The Bucks believe lottery luck could convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay
As the NBA approaches the Feb. 5 trade deadline, the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the focal point of the league. Despite heavy rumors suggesting a move could be imminent, the two-time MVP recently expressed a deep emotional connection to the city of Milwaukee. He described the city as the place where he grew from an unknown prospect into a champion, MVP and father. Antetokounmpo pointed out that his most significant life milestonesincluding his marriage and his father’s funeral, are related to Wisconsin.
While he stated his deep desire to remain a Buck throughout his career, he also acknowledged the reality of the business, noting that he has to consider other options if the organization decides to go in a different direction.
According to a report from Marc Stein, Bucks front office is privately hoping that a specific scenario including the draft lottery could be the key to keeping their superstar.
The team currently has a stacked selection where they receive the lesser of two selections between themselves and the New Orleans Pelicans.
However, league sources believe that if both franchises manage to secure the top four picks in the lottery, the Bucks would have a big reason to celebrate. Although New Orleans would have to send a higher pick to Atlanta as part of the Derrick Quinn trade, Milwaukee would still have a high-end advantage.
This hypothetical draft pick is considered a potential game changer for Milwaukee’s bullpen. With a top-four pick in what is considered an extremely strong 2026 class, the Bucks would acquire the necessary trade capital to pursue a high-impact veteran.
The goal would be to acquire an experienced assistant who could convince Antetokounmpo that the team is still capable of contending for a title. While the Greek Freak remains sidelined with a calf strain, his market value has never been higher.
He recently appeared on social media with a cryptic post claiming he’s still getting all the attention even without the pencil, with teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers reportedly ready to make significant offers before tomorrow’s deadline passes.
2026-02-04 13:51:00
