Giannis Antetokounmpo may get traded eventually, but it won’t be before Friday’s NBA trade deadline.
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The Bucks have told teams they are keeping the two-time MVP and will make other trades, according to ESPN.
“They were never serious,” one team executive told NBA insider Jake Fischer.
The Knicks had been linked with Antetokounmpo since the offseason, when ESPN reported he informed the Bucks of his desire to be moved to New York, while the Warriors, Timberwolves and Heat were also heavily linked to the Bucks superstar.
He repeatedly tried to downplay his intent on leaving the Bucks, but trade rumors intensified with the Bucks’ season spiraling.
And last week, ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo informed the team he is ready for a new home.
So the Antetokounmpo saga takes a pause until the offseason.
Despite some injury concerns recently, the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo — who led the Bucks to a championship in the 2020-21 season — is still an elite superstar. Averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds per game this year, he remains one of the premier two-way talents in the NBA.
— Jared Schwartz, New York Post
‘It’s a possibility I might get traded’ | 01:15
LAKERS ADDRESS CLEAR NEED
The Lakers are acquiring Luke Kennard from the Hawks in a trade that’ll send Gabe Vincent and the team’s lone tradeable second-round pick to Atlanta.
A source confirmed to the California Post that the Lakers will trade for Kennard ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, with the hopes that the 29-year-old wing will address their shooting woes.
The second-round pick the Lakers are sending to Atlanta is for 2032.
The Lakers’ season-long 3-point percentage of 34.9% ranked No. 22 entered Thursday’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Kennard has shot 44.2% on 3s for his career, including 49.7% from beyond the arc this season.
The Lakers signed Vincent to a three-year, $33 contract in July 2023. Kennard is on a one-year, $11 million contract that’ll expire after this season.
— Khobi Price, New York Post
Bron’s last game? Knicks down Lakers | 01:31
GIDDEY’S BULLS CONTINUE TO BLOW UP ROSTER
With the Bucks signalling that they wouldn’t be trading Antetokounmpo before the deadline, the Timberwolves had to quickly pivot and turn their attention towards finding a quality back-up point guard.
With that in mind and Chicago’s Coby White already off the table, the Timberwolves went to the tanking Chicago Bulls and found an answer in Ayo Dosunmu.
Minnesota traded Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks to Chicago in exchange for Dosunmu and Julian Phillips.
It completes what has been a dramatic fire sale for Josh Giddey’s Bulls, who have traded Nikola Vucevic, Dosunmu and White as well as reserves Kevin Huerter and Dalen Terry.
While the Bulls traded away two key guards in Dosunmu and White, they got plenty of backcourt options in return and now have an incredibly small roster on the books, even after picking up forward Guerschon Yabusele from the Knicks.
Dillingham didn’t work out in Minnesota, but is a high-upside swing for a Bulls team that, unlike Minnesota, will give the former Kentucky guard the time and space to develop.
Dillingham will be in a battle for minutes right away though, given Chicago is spoiled for choice when it comes to guards after acquiring Jaden Ivey, Collin Sexton and Anfernee Simons while the Bulls also signed Mac McClung to a two-way contract on Friday.
Knicks edge Denver in 2OT thriller! | 01:11
KNICKS REUNION
A long anticipated Knicks move finally came to fruition.
They are acquiring Jose Alvarado from the Pelicans in exchange for Dalen Terry and two second-round picks, The Post’s Stefan Bondy confirmed.
The Knicks had just gotten Terry from the Bulls for Guerschon Yabusele late Thursday, and now rerouted him for an upgrade at backup point guard.
A strong defender and capable ball-handler, Alvarado – a New York City native – provides needed depth behind Jalen Brunson.
Tyler Kolek has had mixed results in that role, and Miles McBride is more of a combo guard than a true point guard. McBride, meanwhile, is at risk of being sidelined until the playoffs with a core muscle injury.
Alvarado, 27, has built a reputation as a relentless and dogged on-ball defender, often picking up opponents full court and finding ways to get under their skin. On the other end of the floor, he is averaging 7.9 points and 3.1 assists per game.
Alvarado has a $4.5 million player option for next year. By trading away Yabusele, the Knicks got out of his player option for $5,775,000 for next year. And subsequently found a player who should have a much greater impact.
— Jared Schwartz, New York Post
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