No Dunks – "What Now For Giannis, The Bucks & NBA Trade Deadline?"

Date: January 29, 2026
Hosts: J. Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD (producer)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the seismic Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, breaking down potential destinations, trade packages, and consequences for the Milwaukee Bucks and the broader NBA. The hosts dissect reports that Milwaukee is finally listening to trade offers for Giannis, analyze hypothetical deals, and discuss the timing and complexity of a potential blockbuster move. The conversation also weaves in reactions to the idea of Giannis controlling his next destination, the trade calculus for both buyers and sellers, and implications for other stars and teams as the trade deadline approaches.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Giannis On the Trade Block: Reactions and Fallout

• [00:28–04:42]

  • ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Giannis is ready for a "new home" before the February 5th trade deadline or in the summer—prompting immediate speculation and "emergency pods" across NBA media.
  • The Bucks are now listening to offers—a significant change in posture.
  • Trey Kirby notes Giannis' injuries and Milwaukee’s stagnation have accelerated this situation: “Last four playoffs, I've been injured in two of them. My right calf has been hurt twice over the last couple months. And maybe he's saying ... I don't know how many more years I got left." [01:54]
  • Tas Melas: “This was kind of like a Garth Brooks video. Let the conversations begin. But Giannis is doing his thing where he's like, 'I will not specifically say the words I request a trade ... ' but this is basically Giannis and the Bucks ... working together, saying, let's start a bidding war here." [03:29]

• Deadline-vs.-Offseason Trade:

  • J. Skeets emphasizes how the new CBA and cap constraints make big superstar trades much tougher during the season.
  • Offseason trade benefits the Bucks (greater market, more contracts/picks to work with); deadline swap likely helps Giannis’ new team get a 2026 playoff run.

2. Giannis’ Leverage: Control and Contractual Maneuvering

• [05:29–08:36]
  • Any team giving up their assets will want assurances Giannis will sign an extension rather than walk after a year.
  • J. Skeets: "This isn't like the Raptors rolling the dice on Kawhi... you're giving up a lot."
  • Giannis’ agent/extension situation—and possible agency switch to Rich Paul—adds yet more complexity and potential deadline pressure.

3. Hypothetical Trade Scenarios: Deep Dive into Options

a. Atlanta Hawks

• [09:44–18:12]
  • Hawks’ coveted asset: Most favorable 2026 first-round pick (Pelicans/Bucks).
  • Deal framework discussed: Giannis for Kristaps Porzingis, Zachary Reese, Keaton Wallace, and the 2026 first.
  • Tas Melas: “The Hawks to me actually have the two best trade assets for Giannis right now ... Number one being the New Orleans slash Milwaukee pick ... Number two would be Jalen Johnson.” [11:37]
  • The Hawks' willingness to trade both Jalen Johnson and the pick is unlikely.
  • Trey Kirby: “I think the Milwaukee Bucks will get a better trade package than this ... they're not a Giannis away from a championship. They need more.” [13:38]
  • Hawks are young and possibly inclined to wait until the draft order is known.

b. Golden State Warriors

• [18:22–23:01]
  • Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy’s claim that "trading Jimmy Butler III is not something the Warriors could envision" is dismissed by the hosts as posturing if Giannis is available.
  • Proposed framework: Giannis+brother+Bobby Portis for Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, 3–4 first-rounders + swaps.
  • Tas Melas: "This is seeming more likely to me … Jimmy Butler got injured. Like, I don't believe Mike Dunleavy either ... I actually do think they would trade him. This would be the perfect use of an injured contract." [19:20]

c. Miami Heat

• [23:01–28:13]
  • Standard Heat package: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Terry Rozier (expiring), plus picks/swaps—but far fewer than Warriors/Hawks, and the picks are further out (2030, 2032).
  • Trey Kirby: "The players going to Milwaukee... Tyler Herro kind of flies under the radar as an injured guy ... I just don't think it's all that sexy for Bucks fans." [27:00]
  • Hosts consider this the weakest likely package; the Heat may have to wait until offseason for more pick flexibility.

d. New York Knicks

• [28:13–31:21]
  • Knicks are reportedly on Giannis’ preferred list, but have little immediate draft capital to offer.
  • Possibilities include involving a third team or moving OG Anunoby/Josh Hart; would require Bucks to massively favor Giannis’ wishes over return value.
  • J. Skeets: “Like, man, Milwaukee would just be doing Giannis the ultimate favor if there's, like, no real picks coming … that is silly if they do that.” [30:43]

e. Other Teams

• [32:23–34:40]

  • Raptors: Unlikely to offer Scottie Barnes; Brandon Ingram (if available) not an equivalent centerpiece.
  • Rockets, Spurs: Both asset-rich but reportedly not making offers; offseason might have yielded more.
  • Trey Kirby: “Listen, this national podcast hasn't even mentioned the Los Angeles Lakers, so good for us.” [35:14]
  • Philly, Thunder, others: Theoretically have assets, but no traction.

• Notable Data Point:

  • J. Skeets (citing Bobby Marks): “Seven teams … control 50% of the tradable firsts in the next seven years.” [38:02] – exemplifies how cap/asset constraints shape the market.

4. Giannis’ Preferences and Team Leverage

• He can shape his destination thanks to extension leverage and the goodwill built with Bucks ownership.
• Teams out of contention or not on his list (Brooklyn, Charlotte, etc.) are unlikely to get involved meaningfully.
• Final short list for likely buyers: Warriors, Heat, possibly Hawks or Knicks (contingent on asset aggregation).

5. Other NBA Headlines & Listener Questions

LeBron James’ Emotional Return to Cleveland

• [43:08–47:44]
  • Tribute video apparently brings LeBron to tears; speculation on whether LeBron returns to Cavs for a third stint.
  • Trey Kirby: “You guys are good. You got me. … But I don't think he's done.” [43:56]

Knicks’ Four-Game Streak & Identity

• [51:27–57:45]
  • Knicks discussed as a rising threat; Mikal Bridges’ accountability post-slump and the team’s “chip” against Toronto.
  • J. Skeets: “When you watch [the Knicks] play like this, I'm 100% convinced they can win a title.” [56:03]

Pelicans’ Price for Trey Murphy III & Herb Jones

• [58:42–61:34]
  • Front office seeking a "Desmond Bane–like package"; consensus among hosts is that Murphy could net multiple firsts, but not Herb Jones.

Jason Tatum’s Uncertain Return

• [62:36–65:37]
  • Latest on Tatum’s Achilles injury and debate over whether he returns this season; opinions split, major mental/health roadblocks discussed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This was kind of like a Garth Brooks video. Let the conversations begin. But Giannis is doing his thing where he's like, I will not specifically say the words I request a trade … but this is basically Giannis and the Bucks ... working together, saying, let's start a bidding war here."
  — Tas Melas [03:29]

• “I think the Milwaukee Bucks will get a better trade package than this. ... They're not a Giannis away from a championship. They need more.”
  — Trey Kirby, re: Atlanta trade hypotheticals [13:38]

• “This is seeming more likely to me than I would have thought. And it's because Jimmy Butler got injured... This would be the perfect use of an injured contract.”
  — Tas Melas, on Warriors [19:20]

• “This isn't like the Raptors rolling the dice on Kawhi ... Giannis is going to get a hell of a package. ... It allows Giannis and his agent ... to sort of have, like, a preferred destination.”
  — J. Skeets [07:25]

• “Seven teams ... control 50% of the tradable firsts in the next seven years.”
  — J. Skeets, quoting Bobby Marks [38:02]

• “Has there been a moment like this where the draft experts get every pick out there into the database, they catalog everything and then they show you everything? ... Not 29.”
  — Tas Melas [41:14]

Timestamps by Segment

| Timestamp | Segment/Key Topic | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:28–04:42 | Giannis to the Trade Block: Initial Reactions | | 05:29–08:36 | Giannis’ Contractual Leverage and Agent situation | | 09:44–18:12 | Atlanta Hawks Trade Scenario | | 18:22–23:01 | Warriors Trade Scenario, Butler’s Injury, Outbidding Pressure | | 23:01–28:13 | Miami Heat Scenario: Flimsy Package, Timing Implications | | 28:13–31:21 | Knicks: Asset Woes, Third-Team Complications | | 32:23–34:40 | Other Teams (Raptors, Rockets, Spurs, Lakers, Sixers, etc.) | | 38:02 | Bobby Marks’ stat on draft pick concentration | | 43:08–47:44 | LeBron’s Return to Cleveland: Emotions & Speculation | | 51:27–57:45 | Knicks’ Streak, Bridges’ Accountability, Raptors Analysis | | 58:42–61:34 | Pelicans’ Ask for Trey Murphy III/Herb Jones | | 62:36–65:37 | Tatum Return Update & Celtics Dynamics | | 66:17–73:29 | Quick Fire: Other NBA Takeaways (Hornets, Spurs-Rockets, etc.) | | 73:29–77:29 | End-of-show banter: Pick’Em Payoff, Listener Prompts |

Tone and Style

The conversation is breezy, jokey, and knowledgeable, with plenty of NBA insider references, running jokes (e.g., “Guaranteed Human”), and the friendly roast vibe familiar to No Dunks fans.
Debates are lively but analytic, with hosts quickly referencing players, contract minutiae, and league history.

Takeaway for Non-Listeners

If you haven’t heard the episode, here’s what to know:

• The Giannis trade window is officially open, with the Bucks engaging in talks for the first time. This is expected to set off a bidding war, though the timing (deadline vs. summer) may depend on flexibility and team needs.
• Major bidders include the Warriors (most likely), the Hawks, and possibly the Heat or Knicks—each scenario has dramatic pros/cons, leveraging assets, and depends on assurances of Giannis’ long-term commitment.
• The show also delivers rapid-fire analysis of trade rumors, team surges (Knicks, Cavs), and updates on stars like LeBron and Tatum, with characteristic wit and inside-baseball NBA talk.
• Everyone agrees: the NBA landscape is about to shift, with Giannis at the epicenter.

Closing Quote:
"We're constantly evaluating who's got the best package. I mean, what team's got the best package? Yeah." — Trey Kirby [78:04]