Sports
The best- and worst-case trade scenarios for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fantasy value
Giannis Antetokounmpo is synonymous with the Milwaukee Bucks. But the writing is on the wall in increasingly large font that his time with the Bucks could be ending. In addition, Giannis is dealing with a calf injury that has him sidelined “indefinitely,” which practically translates to the four-to-six-week range that could have him out until March.
If Giannis were to be traded by this season’s NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5, what would it mean for fantasy squads? And what are the best and worst cases of trade destinations from a fantasy perspective?
If Giannis is on your team, would a trade change his fantasy value? And if Giannis isn’t on your fantasy squad, should you trade for him?
Let’s explore.
How fantasy managers should anticipate a Giannis trade
Giannis is the most traded player in fantasy hoops over the past week, ahead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Michael Porter Jr., Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
This is especially interesting considering Giannis’ injury status. Based on his uncertain prognosis, it’s possible Giannis doesn’t even play again before the fantasy playoffs in March.
On the other hand, last season’s major in-season trade involved Jimmy Butler III, who was also nursing an injury before he was traded to Golden State, but Butler returned to the court immediately after the trade. Given the popularity of Giannis in fantasy trades, perhaps there is some belief that he will be moved from Milwaukee and that he might be able to return to action sooner.
Another factor in his fantasy trade popularity could be his currently depressed value. Giannis is a perennial top-five producer in the fantasy rankings, but due to the injury and trade speculation his fantasy value is as low as it has been.
So, teams willing to speculate on Giannis even given the uncertainty might agree to split the difference between Giannis’ typical top-five ranking and his current top-40 ranking in deals. And fantasy managers with Giannis might be worried enough about his situation to make deals happen.
If Giannis is traded, what are the most likely destinations? Bobby Marks wrote a detailed breakdown of the potential trade market for him, featuring what all 29 teams could offer and the 11 teams that could make the best offers.
Best-case scenario
From a fantasy hoops perspective, the best of the article’s 11 trade destinations for Giannis would likely be the Warriors. This is an ironic twist because last season the Warriors were in this space as the best potential landing spot for Butler as well. After Butler was traded there, he was a perfect fit from an NBA and a fantasy perspective.
But Butler recently tore an ACL and is out for the season. The Warriors still have veterans Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as their core and therefore need to win now.
The article didn’t include a specific proposed trade package but mentions the deal would have to include Butler and his $54 million salary. It also suggests the Warriors would likely trade Jonathan Kuminga and perhaps Brandin Podziemski, both talented young players who could become players to build around for the would-be rebuilding Bucks and up to four first-round picks. To make the salaries match, the Bucks would have to include either Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma.
This would be the perfect fantasy landing spot for Giannis because we would see him play next to the greatest shooter in NBA history. No player in the league collapses defenses like Giannis, and no player creates and takes advantage of space more than Curry. Plus, Curry is one of the best at moving without the ball and shooting off the pass.
Part of the reason Giannis and Damian Lillard never seemed to maximize their synergy is because Lillard liked to create his shot off the dribble and never seemed to get fully comfortable with Giannis creating his shots for him. The entire Warriors offense, including much of Curry’s synergy with Green, has been predicated on Green finding Curry for spot-up jumpers. It would be even more lethal with Giannis as the one collapsing the defense and creating even better looks.
With Giannis and Curry on the same team, opponents would have no defensive strategy to cover that one-two punch. Outside of Curry, and previously Butler, the Warriors don’t have any other high-usage shot creators. On the Warriors, Giannis would be able to maintain his maximal usage but against much softer defensive coverage. This could result in increases in volume and efficiency for Giannis and even more 3-point production from Curry and the other Warriors.
Worst-case scenario
From a fantasy hoops perspective, the worst-case scenario would be Giannis being traded to a contending team with multiple high-usage shot creators who would take the ball out of his hands or an equal opportunity offense where Giannis can’t be featured to the same extent.
Of the teams deemed best situated to deal for Giannis, the Houston Rockets (assuming they kept Durant and Alperen Sengun), the New York Knicks (if, as the article mentions, they swap Giannis for Towns straight up), the Oklahoma City Thunder (next to Gilgeous-Alexander and potentially Jalen Williams and/or Chet Holmgren) and the San Antonio Spurs (next to Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox) are all teams that would become championship favorites with Giannis but that would depress his fantasy value.
And adding Giannis to any of those teams would just as likely attenuate the fantasy values of the other star players on those teams.
What to do
If Giannis is on your fantasy team
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Explore his trade value in your leagues. If you can get a top 10 to 15 player in value in return you should strongly consider dealing him to avoid the uncertainty of the injury and unknown potential trade destination.
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Even if you can only get top 20 to 25 value, it could be worth it, particularly because the injury could keep him sidelined for much of the remainder of the fantasy season.
If Giannis isn’t on your fantasy team
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Explore how much the manager with Giannis wants for him. The ideal profile of a team that should trade for him is a team already near the top of a league that is likely to make the playoffs, even if Giannis doesn’t play until the fantasy playoffs.
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For a team like this, dealing for Giannis now at roughly top-25 player value could result in them adding a top-five caliber player just in time for their playoffs run. If you deal for Giannis, you know you’re taking a risk, so use your mouthpiece to try to make the deal for as little as possible.
Liverpool are considering Newcastle United‘s Anthony Gordon as an upgrade on Cody Gakpo, while Roma‘s defender Wesley França is a target for Arsenal.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Liverpool could replace Cody Gakpo with Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon in the summer, according to TEAMtalk. Gakpo has been offered to clubs in the Premier League, including Tottenham Hotspur, and around Europe as Liverpool attempt to gauge interest in the Netherlands international through third-party representatives. Gakpo’s departure could make way Gordon who continues to impress Reds’ officials, though Newcastle have made no secret of their intention to keep the 25-year-old on Tyneside. Gordon spent part of his youth development at Liverpool before joining Merseyside rivals Everton in 2012, where he began his professional career at Everton.
– Arsenal are stepping up their quest for Roma’s in-form defender Wesley França, with Ben White set to make way in the summer, according to TEAMtalk. Brazilian right-back França has been a revelation since joining the Italians from Flamengo last summer, the 22 year old impressing with a four-goal haul. Arsenal scouts have also noted his athleticism, defensive diligence and attacking capabilities. Everton are also interested. The Gunners are also monitoring Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Nnamdi Collins and Monaco‘s Vanderson. Meanwhile, White’s departure has been sanctioned by the club if the right offer comes along.
– Barcelona and Real Madrid are both planning to test the water for Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in the summer, but City are not planning on allowing the 25-year-old to leave, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke. Haaland is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2031, and City are looking to sign players in other positions around him, rather than allow their main striker to leave. Haaland has been out of form by his high standards — scoring just five goals in 18 appearances since the turn of the year — prompting suggestions he may consider a new challenge, and the two Spanish giants remain intent on trying to lure the Norway international to LaLiga as a statement signing. O’Rourke also reports that should manager Pep Guardiola leave the club, City would prefer to replace him with Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, rather than other possible candidates such as Enzo Maresca or Luis Enrique.
– Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti is keen on signing Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger and, in doing, so fend off interest from a number of Premier League clubs, according to Tuttosport. Spalletti and Rüdiger worked together at Roma, and it remains an ambition of the Bianconeri boss to re-sign the 33-year-old, ideally on a two-year deal, to bring some stability to his back line. Spalletti sees the Germany defender as the perfect short-term addition to his squad, with his UEFA Champions League experience and leadership qualities both valuable qualities. Rüdiger is available on a free transfer at the end of the season. However, Diario AS reports that there has been a “radical twist” in the situation, with a contract renewal for the defender now on the cards. Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa enthusiastically said on Saturday that he’d “build a statue to Rüdiger and put it in my garden.”
– Atlético Madrid have bid €35 million plus bonuses for Atalanta midfielder Éderson, according to Sportitalia’s Alfredo Pedulla. The Italian club are hoping to recoup closer to €40 million for the Brazilian. Éderson was a key member of the team as Le Dea won the Europa League and finished fourth in Serie A in 2023-24, and since then he has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs for several seasons. The 26-year-old’s contract in Bergamo is due to expire at the end of next season.
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OTHER RUMORS
– Liverpool are ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. Real Madrid are willing to listen to offers in the region of €50 million. (Caught Offside)
– Despite being heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle, particularly to Manchester United, Bruno Guimarães is committed to the north-east. (Newcastle Chronicle)
– Inter Milan and Juventus are tracking the situation of Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, hoping the 21-year-old could form an integral part of their midfield rebuilds in the summer. (Ekrem Konur)
– Arsenal could allow a number of players to leave in the summer as they look to freshen up their squad and build on what they hope will be a title-winning season. (Daily Telegraph)
– Liverpool winger Giorgi Mamardashvili is a target for European clubs and he could be tempted with the promise of more game time. (Football Insider)
– Rangers boss Danny Röhl has expressed his desire to extend Mikey Moore‘s deal beyond the end of the season, whether it’s a loan move or permanent deal. The 18-year-old was on the scoresheet for Rangers against Aberdeen on Saturday. (Daily Mail)
– Xabi Alonso is the leading contender to replace Arne Slot should the Dutchman be relieved of his duties as Liverpool Manager. Slot came under fresh pressure following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion. (Football Insider)
Sports
PSL matches to go ahead without spectators under govt’s austerity drive amid regional crisis: Naqvi
LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in a major announcement on Sunday, said that the much-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches will be held without spectators as part of the government’s austerity measures amid ongoing regional crisis.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the tournament will be limited to two venues, Karachi and Lahore. He added that the decision aims to reduce public movement.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.
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No. 12 High Point put everyone on notice for the second time in as many games this March Madness, but could not find the same success.
After advancing to the Round of 32 following an upset victory over No. 5 Wisconsin, the Panthers’ season ended after No. 4 Arkansas ran away from them late Saturday night.
High Point led by as many as five early in the game, and they were up 56-52 with 14:17 to go after going on a 12-2 run.
Both teams exchanged buckets for several minutes, with no one expanding their respective leads by more than three points for a little while.
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High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and guard Rob Martin (3) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
With 7:04 to play, the Panthers took a 72-71 lead, to which the Razorbacks responded with a 10-2 run, putting them up by seven and giving them their largest lead of the night.
The game was then quickly tied at 83 after a wild run by High Point, but over the final 3:19, Arkansas outscored High Point, 11-5, to snatch the victory, despite a valiant effort from the Panthers.
High Point Panthers forward Terry Anderson (5) drives against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Malique Ewin (12) and forward Billy Richmond III (24) in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
Arkansas was favored by 11.5, and while they couldn’t cover, it was another Sweet 16 appearance for legendary head coach John Calipari.
Two Panthers, Rob Martin (30) and Cam’Ron Fletcher (25), combined for 55 points, but Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas trumped everyone by dropping 36.
Arkansas will face the winner of No. 1 Arizona and No. 9 Utah State in the Sweet 16.
High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and forward Braden Hausen (15) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
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High Point’s victory over Wisconsin on Thursday marked their first ever in March Madness after making the tournament last year for the first time.
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