several teams included in the talks and many who are not can improve their offers in the offseason when more draft picks become tradeable.

  ESPN's Shams Charania reported Antetokounmpo has desired relocation for months, whether at Thursday's deadline or during the offseason at the conclusion of the current season. Milwaukee listened to offers and engaged with several teams over the past week, marking unprecedented willingness to discuss their star's availability.

  The Bucks began listening to teams over the past week making offers for Antetokounmpo, even engaging and countering a few of them.

  The franchise has not abandoned hope of retaining Antetokounmpo long-term. Milwaukee explored roster upgrades through teams looking to shed future salary commitments.

  The Bucks won consecutive games this week but occupy the No. 12 position in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Chicago Bulls by three games for the No. 10 seed.

  Antetokounmpo could gain greater control over his destination if negotiations continue past Thursday. He becomes extension-eligible on Oct. 1, and with a player option for 2027-28, only one guaranteed contract year remains, potentially allowing him to dictate terms.

• Cavaliers, Blazers Have Shown Interest In Trading For Giannis Antetokounmpo

  The odds of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade continue to decrease as we approach the trade deadline as both the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves have executed alternative deals. The Warriors, Wolves and Miami Heat have been the most aggressive, while the New York Knicks have also been linked with trading for Antetokounmpo.

  This could leave a dark horse team if something will unexpectedly be completed by Jon Horst and the Milwaukee Bucks by the trade deadline with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers also on the fringes of the conversations. The Cavaliers have perhaps the best young player to potentially offer in a trade for Antetokounmpo in Evan Mobley, while the Blazers are in the unique position of being able to offer some of Milwaukee's own picks back to them.

  "Yeah, we're pretty much-I've been at 51-49 against a trade," said Brian Windhorst on Get Up on Thursday morning. "I'm now sort of moving more towards 60-40 against a trade. Minnesota is still out there, but I'm going to be honest with you, I don't think Minnesota's offer was as good as Golden State's. And if Golden State's offer is not good enough and Minnesota can't do a trade to improve their offer, I don't think Minnesota is realistic.

  "That, in my mind, leaves Miami. Miami is making a sort of player-and-sort-of-semi-draft-pick offer. It's a decent offer. I don't think it's something that you would stop everything for-for Giannis.

  "There's a couple of other teams out there that have shown interest. Cleveland has shown some interest in Giannis, but they are in a position with James Harden now where they've sort of picked the lane. Portland has sniffed around Giannis. They have the Bucks' draft picks and draft assets from the Damian Lillard trade, but these are not compelling things. So unless there's a secret thing going on, I'm not feeling Giannis moving right now. And Giannis has not forced the issue, and that is probably going to be a factor."

  Windhorst later said on First Take that the Cavaliers are less likely to be in the mix for Antetokounmpo following their trade of Darius Garland for James Harden.