“Oh man, that’s above my pay grade,” Atkinson said when asked whether he’s conceptualized coaching James.
“I know what he means to this community and this organization. I do know that. After that, my focus is on this roster and trying to improve this team that we have.”
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
Atkinson doesn’t know what it’s like to coach a James-led team, but he does have experience coaching against them. Atkinson has been on coaching staffs that have gone up against James in either the playoffs or the Olympics five times. Atkinson’s team hasn’t won any of those matchups. Most recently, that includes the 2024 Olympics when Atkinson served as an assistant coach for the French men’s national basketball team.
“I’m going to ask him tonight if he orchestrated those last plays against us in the gold medal game,” Atkinson said. “I have a feeling he did.”
Even though James has lost a step athletically, he hasn’t tactically. That has allowed him to continue being an All-NBA caliber player into his 40s.
Whether or not the Cavs pursue James in the off-season or earlier remains to be seen. What we do know is that James’s current head coach, JJ Redick, hasn’t found a downside in coaching someone of James’s stature.
“I haven’t found it challenging,” Reddick said of James.
“At age 41, in his 23rd season, he loves new challenges. What we tried to do as a coaching staff is challenge him in different ways. That could be three-point volume or getting more transition opportunities for our team. It could be very specific stuff like that. It could be continuing to be a fantastic leader. … To me, it hasn’t been hard to coach him. You just have to kind of understand what he needs and then coach him that way.”
For now, Atkinson will continue to coach against James. Whether or not that changes in the future remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Atkinson isn’t taking games like Wednesday’s for granted.
“This is the best,” Atkinson said of this game. “You’re playing agianst LeBron and Luka (Doncic). These are the fun games with LeBron. I mean, you never know how many times you get to compete in the same arena.”
The Warriors have made it known to the Bucks that they are willing to offer a Jonathan Kuminga/Jimmy Butler-headlined package with draft picks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources tell @SIChrisMannixhttps://t.co/Kve6z871is
NBA trade rumors: Warriors updates on possible Giannis move
ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes the Warriors could have a promising offer, as they also own all of their picks.
He compared their assets to Oklahoma City nearly a decade when they traded Paul George and Russell Westbrook for picks and said "everyone else is gonna have to try to beat a strong Golden State offer if it comes."
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo "is ready for a new home ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline" and he added that he thinks Milwaukee is "more open than ever to Antetokounmpo offers between now and the deadline."
"Everyone else is gonna have to try to beat a strong Golden State offer [for Giannis] if it comes."@WindhorstESPN explains why the Warriors would be a major player if Giannis ever becomes available 👀 pic.twitter.com/jgRPEt3iP1
Kuminga, 23, was drafted by the Warriors with the No. 7th overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft. He has one-year (team option) remaining after this season after signing a two-year, $46.8 million deal with the Warriors on Sept. 30, 2025.
Butler, 36, arrived in the Bay Area from Miami nearly a year ago on Feb. 6, 2025, as a result of a five-team trade that sent Detroit Pistons' Kenyon Martin Jr. and a 2028 second round pick to the Utah Jazz for Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters III and a 2031 second round pick.
That same day, Butler signed a two-year, $110.96 million contract extension with Golden State.
Giannis Antetokounmpo contract
Antetokounmpo, a 10-time All-Star, signed a three-year, $175.37 million veteran contract extension with Milwaukee on Oct. 23, 2023.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been dealt a rough hand this season. Injuries have already caused them to deploy more starting lineups than all of last season. And while they still don’t have Darius Garland or Max Strus, they will at least get a few rotational players back in the lineup tonight with De’Andre Hunter and Sam Merrill.
Merrill has been dealing with a hand injury since earlier in the season. He’s been banged up multiple times this year, but it hasn’t stopped Merrill from having the best start to a season of his career. He’s averaging 13.8 points while shooting a red-hot 45.5% from deep on 7.8 attempts per game.
Hunter, on the other hand, hasn’t been as hot. He’s struggled to find his rhythym this season, shooting a career-low 30.6% from downtown and fitting out more than he’s fit in. Some knee soreness throughout the year hasn’t helped. Hopefully, Hunter can put it together now that he’s back in the lineup.
This was a positive update for Hunter and Merrill. Sadly, it wasn’t all good news for the Cavs. There are no updates for Strus or Garland — and we learned of another Evan Mobley calf strain yesterday. Mobley missed nearly two weeks with a calf injury in December and has suffered another strain to the same leg.
Mobley is expected to be re-evaluated in 1-3 weeks. He’s historically been a fast healer, but calf injuries are no joke in today’s NBA. I don’t expect the Cavs to push their luck or gamble with fate when it comes to Mobley’s latest injury.
Cleveland has their longest road trip of the season coming up after tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. They’ll travel West, playing against the Suns, Trail Blazers, Kings, and Clippers. They return home for a game against the Washington Wizards before the All-Star break.
Earlier Wednesday, Shams Charania reported that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is “ready for a new home” and that the Milwaukee Bucks have begun listening to trade offers for their franchise icon.
Entering play Wednesday, Milwaukee has lost three straight games and has fallen into a tie for 11th place in the Eastern Conference – 3.5 games back of the final play-in spot.
With the NBA trade deadline set for Feb. 5, the Bucks don’t have much time to evaluate the market for Antetokounmpo, but it’s difficult not to imagine how a trade of this magnitude could reshape the competitive landscape for the rest of the season.
Using FTN’s new NBA StatsHub, let’s take a closer look at what Antetokounmpo would bring to a new team, and what kind of offensive environment best maximizes his impact.
What Giannis Actually Brings to the Floor
We know that Antetokounmpo is one of the NBA’s premier stars – he’s one of 15 players in league history to win multiple MVP awards. Still, it’s important to define what he will bring to his new team beyond his reputation and past accolades.
Since the pandemic, Antetokounmpo is one of only three players in the NBA to average 25-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and 5-plus assists in a single season – the others being Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid. Only Antetokounmpo and Jokic have accomplished that feat multiple times in that span.
Any team acquiring Antetokounmpo wouldn’t simply be paying for his past contributions. This season, Antetokounmpo is one of 14 players averaging more than 25 points per game while also posting a +3.0% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation. Only Antetokounmpo and Jokić are also averaging at least 8.0 rebounds per game from that group of players.
In practical terms, this means Antetokounmpo isn’t just a high-volume scorer – he’s making a higher percentage of difficult shots than the league average, even after adjusting for shot location, shot value, and the quality of the defense being played on those attempts. That combination of volume and efficiency is rare.
Factor in that he’s also a capable passer and one of the game’s best rebounders, and it becomes easy to see how a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber could immediately elevate a good team into the championship conversation – especially if that team has the right offensive pieces around him.
Which Championship Contender Has the Most to Offer for Antetokounmpo?
Back in October, Antetokounmpo told the media, “I want to win another championship. I want to win another medal for the national team. Legacy is very important for me… You got to play to win. I don’t play to be around and get paid.”
If we are looking only at potential destinations that could put Antetokounmpo in a championship-level environment, the team that has the most to offer the Bucks might be the least motivated to acquire him.
The Thunder have the most first-round draft capital in the NBA across the next three seasons, in addition to a roster replete with impressive young stars, such as Ajay Mitchell and Aaron Wiggins, who could potentially thrive in larger roles or serve as cost-controlled rotation pieces.
However, Oklahoma City currently leads the league in Net Rating by a substantial margin and proved this past summer that their current core is capable of winning a title as presently constructed. Consequently, it seems highly improbable that the Thunder would engage in any serious trade talks for Antetokounmpo.
Most Realistic Landing Spots
Assuming the Thunder aren’t interested, two most logical landing spots for Antetokounmpo appear to be the Knicks or the Heat.
The Knicks won this season’s NBA Cup but have plateaued since that point. In their last 21 games, they rank 18th in Net Rating and own a 10-11 record. Miami is 11-10 during that span, ranking 17th in Net Rating, and have been vocal about trying to acquire a franchise cornerstone type player for years via free agency or trade.
When the Bucks were at their peak in 2021 and 2022, they surrounded Antetokounmpo with great perimeter shooting. As a team, Milwaukee ranked fifth in 3-point% in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons. Put simply, Antetokounmpo is at his best when surrounded by above-average shot makers who can maintain offensive spacing.
Looking at NBA StatsHub, the Knicks appear to have a roster construction that is best suited to acquire Antetokounmpo. They currently rank third in the NBA in 3-point% as a team and have four players with a +3.0% FGOE who are attempting at least 3.0 shots from beyond the arc per game.
Meanwhile, the Heat rank 11th in 3-point%, with Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins among the only consistently capable perimeter shooters they could surround Antetokounmpo with. The Heat also finished below .500 last year and haven’t made it out of the first round of the playoffs since 2023 – they are likely an additional piece or two, beyond Antetokounmpo, from being a legitimate title contender.
Why a Giannis Trade Might Not Happen… Yet
All of that being said, it’s entirely possible that Antetokounmpo will not be traded before next week’s Feb. 5 deadline. Milwaukee doesn’t control its first-round draft picks from 2027 to 2031, which likely necessitates them receiving a package in return that would allow them to remain competitive immediately.
According to Yossi Gozlan, the Bucks could also extract more draft capital from both New York and Miami if they wait until this offseason, rather than rushing a trade in the next seven days.
The Takeaway
A Giannis Antetokounmpo trade would be one of the most seismic roster moves in recent NBA history, but whether or not it actually happens before the February 5 trade deadline remains an open question.
What is clear, using FTN’s NBA StatsHub, is that Antetokounmpo’s value extends far beyond star power. In the right offensive environment – one built around shooting efficiency and adequate spacing, he could immediately elevate a franchise into the championship conversation.
Houston is a dozen games above .500 and played its way into the top four in the West despite playing the entire season without starting point guard Fred VanVleet.
Now the Rockets are down another starter for the rest of the season: Center Steven Adams has undergone season-ending left ankle surgery, a story first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and confirmed by others, including Adams himself.
Adams sprained his ankle 10 days ago against the Pelicans and has been out since with a Grade 3 sprain, according to the team. Adams needing surgery was always a possibility.
While his counting stats are not eye-catching — 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds a game, on 50.4% shooting — his elite offensive rebounding was critical to a team with the fourth-best offense in the NBA despite having the 17th-ranked True Shooting Percentage. Adams averaged 4.5 offensive rebounds a game, leading a Rockets offense that grabs the offensive board on a league-leading 40.6% of their missed shots — those second chances are what drive Houston's offense. The Rockets have a +11.2 net rating when Adams is on the court this season.
In the four games without Adams since his ankle injury, that offensive rebound rate has fallen to 35%, and the Rockets' offense is 16th in the league in that stretch.
Look for coach Ime Udoka to give Clint Capela more run, plus lean into small-ball lineups with Jabari Smith Jr. at the five. Also, expect the Houston front office to at least explore trading for a center before next week's trade deadline.
This season has been a wild one for the Phoenix Suns as they look to embrace this new identity under head coach Jordan Ott. Even with key injuries, they have had a successful start to the season and have shocked many fans by exceeding expectations. One of their infectious leaders on this front is Dillon ‘The Villain” Brooks, and he has been getting a lot of heat recently.
As we all know, dating back to his Memphis Grizzlies days, Brooks has always been one to play with toughness or an edge. He is scrappy on defense, always trying to force turnovers. Not only that, but he is going to let you hear it on the court by chirping you out and getting under your skin. The ultimate definition of Brooks is the guy you want on your team, but you hate going against, and it’s totally understandable.
That being said, having this reputation leads people to associate you with a bad or “dirty” player, which Brooks is not. Yes, he plays with a fire lit underneath him 24/7, but that type of aggressiveness is what gets him hot and is also a great motivator for his teammates. Unfortunately, this reputation continues to follow Brooks to the Valley this year.
This season, he has received 14 technical fouls, and we are a little over halfway through. To me, this is just utterly absurd. Some are definitely technical, but looking at the one that was called yesterday, it is clear that some targeting of Brooks is occurring. If anything looks controversial, they immediately call it on Brooks, and then the league rescinds it the following day, just like last night.
Dillon Brooks’ (PHX) technical foul at 0:27 in the 2nd quarter on 1/27/26 (vs. BKN) has been rescinded upon league office review.
This type of behavior is utterly disrespectful to Brooks and the Suns in many different ways. For starters, it just shows the referee’s incompetence toward a particular player. As we can see here, the league has rescinded eight technical fouls this year, three of which have belonged to Brooks.
Assuming the league documents every rescinded tech with a post here, a total of eight have been rescinded in 2025-26.
It’s happened to Dillon Brooks three times. No one else has had it happen more than once. pic.twitter.com/qgG1v3M8Tf
Even the flagrant Brooks received yesterday was outright ridiculous, as he was clearly trying to get a loose ball and showed no intent to hit Nic Claxton in the groin, but that is a completely different story.
Absolute reputation flagrant call on Dillon Brooks for his fourth of the year.
He was CLEARLY going for the ball, not trying to hit Nic Claxton.
Not only that, but two of those rescinded technical fouls have been called by the same referee. That man would be Curis Blair, who clearly either has an issue with Brooks or does not want to deal with his antics. When one player receives multiple techs and is called back numerous times, it clearly shows this is an officiating issue with the Suns.
Two of the three rescinded technical fouls were called by the same referee: Curtis Blair.
Even Brooks himself had some words following the game on the tech he received from Blair. He knew it would be rescinded; as he said, the following two he got called on from him were also. If that is not a clear issue where the player knows he is being targeted, then what is?
Dillon Brooks said to @DuaneRankin what the explanation was between him and official Curtis Blair about the flagrant and technical fouls he picked up
“Well that’s getting rescinded. The same foul that Curtis (Blair) gave me before, and a month ago that got rescinded. It’s going… pic.twitter.com/Hx1UVfnxxh
This team’s whole identity is physical play, and it’s outright wrong to watch it get punished for playing with effort and heart. We see it every night, even when the Suns had their scuffle at the end. Brooks was not involved, so luckily, he was not given anything, but Grayson Allen received a technical foul for also doing nothing. His reputation as a “dirty” player has died down since he arrived in Phoenix, but that still lingers in the refereeing world, I guess.
"I feel like as the game went on, the line between a no-call & an altercation got really thin."
"When we allow that physicality, from both teams, there's no way to not have an altercation like that."
These technical fouls also cost the Suns points they do not deserve to lose, and can shift the momentum of a run or a late-game scenario.
Brooks is also in a scary situation, resulting in receiving so many technical fouls. Under league rules, if he were to receive 16 technical fouls, he would be suspended for 1 game. With the latest one rescinded, this leaves him with two get-out-of-jail-free cards before he has to pay the price.
Unfortunately, I think Brooks will get this suspension, as we have seen the referees not care about him. It would be nice now that the league has taken back three of his technical fouls to approach refereeing Suns games differently. Especially if the man himself knows the call is getting rescinded, don’t call a pity foul just because of his name.
It may come before the Feb. 5 trading deadline, or it may come in the offseason, but Antetokounmpo has reportedly indicated that he’s ready to move on from the Bucks. Milwaukee, understandably, has started to listen to offers and may consider shipping the two-time Most Valuable Player before the deadline.
Yet, even if a deal cannot be reached by then, the Bucks could still move Antetokounmpo over the offseason, when suitors would have more financial flexibility and draft capital available to package in an offer.
With that said, which teams can actually present compelling cases to land the versatile star?
Here are potential landing spots for Giannis Antetokounmpo:
This is going to depend on what the Bucks are actually prioritizing in a return, but no team may have a better case than the Heat. Miami has more depth than star power and has some younger players with promise who could be part of a Bucks rebuild.
The centerpiece would be 2024-25 All-Star guard Tyler Herro (26 years old), who has had injury concerns, but who has been a steady scoring threat when on the floor. Second-year center Kel’el Ware (21) is another intriguing player who has excellent rebounding ability; Ware ranks sixth in the NBA in rebounds this season (420), despite at least 200 minutes fewer than the players ahead of him. Ware has had motor concerns, but he’s an excellent lob threat and can stretch the floor with shooting range.
Miami can also offer one of Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) or Nikola Jović (22) and some first-round draft picks. And, if Miami can move Andrew Wiggins in a trade to the Golden State Warriors, the Heat could potentially recoup another pick to package in an Antetokounmpo deal.
This has reportedly been Antetokounmpo’s preferred landing spot, given its market size, ability to compete for championships and proximity to international airports that can get him to his native Greece with relative ease.
And while the Knicks do have some interesting assets that could entice the Bucks, it’s going to depend on Milwaukee’s preference. For one, the easy assumption is that forward-center Karl-Anthony Towns would be a seamless swap, but Milwaukee just signed center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract that keeps him with the Bucks through the 2027-28 season, with a player option for the following year.
Turner and Towns have similar skill sets, and Towns feels like a redundancy in Milwaukee. The Bucks are probably more intrigued by wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, with whom New York might be less willing to part. The Knicks would almost certainly require the addition of a third or fourth team to facilitate the deal.
The Bucks reportedly prefer younger talent and draft capital, neither of which the Knicks necessarily have, at least right now. Towns is 30, Bridges 29, Anunoby 28. Backup point guard Miles McBride is 25, but he would need to be a secondary piece in any deal. For this to work, the Knicks would need to get creative in finding ways to sweeten their package.
This looks like another interesting spot because the Hawks do have a balance of both young talent and draft capital. For one, the Hawks already own a massively valuable draft pick, an unprotected 2026 first rounder that’s the most favorable between the Pelicans and the Bucks. New Orleans currently has the NBA’s third-worst winning percentage and the Bucks are 18-27. There’s the high likelihood that this pick will be a high lottery selection.
The Hawks may not want to part with that selection, but Atlanta nonetheless has plenty of draft capital and swaps it can offer.
The Bucks, though, may want to get talented forward Jalen Johnson in return. The Hawks have built their team around Johnson and may not make him available. That would complicate things, as Zaccharie Risacher, rookie Asa Newell and Luke Kennard likely won’t be enough to sway Milwaukee.
This is a team that has been a massive surprise and one that may be a sneaky contender in the East. Point guard Immanuel Quickley has shined recently, winning Eastern Conference Player of the Week Monday, Jan. 26. Guard RJ Barrett will also likely be available.
That won’t be enough. The Bucks will likely not consider any deal with Toronto unless it includes 2024 All-Star Scottie Barnes, who’s 24. Brandon Ingram is a solid player who would otherwise be a decent asset, but he’s 28 and not as versatile as Barnes.
But Toronto has viewed Barnes as the key franchise cornerstone, and ideally would love to pair him with Antetokounmpo. The Raptors will likely need to get creative to involve teams to strengthen their offer – assuming Barnes is untouchable.
Headed into the start of last season, Paolo Banchero was widely seen as one of the more promising, young players in the NBA. Given his recent struggles, that has changed somewhat, though he still holds significant promise.
Banchero is 23 and was an All-Star two seasons ago, but his scoring has dipped considerably (21.6 points per game, down from 25.9 last season). The Magic have lost 14 of their last 24 games, and the franchise might feel that Franz Wagner, 24, is the player they want to build around.
The issue is that the Magic don’t have much in the way of draft capital and younger players that could tempt Milwaukee. Put another way: the Bucks would have to really like Banchero for this to work.
What about teams that are already contenders like the Houston Rockets or San Antonio Spurs? Could they tear up their current (and successful) builds for a push to compete?
There’s always the possibility of the infamous mystery team that could be lurking. The reality is, of the 29 teams in the NBA aside from the Bucks, all but one or two of them are probably discussing if there’s a viable path to get him.
The Detroit Pistons are having a season we haven’t seen in over a decade.
They’re competitive, they’re exciting, and they’re legitimately one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. But with reports surfacing that Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking to leave the Milwaukee Bucks, Trajan Langdon needs to pick up the phone.
Giannis isn’t just an All-Star — he’s a future Hall of Famer in his prime. A two-time MVP and NBA champion. This isn’t a guy who could be a co-star for Cade Cunningham. It isn’t someone who might make the All-Star team.
When was the last time a player of this caliber became available? These opportunities are once-in-a-generation. The Pistons haven’t had a player of Giannis stature since Isiah Thomas, and even then, you’re comparing all-time greats.
Yes, I know, acquiring Giannis will require opening the vault and paying up. Whether it’s draft picks (not so important at the end of the first round) or young players (more important because they can be cheap + good), Milwaukee is going to want a lot because, well, it’s freakin’ Giannis.
If you’re Langdon, and you truly think this team is ready to compete for a championship with a move like this, you have to weigh everything. I love Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland. Are they going to give you more — even combined — over the next two seasons compared to what Giannis can give you on his own?
Probably not.
Sure, the fear of the player option in 2027-28 is valid. Giannis could, and probably should, opt out to get one more massive contract. That’s a legitimate concern.
But you’re also getting two guaranteed years of a Hall of Fame player in his prime. Two years to go try and win a championship — including this year in the most downtrodden Eastern Conference in recent memory.
It’s two years to prove to Giannis that Detroit is where he wants to finish his career. And if he does leave? You’ll have made your best players better, changed the culture and shown the league that Detroit is serious about winning.
The Thunder are the odds-on favorites to win their second-straight title, and for good reason. They’re young, talented, deep and they play like demons on both ends. The gap between the best team in the East and the best team in the West is real.
I’m not of the belief that the Pistons, as currently constructed, are living in the same air space as Oklahoma City. The Thunder have put together a better season without their ALL-NBA FORWARD in Jalen Williams for most of it. They’re that good.
Adding Giannis helps close that gap. Suddenly, you’re not just the best team in the East. You’re a legitimate threat to beat anyone in a seven-game series. You have two superstars who can match up with anyone AND you keep your elite defense because you have a guy in Giannis who can guard 3s, 4s and 5s.
With a few veteran moves on the margins to fill the holes that you’d deal away for Giannis, you can easily have the experience and the talent to win it all.
The Pistons championship window has just opened, and it’s understandable to not want to push all of your chips in this soon. But, those windows don’t stay open forever. Contracts and personalities and lapses in player development cause teams to fall off schedule all the time in the NBA.
The time to be aggressive is when you have a foundation worth building on — which the Pistons finally do. Maybe the Pistons can get him, maybe they can’t, but to simply sit back and watch your chief rivals work to acquire one of the generation’s best players would be irresponsible.
I’m not telling you the Pistons must trade for Giannis.
Talk around the league is heating up again about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future, with growing chatter that the Bucks star would prefer a trade before the deadline if things in Milwaukee continue to slide. The rumors are back, the speculation is loud, and familiar questions about how long this partnership can last are resurfacing.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason as several rival teams make aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for him, and the franchise is starting to listen, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/OejatbQjDy
Still, the betting markets aren’t buying the panic. Giannis Antetokounmpo next team odds continue to point strongly toward the "Greek Freak" staying in Milwaukee, signaling that bettors see far more smoke than fire when it comes to a midseason move.
Kalshi is a regulated financial exchange where you trade on real-world event outcomes. Instead of traditional odds, prices are listed as percentages (0–100%), representing the market’s estimated probability of an event occurring.
The favorites
Milwaukee Bucks or retires
This relationship is clearly strained, but it’s not breaking at the deadline unless someone blows the Milwaukee Bucks away with an offer. Giannis Antetokounmpo is frustrated, the roster is broken, and everyone involved knows this group isn’t close to contention.
Milwaukee is listening because it has to, not because it’s eager to move him. Trading Giannis midseason only makes sense if the return is massive, and if that deal doesn’t show up, the Bucks are fine dragging this into the summer when more teams and picks are on the table.
For now, the most likely outcome is Giannis staying put through the deadline, even if the long-term future feels shaky. This is tension, not a fire sale.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are no longer just a team being floated in rumor; they’re one Giannis has actually shown interest in if a deal could be made. That alone keeps New York near the top of this market.
The problem is cost. Milwaukee isn’t rushing into a deadline deal, and any trade for Giannis would require the Knicks to gut their depth and unload significant draft capital. This wouldn’t be a clean add-on next to Jalen Brunson — it would be a full-on roster reset.
New York makes sense, and the interest appears mutual. But unless the Bucks decide to move him now instead of waiting for the summer, the Knicks remain a long shot rather than a likely landing spot.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets show up in this market because they can. The Rockets have young talent, future draft capital, and the flexibility to make a serious offer if Milwaukee opens the door wider. From a pure assets standpoint, they’re one of the few teams that could meet the Bucks’ asking price.
What’s missing is momentum. There’s no reporting tying Giannis to Houston, and no indication the Rockets are actively pushing for a deal ahead of the deadline. Until that changes, they remain a theoretical option — a team with the means to get involved, not one driving the conversation.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Atlanta Hawks (23-25) at Boston Celtics (29-17) Wednesday, January 28, 2026 7:30 PM ET Regular Season Game #47, Home Game #22 TV: NBCSB, FDSNSE, NBA-LP Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 92.9 The Game, Sirius XM TD Garden
The Celtics continue their home stand after a win over the Trail Blazers on Monday. This is the 2nd of 4 games between these two teams this season. The Celtics won the first game 132-106 in Atlanta on January 17. They will meet again in Atlanta on March 30 and will play a second game in Boston on March 27. The Hawks won the series 2-1 last season with the Celtics winning one in Atlanta and the Hawks winning twice in Boston. The Celtics are 246-151 overall all time and they are 132-56 in games played in Boston.
The Hawks saw a lot of change in the off season. They were part of a 3 team trade That sent Georges Niang to Boston and Terance Mann to Brooklyn and brought back Kristaps Porzingis from Boston. They were also part of a 7 team trade involving Kevin Durant where they sent Clint Capela to Houston in return for David Roddy, who they cut. They got Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign and trade with Minnesota.
They traded Kobe Bufkin to Brooklyn for cash. Caris LeVert and Larry Nance, Jr both left in free agency and they cut Charles Bassey, who played for the Celtics Summer League team. They signed N’Faly Dante and Luke Kennard as free agents. They drafted Asa Newell with the 23rd pick in the draft. On January 5, they made the first big trade of the silly season when they sent Trae Young to Washington for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1 game ahead of 3rd place Toronto and 1.5 games ahead of 4th place New York, 2 games ahead of 5th place Cleveland, 4.5 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 7th place Miami. The Celtics are 21-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 14-7 at home and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.
The Hawks are 10th in the East, 12 games behind first place Detroit, 2.5 games behind 6th place Philadelphia and 7th place Miami, 1.5 games behind 8th place Orlando, 1 game behind 9th place Chicago, and half a game behind 9th place Chicago. They are 3 games ahead of 11th place Milwaukee. They are 11-17 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 14-12 on the road and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 3 games.
This game is the 2nd game of a 4 game home stand where they won over Portland on Monday and will face Sacramento and Milwaukee after this game. Then, they are on the road at Dallas and Houston before playing Miami, New York, and Chicago at home, taking them into the All Star Break. After the break, they will head out on a 4 game Western road trip through Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix, and Denver.
This is the first of a road/home back to back for the Hawks. They will return home to play Houston at home on Thursday. They will then play at Indiana and at Miami before home games against Utah and Charlotte. They then play at Minnesota and at Charlotte before the All Star break. After the break they will play at Philadephia and then they have a 5 game home stand where they will host Miami, Brooklyn, Washington twice, and Portland.
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum remains out as he continues to rehab from the Achilles tear he suffered in last year’s playoffs. Josh Minott missed 11 games with a sprained ankle and is finally off the injury report. Neemias Queta has been battling an illness for the past 2 games but he played through it. He is listed as out for this game. Luka Garza was listed as questionable with an illness but is now expected to be available.
For the Hawks, former Celtic Kristaps Porzingis will miss his 10th straight game due to Achilles soreness. He missed the first game between these two teams and has played in just 17 games so far this season. Zaccharie Risacher will miss his 10th straight game due to a left knee bone bruise. N’Faly Dante is out for the season after season ending surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Nickeil Alexander-Walker
SG: Payton Pritchard vs Dyson Daniels
Payton Pritchard
SF: Jaylen Brown vs Corey Kispert
PF: Sam Hauser vs Jalen Johnson
C: Amari Williams vs Onyeka Okongwu
Amari Williams
Celtics Reserves Baylor Scheierman Xavier Tillman Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Chris Boucher Jordan Walsh Josh Minott
2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Max Shulga Amari Williams Injuries/Out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out Neemias Queta (illness) out Luka Garza (illness) available
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Hawks Reserves Nikola Durisic Mouhamed Gueye Luke Kennard Vit Krejci CJ McCollum Asa Newell Keaton Wallace
2 way Players Rayj Dennis Caleb Houston Christian Koloko Injuries/Out N’Faly Dante (knee) out Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) out Zaccharie Risacher (knee) out
Head Coach Quin Snyder
Key Matchups Sam Hauser vs Jalen Johnson Johnson is averaging 23.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is shooting 50.5% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal while shooting 28.6% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. He will likely play much better in this game and the Celtics need to defend him well and keep him off the boards.
Derrick White vs Nickeil Alexander-Walker Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.1% from the field and 38.2% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 18 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block and 1 steal while shooting 37.5% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc. He is a good 3 point shooter and the Celtics need to defend him on the perimeter. Honorable Mention Amari Williams vs Onyeka Okongwu Okongwu is averaging 16.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1 block per game. He is shooting 48.2% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics he finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 57.1% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to guard Okongwu both inside the paint and on the perimeter because he shoots well from both. With Queta doubtful and Garza questionable, I’m guessing that Amari Williams will get another start here.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense is always a key to winning games. The Celtics have an offensive rating of 120.8 (2nd) while the Hawks have an offensive rating of 113.5, which is 21st. The Celtics have a defensive rating of 113.6 which is 11th while the Hawks have a defensive rating of 114.4, which is 16th. The Celtics have been hot and cold on defense this season. Sometimes they can shut down the other team and sometimes they allow them to score at will. The Celtics need to defend the perimeter because the Hawks are 5th, shooting 37% on threes. They also have to defend the paint as the Hawks are 11th with 51.6 points in the paint per game. The Celtics must make defense a priority in this game and they have to play that tough defense for 48 minutes and not let up.
Rebound – Next to defense, rebounding is the key to winning. When the Celtics put out the extra effort on the boards, it usually carries through to the rest of their game. The Hawks are averaging 42.2 rebounds per game (25th) while the Celtics are averaging 44.8 rebounds per game (13th). The Celtics need to aggressively go after every rebound. They can’t afford to give the Hawks extra possessions and 2nd chance points by allowing them to beat them to rebounds.
Move the Ball Carefully – When the Celtics move the ball and find the open man, they are tough to beat. When they hold the ball and try to play iso ball, they become predictable and struggle. When the Celtics have more assists than their opponents they are 13-0 and when their opponents have more assists than the Celtics, they are just 14-16. The Celtics need to move the ball, but they have to make careful passes because the Hawks are 6th in the league with 19.9 points off turnovers per game.
Effort and Focus for 48 Minutes– The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In most of their losses and even in some of their wins, they have allowed their opponents to play with more energy than them for periods of time during the game. They play well for stretches but let up and allow their opponents to surge ahead, especially down the stretch. They have to stay focused for all 48 minutes and be ready for their opponents to play harder in the second half and they need to match that effort. They also have to come out with more effort and energy to start the game and dig themselves into a hole.
X-Factors Home Game and Revenge– They call it home court advantage for a reason and the Celtics need to take advantage of playing on their home court. The Celtics need to get motivation from the home crowd, which should be loud and doing everything in their power to support the Celtics and rattle the Hawks. The Hawks have the distractions of travel and an unfamiliar arena and a hostile crowd and hopefully that will give the Celtics an advantage. The Hawks were also embarrassed by the Celtics on their home court 10 days ago and will be looking for some revenge on them. The Celtics need to be ready for the Hawks to give it their best effort in this one.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game the right way. We have recently seen how much of an x-factor officiating can be. The Celtics have to play so well all game that the officiating, no matter how bad, can’t influence the outcome.
The NBA trade deadline is a week away, and the rumor mill hit critical mass after reports stated the Bucks are now entertaining offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is open to a new home in the league. New York has been linked to Antetokounmpo for years now, a droning constant that seemed to only exist by default – one of the NBA’s premier and star-hungry destinations naturally paired with one of its best players.
However, this connection appears to be taking a more tangible turn. SNY’s Ian Begley reported that the Knicks will be "aggressive" in pursuing Antetokounmpo, after previously exploring a deal this past August that went nowhere.
There are plenty of reasons to believe the Knicks won’t or can’t pull the trigger by the deadline. Midseason shake-ups are super risky and not Leon Rose’s forte; there are fit, age and cost concerns, and the Bucks could drag this out to the summer to increase the number of bidders.
But this time might be different, as New York is at a pivotal juncture, having to prove this core can win or pivot off it before Jalen Brunson’s prime runs out. With a real chance to secure a perennial Top 3 player, fans shouldn’t be surprised if Rose takes one final giant swing for the fences.
The key reason to believe the Knicks are gearing up for a move is that this is the best chance they’ve had to acquire Antetokounmpo, and may be the only one. Until now, Antetokounmpo wasn’t available, and even if he was, the Knicks had little to trade that would entice the Bucks or beat out the competition.
Let’s go issue-by-issue now.
After weeks of passive aggressiveness, either Antetokounmpo, the Bucks, or both have decided it’s time to move on. The Knicks can only send swaps on their first-round picks, but recent Marc Stein reporting suggested they could loop in a Mikal Bridges-for-picks trade to boost their offer, and maybe land former favorite teammate of Giannis, Jrue Holiday.
Much of this idea revolves around the Knicks actually pulling that trade, or something similar, off. If they can, they’ll be able to throw together a competitive package in an uncompetitive environment.
Antetokounmpo's realistic options are limited at the deadline, as teams have less cap flexibility, fewer picks to trade and are locked into the season in front of them, less likely to make a major change. The team that is aggressive enough to make a midseason Giannis trade would need to have the goods, be ready to compete now and convince Antetokounmpo to stay long-term regardless of short-term results.
That defines New York to a tee, and the only others that arguably have a case are Golden State, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta or Minnesota. Even then, the Warriors, Heat and Hawks wouldn’t be certified contenders, and the other two aren’t exactly top destinations, nor prime to make a big trade here.
Now, imagine you’re Rose with a one-week chance at acquiring Antetokounmpo and little risk of being outbid, do you really turn that chance down?
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles as New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) defends during the second half at Madison Square Garden / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images
Many will say wait for the summer, give this core another run at things and still give yourself a shot at Giannis with additional draft picks. Not only do you open yourself up to somebody else stealing him, but the opportunity cost may be too great.
Milwaukee may want to wait for the offseason to maximize its return, but it may not. Antetokounmpo’s distractions and a quicker pivot to rebuilding give them incentive to move now.
As for New York, blowing this season would be more detrimental than advertised. Some forgot that the East is without two major stars – Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum – that will return next season and give the conference a couple of extra threats to worry about.
Besides this playoff run looking cleaner than usual, another lost postseason would be losing a year of this not-so-young team’s prime, namely Brunson’s. Those fearful that such a monster midseason worsens their championship chances don’t appear to be factoring into the team’s current standing, or the fact that this move nets them Antetokounmpo.
While the Knicks looked dominant earlier in the season, cracks present in their squad opened into canyons during a brutal 2-9 stretch. They’ve since recovered, but those weaknesses remain ever-present.
There’s the defense, ranked 16th in the league, and even on its best days, it is limited by the pairing of Brunson and Karl-AnthonyTowns, two top scorers with big faults on that end. Towns himself is frustrating fans and coaches alike for the second straight season, this time looking uncomfortable on the offensive end, usually his safe zone.
Brunson desperately needs somebody else who can handle the ball and playmake. As a whole, the Knicks have looked softer and less athletic than their top competition.
On a positive note, New York has found recent success with the Brunson-plus-four-defenders configurations. Now contextualize the things that haven’t been working and the things that have, with Antetokounmpo in the picture - what do you see?
Yes, Antetokounmpo is 31 years old, has struggled to stay healthy (especially in recent years) and will demand a massive long-term extension. He’s also finished top-four in MVP voting for seven consecutive seasons, averages 28-10-5 on 65 percent shooting, plays with Defensive Player of the Year levels of impact on the other end and is an almost zero percent flight risk from the Knicks.
Generational talent like Antetokounmpo’s doesn’t come around often, as those who have followed this team’s rebuild from the beginning must realize. The stage is set for New York to beat out the rest of the league to realize that talent. Let’s see if Rose makes it happen.
Let me paint you a picture of basketball karma that’s almost too perfect to be real.
Andrew Wiggins gets traded to Miami for Jimmy Butler. The Warriors throw a tribute video for Wiggins that damn near made me tear up. Then, in what feels like a cosmic joke, Jimmy Butler tears his ACL against his former team in Miami. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga (who requested a trade and fell completely out of Steve Kerr’s rotation) suddenly has value again because the Warriors desperately need a wing with Butler down.
And where’s Wiggins? Out in South Beach playing solid two-way basketball like he never left the Bay Area. So here’s the question that’s got Dub Nation’s head spinning: What if the Warriors just… brought Wiggins back? What if they traded Kuminga to Miami for the guy they shipped out about a year ago?
The Warriors and Heat have been discussing a trade that would send Andrew Wiggins back to Golden State and Jonathan Kuminga to Miami, per @JakeLFischer
“There’s absolutely some type of framework that’s being discussed—and has been discussed” pic.twitter.com/9JhmEdFAkj
Before you laugh this off as fantasy, remember: the Warriors have done this before.
They traded James Wiseman—the #2 overall pick from 2020—to get back Gary Payton II, a player they’d literally let walk. When you realize you were wrong, or when circumstances change the equation, Golden State has shown they’re not too proud to hit the undo button. That’s not weakness. That’s organizational wisdom.
The basketball fit makes sense in ways that should scare us. Wiggins knows this system inside and out. He knows the defensive rotations, the offensive flow, the culture. There’s zero learning curve. He’s already proven he can be the second-best player on a championship team while guarding the opponent’s best wing every night.
What does #DubNation think about the rumored trade return of the Heat’s Andrew Wiggins back to the Warriors for Kuminga? Such a trade would require the Warriors on including at least Buddy Hield or Moses Moody.
Kuminga, for all his athletic gifts and potential, has been maddeningly inconsistent. He wanted out. Kerr clearly doesn’t trust him in big moments. And although I want every Warriors pick to dominate here in the Bay, Miami’s developmental track record with young wings could be helpful for him. Maybe a change of scenery unlocks something in JK that Golden State couldn’t?
But here’s where it gets complicated, and why I’m not saying I want this to happen; I’m just saying I’m fascinated that it could happen. The return of Wiggins after the Warriors traded him for something better in Butler would be absolutely hilarious. I spent years defending Wiggins when the entire basketball world called him a bust. I wrote Dub Nation a love letter about his play when he left. I celebrated that 2022 championship harder than anyone because it vindicated everything I believed about Maple Jordan. So yeah, part of me would love to see #22 back in blue and gold.
pic.twitter.com/zPynZ7xseE Here's the Warriors' full tribute video for Andrew Wiggins in his first game back at Chase Center
But the other part of me wonders if the circumstances that made Wiggins great here were lightning in a bottle. That nostalgia is a hell of a drug, especially when you’re watching Steph’s window close in real-time. The Warriors are shuffling their deck before the trade deadline, trying to give Curry the best hand possible. Whether that includes a Wiggins return is anyone’s guess.
All I know is this: if it happens, Wiggins Island is about to experience a real estate boom.
What do you think, Dub Nation? Am I crazy for even entertaining this? Drop your thoughts below.
Wednesday’s Celtics-Hawks game feels like a fresh coat of paint on an old car. Boston is competing for the top of the East, while the Hawks take their appointed place in the play-in tournament. An offseason full of attrition for the Celtics (that directly helped the Hawks) seemingly changed nothing. Funny sport we have here.
When these two teams met a couple of weeks ago, it was an utter blowout in the C’s favor. What do they have to do this time for a similar result? Let’s break down the key matchups and set plays.
Jalen, May We Have This Dance?
Jalen Johnson’s breakout season has been the one thing keeping the Hawks from disaster. As they navigated the end of the Trae Young era, it has been Johnson’s offensive play that keeps their heads above water. But he sure has his flaws.
Atlanta has maintained a 78th percentile defensive rating with Johnson on the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass. But that’s not much of a credit to JJ; outside of his defensive rebounding, which is excellent, he’s not bringing a lot to the table defensively. And the Celtics know that.
There wasn’t much complexity to the Boston gameplan in the first matchup. See Jalen, put Jalen in action, profit. His penchant for giving up soft switches and getting lost in rotation is a huge boon for a team that wants to attack mismatches and shoot as many threes as possible.
Putting Jalen Johnson in direct action led to Jaylen Brown feasting in the first Hawks-Celtics matchup of the season. Count on more of the same tonight pic.twitter.com/UtOmnYNpfC
Perhaps this time around, Boston will up the complexity, adding some Spain/Stack PNRs and double-drag actions. Those extra layers of communication will put extra strain on Atlanta’s defense to cover for Johnson. But the most likely scenario is that they keep it simple and bring whoever he is guarding into a direct ball screen. As you saw above, it sure does work.
DHO Danger
Atlanta has no problem stacking overlapping skill sets. They view that as a strength, not a weakness. One skillset they have in spades is pull-up shooting, especially coming out of dribble handoffs. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Luke Kennard, and Vit Krejci are all capable PU3 shooters off the dribble. Atlanta also has plenty of capable DHO operators: Onyeka Okongwu, Mo Gueye, and the aforementioned Jalen Johnson.
If you’re not active, denying the pull-up shots over these dribble handoffs, Atlanta can bury you in a hurry. They generated a whole bunch of looks in the first matchup.
Hawks had six PU3 attempts directly out of dribble handoffs in the first Celtics matchup, making two of those shots. C's did a great job containing the first go-around, and have to be on point tonight once again pic.twitter.com/MEVGaVitzl
Luckily for the Celtics, a lot of those shots came up wanting. They were able to play in drop and let the screen navigation dictate the shot. If they’re less lucky in this game, I’m curious whether or not Mazzulla adjusts the game plan to blitz these dribble handoffs and run them off the line
Prepare For Trouble
A key to this Atlanta team has been the development of Mouhamed Gueye. The young big is a defensive wizard, and his ability to survive on the perimeter on both ends of the floor makes him ideal for double-big pairings. So far, the Gueye-Onyeka Okongwu duo has been on the floor for 15.7% of Atlanta’s total possessions this season. It’s a combination that is becoming integral to their lineups.
That has not been a fruitful pairing so far, with a -8.3 net rating. They have weaknesses to exploit, and the Celtics will have to be wise to take advantage. Both players are young, and while they are great defenders, they can be thrown off when making unconventional rotations.
Cool in-game adjustment for the Celtics. Facing ATL's double bigs, they get blitzed on the first PNR, and Mo Gueye rotates to break it up. One minute later, same coverage, but this time they "short" the PNR with a wing pass to confuse Gueye and then hit the roller pic.twitter.com/CHLJAiEHaY
If the Celtics are crisp in their ball movement and relocations, there are plenty of threes and layups to be had against this lineup. But you also have to account for the size concerns; Okongwu is good at posting up mismatches, and those two can hit the glass hard against smaller competition. Sam Hauser is the key here as an excellent floor spacer with size; it’s no coincidence that his 30-point, 10/21 three-point shooting night came against these Hawks.
I hope you feel a bit more prepared for this game. Now kick back and bask in some Celtics excellence.
The Golden State Warriors are still adjusting to life without Jimmy Butler. Luckily for the Dubs, they get another cupcake matchup to work things out as they visit the Utah Jazz as 9.5-point road favorites.
My Warriors vs. Jazz predictions expect De’Anthony Melton to step up in Butler’s absence, with tip-off set for 9:00 p.m. ET in Salt Lake City.
Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, January 28.
Warriors vs Jazz prediction
Warriors vs Jazz best bet: De'Anthony Melton Over 2.5 assists (+150)
The Golden State Warriors guard has averaged 16 points and 3.5 assists per game in the four contests since Butler’s injury, and I like him to deliver another productive night against the Utah Jazz.
Utah is arguably the worst defensive team in the NBA, ranking last in both defensive rating and opponent points per game. The Jazz also sit at the bottom in opponent assists per possession, and oddsmakers have seemingly overlooked Melton’s improved assist numbers with Butler out.
Warriors vs Jazz same-game parlay
Utah surrenders the most 3-point attempts and makes per game in the Association, and the Jazz have allowed Steph Curry to score 31 points in both previous meetings.
Another player who could step up with Butler out is Moses Moody. He’s been cleaning lately, averaging 4.8 rebounds over his last five contests.
Warriors vs Jazz SGP
De'Anthony Melton Over 2.5 assists
Steph Curry Over 29.5 points
Moses Moody Over 3.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Road Warriors
If the first three legs of this SGP hit, the Dubs likely cover this number as well.
Warriors vs Jazz SGP
De'Anthony Melton Over 2.5 assists
Steph Curry Over 29.5 points
Moses Moody Over 3.5 rebounds
Warriors -9
Warriors vs Jazz odds
Spread: Warriors -9 (-110) | Jazz +9 (-110)
Moneyline: Warriors -310 | Jazz +250
Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)
Warriors vs Jazz betting trend to know
The Jazz have hit the game total Over in 32 of their last 45 home games (+17.70 Units / 36% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Jazz.
How to watch Warriors vs Jazz
Location
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCS-Bay Area, KJZZ
Warriors vs Jazz latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Milwaukee Bucks or retires
New York Knicks
Houston Rockets
