As the Milwaukee Bucks slide deeper into crisis, a new report indicates the franchise is quietly exploring outside help — and one potential target is Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons, a rising scorer whose name has re-entered trade discussions.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Bucks have “kept tabs” on Simons as Boston evaluates whether to move the 26-year-old guard before the February deadline. Simons is averaging 13.9 points on 40.9% shooting from three-point range and is in the final year of a four-year, $100 million contract that will pay him $27.6 million this season.
The report arrives as Milwaukee dropped its seventh straight game, falling 118–109 to the New York Knicks on Tuesday despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominant return.
Giannis Calls Out Bucks After Seventh Straight Loss
After missing four games with a left adductor strain, Antetokounmpo returned with a massive effort — 30 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists — but it was not enough to stop Milwaukee’s downward spiral. The loss pushed the Bucks to 11th in the Eastern Conference, their lowest point in years.
Afterward, Antetokounmpo delivered one of his strongest public messages of the season, calling for unity and accountability amid the slide.
“Nobody should have a personal agenda,” Antetokounmpo said. “Nobody should worry about what they want for themselves. Worry only about winning mentality. Winning mindset.”
He continued with a pointed reminder that individual concerns cannot override team priorities.
“You cannot worry about one shot or two shots that you miss, which took four seconds out of the game, to dictate 47 minutes and 56 seconds,” Antetokounmpo added. “We got to get back to that mindset. We got to get to the mindset that we’ve got to compete. We have to get to the mindset that this is not a one-man show. We have to do it together.”
The comments echoed the sense of urgency now permeating the organization as it seeks stability — and potentially help.
Bucks Monitoring Anfernee Simons as Potential Trade Target
Getty Anfernee Simons of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Detroit Pistons.
Scotto reported that Milwaukee has monitored Simons’ availability as Boston quietly evaluates cost-cutting options. The Celtics are more than $12 million above the luxury-tax threshold and explored Simons trades as early as the summer, including discussions with Brooklyn.
Boston may entertain moving Simons, but Scotto noted the Celtics are not willing to attach a first-round pick to facilitate a deal. Simons arrived in Boston as part of a blockbuster summer overhaul but has settled into an inconsistent bench role, including a five-point night on 1-of-7 shooting against Detroit this week.
He remains viewed across the league as an attainable scoring guard with upside — an appealing profile for a Bucks team struggling to find reliable offensive creation behind Antetokounmpo.
A Critical Moment for Milwaukee Amid Uncertain Future for Giannis
The Bucks’ interest in Simons comes as pressure mounts from every angle: a seven-game losing streak, defensive regression, an inconsistent offense, and growing national speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term future in Milwaukee.
Multiple league insiders have described this season as “pivotal” for the Bucks to demonstrate a clear, competitive plan to Antetokounmpo after his summer fling with the Knicks, which ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
Simons would bring secondary scoring, perimeter creation and youth — areas Milwaukee desperately needs. But the Bucks’ limited draft assets complicate any serious pursuit.
Front Office Under Pressure as Losing Streak Deepens
The Bucks now sit outside the play-in picture and are searching for answers on both ends of the floor. A move for Simons would not be simple, but the team’s presence among potential suitors signals active exploration as Milwaukee scrambles to regain its footing.
For now, the Bucks face the daunting reality that they must stabilize quickly — or their season, and potentially their long-term outlook with Antetokounmpo, may veer into even more uncertain territory.
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