The Milwaukee Bucks have not reached a breaking point — but they are unmistakably at a crossroads.
Despite an 11-16 start and no clear timetable for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return from injury, league insiders say Milwaukee’s front office is sending a new message around the NBA ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline: the Bucks intend to be buyers.
That shift in posture has already begun to ripple through the league’s trade market, with Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart emerging as one of the defensive-minded veterans Milwaukee has explored, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Bucks Shift Messaging as Giannis Trade Speculation Lingers
Antetokounmpo has not formally asked for a trade, Fischer reported, and Milwaukee continues to insist publicly that its franchise cornerstone is not available.
Privately, however, the Bucks’ approach has evolved.
After repeatedly shutting down all Giannis-related inquiries, Milwaukee is now communicating to rival teams that it wants to add help at the deadline — a clear attempt to reinforce the roster and show Antetokounmpo that the organization is still pushing forward.
“After repeatedly telling teams that Antetokounmpo is not available and that it is not interested in fielding trade offers for him, now Milwaukee is messaging that it wants to be buyers at this deadline to try to get Giannis more help,” Fischer wrote for The Stein Line.
Even with Antetokounmpo sidelined and the Bucks hovering below .500, Milwaukee believes the Eastern Conference remains open enough to justify aggressive exploration.
“One rival general manager I spoke to went so far as to say that the Bucks have convinced him that ‘they’re going big-game hunting,’” Fischer added.
Marcus Smart Linked as Bucks Explore Defensive Upgrades
That “big-game hunting” mindset has brought Milwaukee back to a familiar archetype: defensive-minded guards who can stabilize playoff possessions.
The Bucks have a bottom-10 defense in the league this season.
Fischer reported that Smart — now with the Lakers — is among the players the Bucks have previously looked at and continue to monitor.
“Marcus Smart is another defensive-minded guard whom the Bucks have looked at previously, sources say,” Fischer wrote.
The appeal is obvious. Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year, brings toughness, point-of-attack defense and postseason credibility — qualities Milwaukee has lacked during recent playoff exits.
However, Fischer cautioned that a deal remains difficult to envision.
“It’s difficult to see the Lakers making him available,” Fischer wrote, noting both Smart’s favorable contract and Los Angeles’ own defensive issues.
Smart’s Resurgence With Lakers Complicates Any Deal
GettyMarcus Smart of the Los Angeles Lakers dives for the loose ball during an NBA Cup game.
Smart has quietly revived his career in Los Angeles after injury-plagued stints in Memphis and Washington following his 2023 departure from Boston.
The 31-year-old is averaging 10.1 points, 3.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, but his impact goes well beyond the box score. Smart ranks third on the Lakers in cumulative plus-minus at +70, trailing only Austin Reaves (+81) and Luka Dončić (+72), according to StatMuse.
For a Lakers team already struggling to contain elite perimeter scorers, moving Smart would risk further destabilizing a defense ranked 20th in the NBA.
That reality makes Milwaukee’s pursuit far from straightforward.
Is Milwaukee’s Aggressive Deadline Plan Even Feasible?
The bigger question, league-wide, is whether the Bucks can realistically execute the aggressive posture they are signaling.
Milwaukee’s roster is top-heavy, its draft flexibility limited, and its cap sheet restrictive. With Antetokounmpo’s health uncertain and the Bucks still searching for lineup consistency, rival executives are attempting to determine how serious Milwaukee’s buying stance truly is.
“Depending on how long it holds, this course from the 11-16 Bucks could create some friction in the marketplace,” Fischer wrote, “as rival teams seek to establish the clearest read on their intentions.”
Deadline Could Define Bucks’ Direction — With Giannis Watching
The Bucks are walking a narrow line.
Milwaukee is trying to reinforce the roster without signaling desperation — all while knowing that Antetokounmpo’s long-term commitment looms over every decision. Adding a player like Smart would not make Milwaukee a title favorite overnight, but it would represent a tangible step toward reasserting defensive identity and postseason toughness.
Whether the Bucks can turn “big-game hunting” rhetoric into action remains uncertain. But as the deadline approaches, one thing is clear: Milwaukee is no longer standing still — and the league is watching closely.
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