Overview
- ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Bucks have responded to aggressive bids with counteroffers, with the Warriors, Heat, Timberwolves and Knicks identified as the most engaged teams.
- Brian Windhorst says the Knicks are not pursuing a pre-deadline deal aggressively, constrained by limited tradable picks and the need for multi-team maneuvers to meet Milwaukee’s price.
- Multiple outlets note Golden State is best positioned if a trade happens this week, with the ability to send multiple first-rounders and young talent and with little to gain by waiting for summer.
- Milwaukee’s asking price centers on a premier young player plus multiple high-quality first-round picks or equivalent draft capital, reflecting a rebuild-minded return.
- Giannis is out with a calf strain, and teams are weighing a deal now—which would allow earlier extension eligibility with a new team—against waiting until the offseason when asset pools expand.