NBA Central

The Milwaukee Bucks have underwhelmed early in the 2024-25 season amid a 1-4 start that has left the team searching for answers and other organizations keeping a close eye the superstar face of the franchise.

CBS Sports' Bill Reiter reported that teams are, per executives, "circling -- and hopeful" that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be available via trade. "I wouldn't be surprised if it happened by the trade deadline," a top executive told the insider.

Reiter's report named the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets as Antetokounmpo's preferred destinations.

Teams can take glee in the Bucks' early struggles and circle around the two-time NBA MVP all they want but it would be asinine for Milwaukee to even consider a deal at this point in the season.

Or at all.

The 29-year-old is the face of the franchise, the best player on the roster and the piece around whom the organization has been built. He led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA title and was the Finals MVP.

While the team has not made it past the opening round in the last two seasons, they have been in the playoffs every season since 2016 and a large part of that can be attributed to his development into the best player on the team and one of the legitimate superstars in the NBA.

Through the first five games of this season, the big man from Athens, Greece has averaged 30.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks. He ranks fourth in the league in scoring and ninth in rebounds. He is ranked first in defensive rebounds.

This is not a player whose skill set is diminishing or whose level of play has taken a sudden downturn. He is still an elite player in the league whose stats rank right up there alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokić, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Edwards.

Dealing Antetokounmpo, either now or later this season, would admit defeat to the rest of the league and essentially set the Bucks organization back several years. If not longer.

A player of that magnitude, both on the court as a leader of the team and off as the face of the entire franchise, does not walk through the door every day. He is not someone who the Bucks can trade away to the Heat in return for draft picks or Jimmy Butler (or both) and hope to pick up where they left off.

Giannis is a generational player, a franchise savior, and a champion.

You build an organization around him and then make trades to improve the roster elsewhere.

Not the other way around.

That is the step the Bucks need to take next, especially if the early season struggles continue. Find other role players and depth additions to surround him with. Make it appealing for him to stay so that any desire he may have of leaving the only team he has ever known dissipates.

Or, better yet, give the roster more than five games to get into a rhythm and gel before blowing things up to the extent that they trade away one of the best players of the last decade for a haul that will never adequately equate to what Antetokounmpo has brought and meant to the organization, the city, and its fans.

Pascal Siakam revealed his Halloween costume on Thursday, which could best be described as so fresh and so clean, clean.

The Indiana Pacers star forward dressed up as musician and actor Andre 3000 from his famous "Hey Ya!" music video:

What’s cooler than being cool? 🧊
🎃Happy Halloween🎃

cc :: @outkast // @andre3000 pic.twitter.com/OBUSl0rGdH

— pascal siakam (@pskills43) October 31, 2024

🥶Ice Cold🥶

cc :: @outkast // @andre3000 pic.twitter.com/8AoRnwG6xM

— pascal siakam (@pskills43) October 31, 2024

Siakam is steady winning at the moment. Alongside an epic Halloween costume, he also hit the game-winning three in Indiana's 135-132 overtime win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

PASCAL SIAKAM. CLUTCH.

Puts the Pacers up 3 with 6.1 seconds left in OT on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/lVxFwgchpx

— NBA (@NBA) October 31, 2024

"It's big," Siakam—who scored 29 points to go along with 11 rebounds—said after the victory. "We've got to be that team that fights to the end."

It was certainly a "What's cooler than being cool? Ice cold!" moment from the Pacers' star.

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine suffered a shoulder injury that has been diagnosed as a sprained left AC joint, according to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

Johnson noted that LaVine is listed as questionable heading into the Bulls' matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

The 29-year-old sustained the injury during Chicago's 102-99 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, but was able to finish the game. X-rays on his shoulder after the contest came back negative, per ESPN's Jamal Collier.

LaVine finished with a season-low 11 points in the victory over Orlando, shooting 2-9 from the field and hitting just one of his four attempts from behind the arc. He was able to pull down 10 rebounds and dish out three assists.

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan revealed that he checked with LaVine at halftime regarding his left shoulder and the two-time All-Star explained that he'd play the first five minutes of the third quarter to see if he could finish the contest (via Johnson). Donovan didn't hear from LaVine again for the rest of the game.

Despite his inconsistent performance against the Magic, the 29-year-old has started his 2024-25 campaign on a high note. In five appearances, he's averaged 23.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 43.6 percent on three-pointers.

Zach LaVine drops 30 PTS on 54.5 FG% as the @chicagobulls win a close one in Memphis! pic.twitter.com/VdZFZfkZCb

— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2024

LaVine's name has been involved in trade rumors throughout the year, as he was reportedly offered to several opposing organizations in negotiations during the offseason.

Instead, he remained with Chicago and has helped lead the team to a 3-2 start to the season. The Bulls have also been buoyed by a strong defense, owning the seventh-best defensive rating in the association (via NBA.com).

While LaVine's availability is uncertain against Brooklyn, the Bulls will still attempt to secure their third straight win on Friday. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET.

NBA executives say there is anticipation growing around the league that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could be traded this season.

"Teams are circling—and hopeful," an anonymous executive for a Western Conference team told CBS Sports' Bill Reiter.

Another NBA executive told Reiter that they "wouldn't be surprised" if an Antetokounmpo trade happened by the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

A third executive for an Eastern Conference team said they have heard Antetokounmpo's preferred trade destinations would be the Miami Heat or the Brooklyn Nets, per Reiter.

Antetokounmpo has averaged 28.8 points and 11.8 rebounds through the Bucks' 1-3 start to the 2024-25 campaign.

The Bucks opened the season with Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combining for 55 points in a 124-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Strong performances from Antetokounmpo and Lillard haven't been enough to save the Bucks from three straight losses since then. The two Milwaukee stars most recently combined for 63 total points in a 119-108 defeat to the defending champion Boston Celtics on Monday.

After expressing frustration about the Bucks' lack of "identity" after last Sunday's loss to Brooklyn Nets, Antetokounmpo shared a more optimistic perspective when speaking to reporters following the next day's loss to the Celtics.

"At the end of the day, we have a great team. I believe we will keep on playing better, learning from our mistakes," Antetokounmpo said. "Eventually, we are going to start winning games. I don't think we are far off.

"I do not care about the record. I care about keep on building, people being healthy, and get where we want to get."

After the Bucks suffered a second straight first-round exit from the playoffs last season despite their blockbuster trade for Lillard last September, the pressure is on Milwaukee to make a deeper playoff run to keep both him and Antetokounmpo bought in to the franchise's hopes of repeating its 2021 title run.

Heat star Jimmy Butler is potentially entering free agency following this season (he has a 2025-26 player option), although previous reports indicate Miami has little interest in trading him. Nets forward Cam Johnson has also been the subject of trade rumors amid the franchise's focus on acquiring draft stock.

If the Bucks continue to flounder and eventually consider trading Antetokounmpo, those names would likely come up in discussions of a possible deal with either team.

The Los Angeles Lakers will travel to the place where LeBron James began his career on Wednesday as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Ahead of the matchup, the Cavs welcomed James and his son Bronny James, who was born in Cleveland, back home with a special tribute.

Classy move, @cavs 👏 pic.twitter.com/79vHTfrwMC

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 30, 2024

Along with the James family, Cleveland honored D'Angelo Russell, who played college basketball at Ohio State. The Cavs also welcomed back Lakers assistant coach Scott Brooks, who played in Cleveland in 1997 and 1998.

There's no denying the impact James had on the Cavs organization, spending his first seven seasons in Cleveland and returning in 2014 after his four-year stint with the Miami Heat. He took the Cavaliers to five NBA Finals and delivered the city its first championship in 2016.

The Cavs needed some time to recoup after James' departure in 2018, but they've now found themselves with a solid team capable of competing for a championship.

Following an Eastern Conference semifinals appearance last year, Cleveland is off to a 4-0 start and looking to stay undefeated against James and the Lakers.

Los Angeles won its first three games of the season but picked up its first loss of the year against the Phoenix Suns on Monday, the first game of a five-game road trip.

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball said his right wrist injury is between a Grade 1 and Grade 2 sprain, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Ball added that playing on the sprain could risk exacerbation to a Grade 3 sprain, which would require surgery, per Shelburne. He will be re-evaluated in 10 days, the Bulls said on Tuesday.

Ball was injured in the first quarter of the Bulls' 126-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. He suffered the injury while bracing himself after a steal, per Shelburne, and went on to play 18 minutes in the victory.

The injury occurred in Ball's third game back from two and a half seasons sidelined with leg injuries. He has been averaging 4.7 points, shooting 35.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from behind the arc, while playing a career-low 15.7 minutes per night.

Ball recorded season highs in minutes played and points, while also recording six assists and his first block of the campaign, on Monday despite the injury. The guard attributed the feat to adrenaline, per Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune.

Lonzo Ball says his right wrist sprain occurred after catching himself awkwardly on a fall in Q1 of the Memphis game.

Noticed it felt weird in game, but adrenaline carried him.

Grade 2 sprain that they’re trying to prevent from worsening to Grade 3, which would require surgery. pic.twitter.com/cGcZnwchp9

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) October 30, 2024

Ball is currently wearing a brace to immobilize the wrist, per CHGO's Will Gottlieb.

Lonzo says he has between a grade 1 and 2 sprain but could become a grade 3 if he re-injured it. Wearing this brace to immobilize and prevent it from getting worse pic.twitter.com/yJmmeZg7Fd

— Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) October 30, 2024

Before his wrist injury, the Bulls had already implemented plans to manage Ball's return to the NBA, including resting him during back-to-backs.

Accordingly, Ball sat out the second game of the regular season due to injury management before rejoining the roster the next night to play 15 minutes in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ball is now set to miss at least the next five games for the Bulls, starting with Wednesday night's home game against the Orlando Magic. He likely would have already been sidelined for one of those five games, however, given that the stretch includes a back-to-back set against the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Bulls guard underwent multiple surgeries on his left knee since he last played in the NBA in January 2022, including a cartilage transplant in March 2023.

Ball will still be able to do lower-body work while sidelined, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network. The Bulls will hope he is able to return as soon as possible so the team can continue working on his readjustment to the NBA. Chicago could give more minutes to backup guard Ayo Dosunmu in his absence.

The Chicago Bulls announced guard Lonzo Ball suffered a right wrist sprain in Monday's 126-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Ball will get re-evaluated in 10 days, so he'll be sidelined for at least the next five games for Chicago.

The wrist injury is particularly cruel because the 27-year-old is just coming back after missing the last two-and-a-half seasons due to persistent knee trouble.

Ball made his regular-season return in the Bulls' opener and has averaged 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

"For him, he's been able to wrap his head around the fact that this is my new norm. This is my reality," head coach Billy Donovan told reporters after the Bulls' 123-111 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in their first game.

Now, the process of working Ball more fully into the rotation will have to be put on hold for the time being.

Donovan shifted the 6'6" playmaker to the bench given his lengthy layoff, so his absence won't require too many changes to how the backcourt is structured.

With Ayo Dosunmu already averaging 26 minutes per contest, other reserves will need to pick up the slack to replace Ball. Any one of Jevon Carter, Talen Horton-Tucker or Dalen Terry could be called upon to shoulder a slightly heavier load.

The vibes couldn't be better for the Cleveland Cavaliers following Monday's 110-104 win over the New York Knicks that saw Darius Garland score 15 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter to help erase a 13-point second-half deficit.

Speaking to reporters after the victory, Donovan Mitchell praised Garland for how he has started this season after a rough 2023-24 campaign:

"I'm happy for him because he went through a lot of BS last year. You have to learn from it, and you have to grow. Sometimes it's going to suck, and I think he felt that. It's a four-game sample but I have no doubt that's who he is going to be for us this season. That's who he was when he was drafted. That's who he was when he was an All-Star. I know what type of player he is. I know we can fit together. You're seeing it."

Garland finished the game with 34 points, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 33 minutes. His second block helped seal the win when he prevented a Jalen Brunson layup with 1:17 remaining and Cleveland holding a 103-98 lead.

The primary issue for Garland last season was a fractured jaw suffered in a Dec. 14 loss to the Boston Celtics that kept him out for more than six weeks. He said that only being able to eat meals through a straw caused him to lose 12 pounds.

Garland wound up having his worst season by scoring efficiency since his rookie year in 2019-20. He shot 44.6 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range in 57 starts.

Since the Cavs went 15-4 in the 19 games Garland missed due to the jaw injury and the team struggled once again the playoffs, there were questions about whether or not they would look to trade him.

Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported during the offseason that the San Antonio Spurs tried to trade for Garland, but Cleveland rebuffed any interest in the 24-year-old.

It has proven to be a smart move for the Cavs thus far. Garland is averaging 19.3 points on 54.7 percent shooting (50.0 percent from three), 5.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game in four starts this season.

First-year head coach Kenny Atkinson has the Cavaliers ranked in the top four in both offensive and defensive rating. This marks the first time they have started a season 4-0 since 2016-17 when they lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

The Cavs will look to improve their record to 5-0 on Wednesday when they welcome LeBron James back to Cleveland for a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't happy with the team's 1-2 start to open the new NBA season.

"Right now, we don't have an identity," he told reporters following a 115-102 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. "How are we going to win the game? Are we going to defend for 48 minutes? Are we going to move the ball for 48 minutes? Are we going to attack? We've gotta find an identity. We don't have that right now."

While Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combined for 43 points, the Bucks shot 30.3 percent from beyond the arc and turned the ball over 18 times. The rebuilding Nets also had a 47-43 edge in rebounding and outscored Milwaukee 38-34 in the paint.

It's far too early to ring any alarm bells, but Giannis' comments are concerning because the Bucks have lacked a firm identity since the start of last year.

Some will argue the championship window with their current core has already closed. Lillard didn't have his expected effect on their offense last season. Khris Middleton had surgery this offseason for the third year running. Doc Rivers posted a losing record as the Bucks' head coach in the second half of last season after replacing Adrian Griffin.

The hope was that having a full offseason with Rivers at the helm would make a difference. It was also tough for Lillard to find a comfort zone in Milwaukee when he got traded so close to opening night and then had to adjust to a coaching change.

Here we are, and the Bucks are still waiting for everything to click.

Falling short of the conference finals would probably be considered a disaster for the organization given its aging roster and few remaining assets that it can leverage to augment the squad.

That outcome is steadily looking more likely.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. was involved in a single-car crash Saturday following a team workout.

The Bucks said Jackson was the only person in the vehicle and didn't suffer any injuries.

Jackson is in his second season with the Bucks, who acquired him after the Orlando Magic selected him 36th overall in the 2023 NBA draft. He appeared in 57 games as a rookie, averaging 2.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per contest.

The former UConn star was briefly on the floor for Milwaukee's 124-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in its opener. He was then absent from Friday's 133-122 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

According to Mary Spicuzza and Drake Bentley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a spokesman for the Bucks confirmed Jackson will be with the team for Sunday's clash with the Brooklyn Nets, which kicks off a three-game road trip.