With Giannis Antetokounmpo remaining with the Milwaukee Bucks after the trade deadline, several unresolved storylines around the league set the stage for what could be an extremely busy offseason.
Milwaukee held trade talks involving Antetokounmpo for the first time but ultimately opted to retain him, with the goal of convincing him to commit long-term or reopening talks in the summer, when a broader group of teams may be able to make stronger offers.
The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors were among the most aggressive suitors at the deadline and are expected to re-enter once the offseason arrives.
The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks could also be in the mix depending on how far each team progresses in the playoffs.
“We’re now going to chug along until the summer because there’s a lot of unfinished business that hasn’t been completed yet,” Brian Windhorst said on NBA Today’s Trade Deadline special. “You go around the league. Everyone on the Heat was potentially offered deals. What happens if they have an early exit? A number of people in Minnesota know they’ve been offered in deals. What happens if they have an early exit? Obviously the Cavs have gone all in and shown a willingness to split their core. What happens if they have an early exit?
“You will see a review of the Giannis situation in the summer.
“We know the Clippers are now in the midst of a controlled demolition. I don’t want to use the word ‘rebuild.’ What about Kawhi Leonard?
“And then you look at Domantas Sabonis – he was drafted and they couldn’t make a deal for him. None of that mentions Ja Morant. The Knicks decided to keep their team together and not go after Giannis – what happens if they don’t reach the Finals and do this?
“Honestly, while we didn’t have a super-aggressive trade deadline, we did lay the groundwork for a wild summer.”
Transactions that did not take place on the deadline ‘laid the foundation for a wild summer’ https://t.co/Ryeob45yCp
— RealGM (@RealGM) February 5, 2026
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