The Zach Lowe Show – "Has Giannis Played His Last Game for the Bucks?"

Host: Zach Lowe
Guest: Mo Dakhil
Date: January 26, 2026
Podcast Theme: In-depth NBA discussion focused on the potential end of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s era with the Milwaukee Bucks, trade market analysis, league-wide injury impacts, and mid-season evaluations of key teams.

Overview of the Episode

In this Monday edition of The Zach Lowe Show, Zach Lowe welcomes NBA analyst Mo Dakhil to unpack a pivotal point in the NBA season:

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury and what it means for the Milwaukee Bucks’ future
The larger NBA trade landscape with the deadline approaching
How key injuries (including Ja Morant and Aaron Gordon) affect contenders
Dramatic mid-season turnarounds (Clippers, Hornets) and teams stalling out (Magic, Timberwolves)
The tone is classic Zach: insightful, conversational, and occasionally, cheerfully exasperated.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury & Bucks’ Future

[03:05]

The Bucks hit "rock bottom" after losing to an injury-depleted Nuggets team with Giannis re-injuring his calf.
"This season is toast for the Bucks if he’s out for a long time." (Zach Lowe, 06:15)
The Bucks are 18-26 (11th in the East) and 3-11 without Giannis. The difference with/without him is "positively helpless."
Zach and Mo agree: If Giannis is sidelined, the Bucks' only short-term hope is to catch the Hawks for a play-in spot. The Bulls are now safely ahead.
The Bucks’ draft situation intertwines fate with Atlanta and New Orleans via pick swaps and protections, potentially incentivizing them to "tank" for higher lottery odds.

Trade Landscape for Giannis

[08:10]

Zach: "As soon as this injury happened, everyone wondered… does that make it more or less likely they trade him before the deadline?"
Consensus: Less likely to see a trade before the deadline:
- Teams trading for Giannis now would want him to impact this season’s title race, which is complicated by his injury/recurring leg issues.
- "It’s hard to trade for Giannis in-season… that totally changes your offense. You have to revamp your offense." (Mo, 10:01)
Most realistic scenario is the Bucks holding onto Giannis, regrouping, and revisiting trade options in the offseason.

[13:32]

Offseason trade is more plausible for several reasons:
- Giannis can officially decline the extension (tantamount to a trade demand)
- Lottery positions/draft picks are known
- Teams will be more eager and asset-rich after evaluating their playoff runs
- "For Milwaukee, I just think you get more if you wait till the offseason… you can get more for Giannis." (Mo, 12:50)

Potential Suitors

Teams mentioned as possible Giannis bidders: Knicks, Warriors, Raptors (as a "wild card")
Trade rumors include complex three-team deals (Knicks/Bucks/Blazers), but nothing "passes the smell test" for Zach.
Toronto only hypothetical: "I'm never ruling them out, but this looks like a summer thing." (Zach, 17:17)
Bucks’ best-case scenario: "If you’re able to find a way where Portland’s going to give you all your draft assets back, do it. That’s the best move they could possibly make." (Mo, 20:06)

2. The Nuggets: Surviving Without Jokic

[22:45]

Denver’s Injury Plague: Jokic, Valanciunas, Christian Braun, and others all out, yet “the Nuggets are 9-5 without Jokic.”
Secret to Success: "It’s their effort level, their toughness, their valuing of every possession." (Zach, 22:51)
Bench Mob: "These are guys that are earning minutes in the rotation down the road." (Mo, 23:51)
Coaches learn who they can trust (Jalen Pickett, for example) for playoff depth.
"Aaron Gordon’s hamstring is the single most important variable potentially in the championship race." (Zach, 23:31)

Notable Moment

[24:59]
Mo likens this experience to the Spurs’ Popovich era: injury-forced opportunities let coaches find reliable role players for the playoffs, a hidden benefit of adversity.

3. Clippers’ Dramatic Mid-Season Turnaround

[30:43]

From 6-21 (rock bottom) to 15-3 in their past 18 games – “potentially the single most dramatic in-season turnaround in modern NBA history.”
"When Harden, Kawhi and Zubac are healthy, this team is really, really good." (Zach, 34:22)
Kawhi’s Surge: Averaging 32/7/4 with elite efficiency. "This is MVP-level Kawhi." (Zach, 34:28)
John Collins: Finally assertive and shooting the best of his career. "He's playing at what they expected him to be." (Mo, 35:57)
Key factors for turnaround:
- Renewed defensive focus and hustle
- Sharper three-point and free-throw shooting
- Harden playing with more “quick-twitch” speed (Zach, 44:50)

Notable Quotes

"You started this with, I will not fall for this again. I'll be curious when we get to April, who will fall for this if this kind of continues with them." (Mo, 39:32)
"Lo and behold, you don't turn the ball over, you're not giving live ball turnovers, you're allowed to set your defense." (Mo, 44:04)

4. Charlotte Hornets: Cohesion Emerging

[46:56]

Charlotte is only 18-28, but has a positive scoring differential (+24), 8th in offense leaguewide.
Zach: “It’s very clear something is happening here. There are structural things Charles Lee has done…” (48:36)
Not fouling, controlling rebounds, balanced/modern shot profile: corner threes, movement, and multiple initiators (Ball, Miller, Knipple).
Mo: "I love everything Charles Lee has put in place. And to be honest, this all started last year—the way you say it is perfect: install the infrastructure, the talent level will eventually show that it's working." (49:26)

Notable Quote

"Just stay the course right now because this is going to be the team that we'll be looking at next season… this can be that team for even next season." (Mo, 60:28)

5. Disappointment Watch: Magic & Timberwolves

Orlando Magic

[61:09]

Magic are 23-21, 8th in the East—but with a negative point differential in last 21 games.
Offense is stuck: “I just do not see…enough creativity in your offense.” (Mo, 65:53)
Problems running plays to maximize Paolo and Franz Wagner’s fit; teams go under screens and dare them to shoot; lack of off-the-dribble juice.

Notable Moment

"My favorite stat: they haven’t been in the top 20 in [offensive rating] in like 13 seasons. Since Dwight Howard was there." (Zach, 61:14)

Minnesota Timberwolves

[74:09]

Five-game losing streak after Zach called them contenders; reasons are diffuse ("death by a thousand paper cuts").
"Offense less dynamic, turnovers up, defensive hiccups… it just feels like a funk." (Zach, 74:10)
Concern: Who can ease the late-game burden on Ant? “Who can make Ant’s job easier? … They don't have anybody.” (Mo, 78:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

On the Bucks’ Dilemma:
“This season is toast for the Bucks if he's out for a long time…The whole league is assuming that at one point or another, the Bucks are just out of bullets.” (Zach, 06:15, 07:55)
On trading Giannis:
"It’s hard to trade for Giannis in season... you have to change [your offense] in one way, shape, or form." (Mo, 10:01)
On Denver's Overachieving:
"9 and 5 without Jokic? How are they doing this?" (Zach, 22:51)
"It's their effort level, their toughness, their valuing of every possession..." (Zach, 22:52)
On the Clippers: "I will not fall for this again." (Zach, 30:47)
"This is MVP-level Kawhi..." (Zach, 34:28)
"You don't turn the ball over, your defense has a chance to be set. Live ball turnovers are death to defense..." (Mo, 44:04)
On the Hornets:
"There are structural things Charles Lee has done that are really nice bedrocks to have as you build up from a team." (Zach, 48:36)
On Orlando's Offense:
"I get really mad about it because…they did nothing after [the Bane trade]…I'm just disappointed in that aspect." (Mo, 65:53, 73:30)
On Minnesota's Offense:
"Who can make Ant's job easier after that?" (Mo, 78:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[03:05] – Bucks rock bottom and Giannis injury fallout
[10:01] – Why a Giannis trade is now unlikely before the deadline
[13:32] – Offseason trade landscape and implications for Milwaukee
[22:45] – Denver Nuggets’ resilience and player development
[30:43] – Clippers’ mid-season turnaround, Kawhi’s form, and trade flexibility
[46:56] – Charlotte Hornets’ positive momentum and structural growth
[61:09] – Orlando Magic’s sluggish offense and rotation confusion
[74:09] – Minnesota Timberwolves in a funk, late-game struggles

Episode Flow and Tone

The episode moves briskly between deep-dive analysis and big-picture perspective, mixing sharp stats with playful banter—especially in the Clippers and Hornets segments. Zach is candid ("I will not fall for this again," re: the Clippers) and occasionally exasperated (on the Magic offense and Bucks), while Mo brings coach’s-eye technical clarity.

Final Thoughts—Who Should Listen

Anyone interested in:

The Giannis saga and Milwaukee's looming choices
How teams gear up (or down) before the trade deadline
What’s behind the hot and cold streaks of some of the NBA’s most interesting franchises
Genuine X’s and O’s analysis, delivered with wit and warmth

This episode is an essential snapshot of the NBA’s 2026 midway point.

The Zach Lowe Show – "Has Giannis Played His Last Game for the Bucks?"

Overview of the Episode

In this Monday edition of The Zach Lowe Show, Zach Lowe welcomes NBA analyst Mo Dakhil to unpack a pivotal point in the NBA season:

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury and what it means for the Milwaukee Bucks’ future
The larger NBA trade landscape with the deadline approaching
How key injuries (including Ja Morant and Aaron Gordon) affect contenders
Dramatic mid-season turnarounds (Clippers, Hornets) and teams stalling out (Magic, Timberwolves)
The tone is classic Zach: insightful, conversational, and occasionally, cheerfully exasperated.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury & Bucks’ Future

[03:05]

The Bucks hit "rock bottom" after losing to an injury-depleted Nuggets team with Giannis re-injuring his calf.
"This season is toast for the Bucks if he’s out for a long time." (Zach Lowe, 06:15)
The Bucks are 18-26 (11th in the East) and 3-11 without Giannis. The difference with/without him is "positively helpless."
Zach and Mo agree: If Giannis is sidelined, the Bucks' only short-term hope is to catch the Hawks for a play-in spot. The Bulls are now safely ahead.
The Bucks’ draft situation intertwines fate with Atlanta and New Orleans via pick swaps and protections, potentially incentivizing them to "tank" for higher lottery odds.

Trade Landscape for Giannis

[08:10]

Zach: "As soon as this injury happened, everyone wondered… does that make it more or less likely they trade him before the deadline?"
Consensus: Less likely to see a trade before the deadline:
- Teams trading for Giannis now would want him to impact this season’s title race, which is complicated by his injury/recurring leg issues.
- "It’s hard to trade for Giannis in-season… that totally changes your offense. You have to revamp your offense." (Mo, 10:01)
Most realistic scenario is the Bucks holding onto Giannis, regrouping, and revisiting trade options in the offseason.

[13:32]

Offseason trade is more plausible for several reasons:
- Giannis can officially decline the extension (tantamount to a trade demand)
- Lottery positions/draft picks are known
- Teams will be more eager and asset-rich after evaluating their playoff runs
- "For Milwaukee, I just think you get more if you wait till the offseason… you can get more for Giannis." (Mo, 12:50)

Potential Suitors

Teams mentioned as possible Giannis bidders: Knicks, Warriors, Raptors (as a "wild card")
Trade rumors include complex three-team deals (Knicks/Bucks/Blazers), but nothing "passes the smell test" for Zach.
Toronto only hypothetical: "I'm never ruling them out, but this looks like a summer thing." (Zach, 17:17)
Bucks’ best-case scenario: "If you’re able to find a way where Portland’s going to give you all your draft assets back, do it. That’s the best move they could possibly make." (Mo, 20:06)

2. The Nuggets: Surviving Without Jokic

[22:45]

Denver’s Injury Plague: Jokic, Valanciunas, Christian Braun, and others all out, yet “the Nuggets are 9-5 without Jokic.”
Secret to Success: "It’s their effort level, their toughness, their valuing of every possession." (Zach, 22:51)
Bench Mob: "These are guys that are earning minutes in the rotation down the road." (Mo, 23:51)
Coaches learn who they can trust (Jalen Pickett, for example) for playoff depth.
"Aaron Gordon’s hamstring is the single most important variable potentially in the championship race." (Zach, 23:31)

Notable Moment

[24:59]
Mo likens this experience to the Spurs’ Popovich era: injury-forced opportunities let coaches find reliable role players for the playoffs, a hidden benefit of adversity.

3. Clippers’ Dramatic Mid-Season Turnaround

[30:43]

From 6-21 (rock bottom) to 15-3 in their past 18 games – “potentially the single most dramatic in-season turnaround in modern NBA history.”
"When Harden, Kawhi and Zubac are healthy, this team is really, really good." (Zach, 34:22)
Kawhi’s Surge: Averaging 32/7/4 with elite efficiency. "This is MVP-level Kawhi." (Zach, 34:28)
John Collins: Finally assertive and shooting the best of his career. "He's playing at what they expected him to be." (Mo, 35:57)
Key factors for turnaround:
- Renewed defensive focus and hustle
- Sharper three-point and free-throw shooting
- Harden playing with more “quick-twitch” speed (Zach, 44:50)

Notable Quotes

"You started this with, I will not fall for this again. I'll be curious when we get to April, who will fall for this if this kind of continues with them." (Mo, 39:32)
"Lo and behold, you don't turn the ball over, you're not giving live ball turnovers, you're allowed to set your defense." (Mo, 44:04)

4. Charlotte Hornets: Cohesion Emerging

[46:56]

Charlotte is only 18-28, but has a positive scoring differential (+24), 8th in offense leaguewide.
Zach: “It’s very clear something is happening here. There are structural things Charles Lee has done…” (48:36)
Not fouling, controlling rebounds, balanced/modern shot profile: corner threes, movement, and multiple initiators (Ball, Miller, Knipple).
Mo: "I love everything Charles Lee has put in place. And to be honest, this all started last year—the way you say it is perfect: install the infrastructure, the talent level will eventually show that it's working." (49:26)

Notable Quote

"Just stay the course right now because this is going to be the team that we'll be looking at next season… this can be that team for even next season." (Mo, 60:28)

5. Disappointment Watch: Magic & Timberwolves

Orlando Magic

[61:09]

Magic are 23-21, 8th in the East—but with a negative point differential in last 21 games.
Offense is stuck: “I just do not see…enough creativity in your offense.” (Mo, 65:53)
Problems running plays to maximize Paolo and Franz Wagner’s fit; teams go under screens and dare them to shoot; lack of off-the-dribble juice.

Notable Moment

"My favorite stat: they haven’t been in the top 20 in [offensive rating] in like 13 seasons. Since Dwight Howard was there." (Zach, 61:14)

Minnesota Timberwolves

[74:09]

Five-game losing streak after Zach called them contenders; reasons are diffuse ("death by a thousand paper cuts").
"Offense less dynamic, turnovers up, defensive hiccups… it just feels like a funk." (Zach, 74:10)
Concern: Who can ease the late-game burden on Ant? “Who can make Ant’s job easier? … They don't have anybody.” (Mo, 78:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

On the Bucks’ Dilemma:
“This season is toast for the Bucks if he's out for a long time…The whole league is assuming that at one point or another, the Bucks are just out of bullets.” (Zach, 06:15, 07:55)
On trading Giannis:
"It’s hard to trade for Giannis in season... you have to change [your offense] in one way, shape, or form." (Mo, 10:01)
On Denver's Overachieving:
"9 and 5 without Jokic? How are they doing this?" (Zach, 22:51)
"It's their effort level, their toughness, their valuing of every possession..." (Zach, 22:52)
On the Clippers: "I will not fall for this again." (Zach, 30:47)
"This is MVP-level Kawhi..." (Zach, 34:28)
"You don't turn the ball over, your defense has a chance to be set. Live ball turnovers are death to defense..." (Mo, 44:04)
On the Hornets:
"There are structural things Charles Lee has done that are really nice bedrocks to have as you build up from a team." (Zach, 48:36)
On Orlando's Offense:
"I get really mad about it because…they did nothing after [the Bane trade]…I'm just disappointed in that aspect." (Mo, 65:53, 73:30)
On Minnesota's Offense:
"Who can make Ant's job easier after that?" (Mo, 78:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[03:05] – Bucks rock bottom and Giannis injury fallout
[10:01] – Why a Giannis trade is now unlikely before the deadline
[13:32] – Offseason trade landscape and implications for Milwaukee
[22:45] – Denver Nuggets’ resilience and player development
[30:43] – Clippers’ mid-season turnaround, Kawhi’s form, and trade flexibility
[46:56] – Charlotte Hornets’ positive momentum and structural growth
[61:09] – Orlando Magic’s sluggish offense and rotation confusion
[74:09] – Minnesota Timberwolves in a funk, late-game struggles

Episode Flow and Tone

Final Thoughts—Who Should Listen

Anyone interested in:

The Giannis saga and Milwaukee's looming choices
How teams gear up (or down) before the trade deadline
What’s behind the hot and cold streaks of some of the NBA’s most interesting franchises
Genuine X’s and O’s analysis, delivered with wit and warmth

This episode is an essential snapshot of the NBA’s 2026 midway point.

Has Giannis Played His Last Game for the Bucks?

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Summary

The Zach Lowe Show – "Has Giannis Played His Last Game for the Bucks?"

Overview of the Episode

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury & Bucks’ Future

Trade Landscape for Giannis

Potential Suitors

2. The Nuggets: Surviving Without Jokic

Notable Moment

3. Clippers’ Dramatic Mid-Season Turnaround

Notable Quotes

4. Charlotte Hornets: Cohesion Emerging

Notable Quote

5. Disappointment Watch: Magic & Timberwolves

Orlando Magic

Notable Moment

Minnesota Timberwolves

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Episode Flow and Tone

Final Thoughts—Who Should Listen

Further Reading & Resources

Summary

The Zach Lowe Show – "Has Giannis Played His Last Game for the Bucks?"

Overview of the Episode

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury & Bucks’ Future

Trade Landscape for Giannis

Potential Suitors

2. The Nuggets: Surviving Without Jokic

Notable Moment

3. Clippers’ Dramatic Mid-Season Turnaround

Notable Quotes

4. Charlotte Hornets: Cohesion Emerging

Notable Quote

5. Disappointment Watch: Magic & Timberwolves

Orlando Magic

Notable Moment

Minnesota Timberwolves

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Episode Flow and Tone

Final Thoughts—Who Should Listen

Further Reading & Resources