Bucks Notes: Giannis, Celtics, Cavs, Jenkins, More

People across the league proceed to consider that regaining management of their very own draft capital is more likely to enchantment to the bucks in any potential commerce involving Giannis Antetokounmpoin accordance with Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack hyperlink).

Jaylen Brown not too long ago reaffirmed his dedication to the Celtics after his mentor Tracy McGrady steered the veteran wing was frustrated in Boston. While Fischer says there was some hypothesis a few Brown-for-Giannis commerce, he hears the Celtics solely expressed “cursory interest” in Antetokounmpo forward of the February deadline.

Fischer “never got the sense” that Boston was an actual suitor for Giannis and in addition by no means acquired the impression that the two-time MVP was intrigued by the potential of becoming a member of the Celtics. But if a deal involving these two gamers did come to go, rival groups consider the Bucks would look to contain different groups to accumulate further property for Brown, quite than maintaining him for themselves.

Here are just a few extra rumors and notes associated to the Bucks:

• The Celtics could or might not be a suitor for Giannis, however individuals across the league assume the Cavaliers Could be in the event that they fail to advance previous the second spherical of the playoffs, Fischer writes. Sources inform The Stein Line that Cleveland contacted Milwaukee in regards to the 31-year-old energy ahead forward of the deadline and the Bucks requested for Evan Mobley and the entire Cavs’ accessible draft capital. As Fischer notes, Donovan Mitchell‘s contract scenario is similar to Antetokounmpo’s — he’ll be extension-eligible this offseason and may very well be a free agent in 2027 if he declines his 2027/28 participant choice.
• normal supervisor Jon Horst informed reporters — together with Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (subscription required) — that Antetokounmpo did not meet with new head coach Taylor Jenkins in the course of the staff’s interview course of, however the two have spoken. For what it is price, Antetokounmpo informed Owczarski he has endorsed the transfer. Jenkins is a former Bucks assistant who was the Grizzlies’ head coach for six years previous to being let go on the finish of 2024/25. “I think he’s an incredible person“Antetokounmpo said of Jenkins.”Obviously, he is an unimaginable coach. I used to be in a position to be with him in 2019 and we made the Eastern Conference finals. After he left, he was one of many first coaches that left the teaching employees and went to Memphis and he had an unimaginable six years in Memphis. He made them contenders within the West. He had unimaginable tradition in Memphis. I had the dialog. I do not assume Milwaukee is simply getting only a good coach, I feel they’re getting a superb individual. And that is the place it begins with. Having a superb individual round that is gonna be capable to set the tone, that set the tradition and what Milwaukee Bucks basketball is all about. He’s a extremely good coach.”
• In a separate subscriber-only storyOwczarski passes alongside some highlights from Jenkins’ introductory press convention, which additionally featured Horst and co-owner Jimmy Haslam. Jenkins stated his one-year stint in Milwaukee and his respect for Horst performed crucial roles in his determination to rejoin the Bucks. “When this opportunity became available, I was like, I know the people“Jenkins said as part of a larger quote.”I do know what they stand for. I do know what their requirements are going to be on a day-to-day foundation, and naturally, as we navigated this previous season as a household – acquired to spend so much of nice high quality time with them – we have been very intentional in regards to the issues that matter to us, each personally and professionally. And the individuals, that is the factor that basically gravitated us again right here to Milwaukee.”