Dwight Howard Takes Victory Lap After Giannis Stays With Bucks

The Bucks have told teams they plan to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo through Thursday’s trade deadline, and former All-Star Dwight Howard publicly celebrated that choice after urging Giannis to stay. Milwaukee sits 20-29 and 12th in the East; the team is 15-15 with Giannis and 5-14 without him. There is a growing sense he may not play again this season while the club protects a 2026 first round pick, a scenario that could turn a peak-age year into a lost campaign for the star. Merlin sees a pragmatic pause, not a peace treaty. Keeping Giannis now preserves front office flexibility and avoids a chaotic midseason split, but it risks deepening frustration if the superstar sits out. The true outcome will likely wait for the offseason, when trade possibilities or an extension will reveal whether Milwaukee rebuilds around him or moves on.