Giannis Antetokounmpo remained with the Milwaukee Bucks while plenty of other players changed titles as the NBA trade deadline passed Thursday.
Antetokounmpo has been the center of attention as the trade deadline approaches amid reports that the Milwaukee Bucks have begun listening to offers for the two-time and nine-time NBA MVP. But when the deadline arrived at 3pm ET, Antetokounmpo remained in Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo, who has not played since injuring his right calf on Jan. 23, spent his entire 13-year career with Milwaukee and led the Bucks to the title in 2021.
Antetokounmpo has repeatedly said he loves playing in Milwaukee, but has also emphasized his desire to continue playing for a team committed to competing for championships. The Bucks have lost in the first round of the playoffs in the past three seasons and currently occupy 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Memphis’ Ja Morant also wasn’t traded until the deadline, though his future has been the subject of much speculation over the past few weeks.
Morant spent his entire career in Memphis, but the Grizzlies are 11th in the Western Conference standings and have already dealt two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz this week as part of a roster overhaul.
Although he is a two-time All-Star in his own right, Morant has seen his stock decline recently due to injuries and off-field issues as well as decreased production.
There were some notable trades to come Thursday, but none of them involved anyone with Antetokounmpo’s star power.
Indiana acquired 7-footer Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers. Minnesota added some scoring potential off the bench by acquiring Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls. New York gained some depth in the backcourt with the landing of Jose Alvarado from New Orleans.
Most of the big names who changed teams did so in the deals reported earlier in the week. This list of players included 2018 MVP and 11-time All-Star James Harden as well as five-time NBA All-Star selection Anthony Davis.
Pacers acquire Zubac
The Indiana Pacers paid a high price to acquire the big man. The Pacers sent Benedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and up to three draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
Zubac, who turns 29 next month, averaged 14.4 points and 11 rebounds this season. The 7-footer gives Indiana a reliable center that could help the defending Eastern Conference champions compete again when Tyrese Haliburton returns from an Achilles injury next season.
Mathurin, 23, averaged 17.8 points for Indiana.
Dosunmu is moving from the Bulls to the Wolves
As the deadline approached, the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls, a person familiar with the deal told the AP. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.
Minnesota agreed to send guard Rob Dillingham, forward Leonard Miller and four second-round picks to the Bulls for Dosunmu and forward Julian Phillips.
Dosunmu makes about $7.5 million in the final season of his current contract. The 26-year-old is averaging 15 points per game and shooting a career-high 45.1% from 3-point range. He will address the Timberwolves’ obvious need for more offense off the bench.
Chris Paul’s trade status
Toronto added a future Hall of Famer in Chris Paul, who will likely never play for the Raptors, to get below the luxury tax threshold.
The Raptors traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Paul, at least on paper. The Raptors announced that Toronto also sent forward Ochai Agbaje, who will be a future second-round pick and receive cash for the Nets.
Paul — who is expected to retire after this season — was sent home by the Clippers in November but remains on their payroll.
Cleveland trades Ball to Jazz
The Cleveland Cavaliers sent guard Lonzo Ball to the Utah Jazz for a pair of second-round picks.
Ball appeared in 35 games, including three starts, and averaged 4.6 points, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 20.8 minutes. The Jazz will be Paul’s fifth team in his seven-year career.
Knicks gets Alvarado
The Knicks and Pelicans made a last-hour deal Thursday to send Jose Alvarado to New York for two second-round picks and Dallin Terry, whom they acquired in a separate deal with Chicago, a person familiar with the deal told the AP. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced publicly.
Harden, Davis, and other notable trades
The Clippers sent Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for two-time All-Star Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick. Garland, 26, is 10 years younger than Harden.
Davis is moving from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards as part of an eight-player trade. The Wizards receive Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malachi Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks and three second-round picks.
The Wizards could eventually pair Davis with four-time All-Star Trae Young, who came to Washington last month in a trade with Atlanta. Davis and Young are both currently injured.
Dallas then sent Branham to Charlotte in exchange for point guard Tyus Jones, a person familiar with the situation told the AP. Charlotte acquired Jones from Orlando earlier in the week.
The Hawks have acquired Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick from the Los Angeles Lakers for shooting guard Luke Kennard, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not yet received the required league approval. Atlanta also received Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield from the Golden State Warriors for Kristaps Porzingis.
Both Congress leaders also made a move this week.
The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2026 first-round draft pick and three second-round picks. The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons have acquired Kevin Huerter from the Chicago Bulls as part of a four-team trade.
AP Pro Basketball Writers Tim Reynolds and Brian Mahoney and AP Sports Writers Dave Campbell, Schuyler Dixon, Joe Reedy, Charles Odom and Michael Marotte contributed to this report.
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