Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the first half of the game against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum on December 11, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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Heading toward the midpoint of the NBA season and the trade window officially opens, every team looking to win the league championship is seeing if they can make the major move of landing multi-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Well, or so we thought.

NBA correspondent Marc Stein recently broke that while there is a hot market for the “Greek Freak,” not every contending team in the league is prepared to attempt a trade for him during the season.

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Stein believes the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have lost only two games this season, will not be taking any calls to land Antetokounmpo.

Already the best team in the NBA and looking to build a dynasty around their young core and plethora of first-round draft picks, they aren’t expected to lose any premium capital or take on the heavy contract (and extension) of one of the richest players in the game.

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 03: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after an apparent injury against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on December 03, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

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Other than the Thunder, another young team rising up the ranks, the San Antonio Spurs, are expected to stay firm with their foundation and build around Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs are in the NBA Cup Finals on Tuesday against the New York Knicks, and any move for Antetokounmpo would fracture any sort of supporting cast they’re trying to perfect to complement Wembanyama’s strengths.

Finally, the Houston Rockets are said to be out of the race for Antetokounmpo, as they are another team with a slew of young players, anchored by an older star in Kevin Durant, that doesn’t feel like it needs to shift anything in the current campaign to win a title.

The current frontrunners linked to Antetokounmpo appear to be the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors. The Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves have also been mentioned as having interest, depending on the price.

Antetokounmpo remains out with a calf strain for the Milwaukee Bucks, and is expected to be back sometime late December or early in the new year.

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