Sources: Bucks countering trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo

With three days until the NBA trade deadline, the market for Giannis Antetokounmpo has begun to move forward as the Milwaukee Bucks have submitted counteroffers to teams aggressively seeking a deal for the two-time MVP, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday.

After being reluctant to trade Antetokounmpo throughout his career in Milwaukee, the Bucks have now actively engaged with a few teams regarding a potential league-altering trade.

The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks are among the most active suitors for a deal before the deadline, sources told ESPN.

The Bucks (18-29) lost a fifth straight game with a blowout defeat Sunday against the Boston Celtics, falling to 12th in the Eastern Conference. To part ways with the team’s franchise player, Milwaukee is seeking blue-chip young talent and/or a surplus of draft picks in exchange, sources told ESPN.

Antetokounmpo has informed the Bucks for months that he believes the time is right to part ways after more than 12 years together, sources told ESPN.

He played in 30 games this season, averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 64% shooting. He is currently out with a right calf injury which he said would keep him out for four to six weeks. The Bucks have not released an official timetable for his return.

Milwaukee will begin a three-game homestand this week, with games against Chicago and New Orleans before Thursday’s deadline at 3 p.m. ET.