Giannis' Big Warning Spurs Bucks' Hunt for Dejounte Murray
The Milwaukee Bucks sit in a precarious spot at 14-20 and 11th in the Eastern Conference after a late collapse in a loss to the Washington Wizards. Milwaukee led by three with about 33 seconds remaining, but a couple of clutch shots from CJ McCollum flipped the result and underscored the Bucks’ need for roster reinforcements. The slide has intensified pressure on the front office and coaching staff, and it has prompted renewed trade speculation ahead of the February 5 deadline.
According to Marc Stein’s newsletter, the Bucks have revisited past interest in All-Star guard Dejounte Murray. Milwaukee previously explored Murray when he was with the Atlanta Hawks, and sources suggest that interest could resurface as the team searches for backcourt help. Murray’s situation is complicated: he’s returning this month from an Achilles rupture and carries a $30.8 million salary, factors that make any potential deal both risky and costly for a franchise seeking immediate upgrades.
Giannis Antetokounmpo — dealing with his own calf issue that cost him eight games and has left him on a minutes restriction — has been vocal about the team’s inconsistent commitment. Despite limited time on the floor, Giannis delivered 33 points and 15 rebounds in the loss to Washington, showing he can still shoulder heavy production. He has openly emphasized that a few committed players can lift a team while uneven effort across the roster drags it down, and he’s urged the front office to act to restore the Bucks to contender form.
If Milwaukee pursues Murray, the potential payoff would be a guard capable of playmaking, ball-handling and scoring that could relieve pressure on Giannis and steady the offense. But the club would have to weigh his recovery timeline and significant salary against the urgency of improving now. With the Bucks within reach of teams like Atlanta and Chicago in the standings, the coming weeks could determine whether Milwaukee doubles down to chase a playoff seed or looks to other, less risky roster moves to stabilize the season.
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