The Milwaukee Bucks are working on a Plan B in order to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo, which definitely borders on a Hail Mary at this point.

Maybe nearby Green Bay and those successful last heaves on a prayer Aaron Rodgers threw are factoring into GM Jon Horst’s thinking, but word is Milwaukee is kicking around the idea of trading for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the teams have been in contact. The Miami Heat are also rumored to be chasing Antetokounmpo and contemplating whether to go all-in on change by adding Morant to the mix as well.

Morant, a former All-Star and the face of the franchise in Memphis, has been available for weeks, but the asking price for his services has been reduced dramatically this week. Teams know the Grizzlies are in the midst of a complete rebuild initiated by moving Desmond Bane to Orlando last July and Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah on Tuesday. Keeping Morant, who has clashed with first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo this season, would be a distraction and hold back the development of Ty Jerome and Cam Spencer.

Any deal in which the Bucks land Morant would almost certainly include Kyle Kuzma since the Grizzlies are unlikely to commit long-term to Myles Turner given the presence of Zach Edey, but a deal involving Kuzma and guys with player options for next season, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent and Gary Harris, could work. 

Others on expiring deals like Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony would potentially be included to make salaries match, but the bottom line is the Bucks could secure Morant for a player who hasn’t panned out in Kuzma and one who is unlikely to stay unless he receives a significant pay increase in Porter since he’s got a relatively light player option ($5.39 million) that he can waive this offseason.

Antetokounmpo would then have Morant, Turner and Bobby Portis locked into long-term deals around him while also still having brothers Thanassis and Alex on the roster, which is unlikely to happen elsewhere. 

Since the “Greek Freak” has left open the possibility of remaining in Milwaukee so long as the front office can build a winning roster around him, Horst has been able to operate without a trade demand hanging over his head. 

Prior to his most recent soleus strain, Antetokounmpo hoped to at least make the play-in and see what his team could accomplish if everyone was healthy, but the Eastern Conference has seen teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics grow stronger at the trade deadline. The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks join those two atop the East, while the Bucks, winners of consecutive games for the first time since early January, are three games back of the final play-in spot.

Milwaukee could gamble that Morant and Antetokounmpo would be able to surge down the stretch if both are healthy, but the possibility than exists that it doesn’t work, Giannis still wants out, and they’ve got Morant on the books for more than $86 million over the next two seasons.

More Memphis Grizzlies stories

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee family is facing the unthinkable after their loved one was shot and killed Monday morning inside his east side apartment building. 

What we know:

Family members and loved ones on-and-off-camera described 50-year-old Angelo Nelson as the life of every room, someone who made everyone feel special. They say his death never should have happened.

“To hear how this happened, I think that’s what hurt me more than anything,” said D’Juan Hill, Nelson’s best friend. “To know that my friend couldn’t save himself because there was nothing to be saved.”

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Hill said he and Nelson had known each other since seventh grade and recently celebrated Nelson’s 50th birthday together – one of the last moments the pair had together.

Prosecutors say 31-year-old Milwaukee man Dominic Nosacek shot and killed Nelson in the hallway of his apartment building near Ogden and Astor on Monday, Feb. 2. Prosecutors have now charged Nosacek in the case.

What they’re saying:

“It was someone’s own personal mental stability that took my friend from me,” Hill said. “I want the world to know about Angelo Nelson.”

Police initially said the shooting happened during an argument. However, a criminal complaint states Nosacek later told detectives there was never a fight.

According to court documents, Nosacek turned himself in hours after the shooting at a Department of Homeland Security building, telling security guards, “I just killed a militia, I shot him in the head.”

Prosecutors say Nosacek has a history of mental illness and domestic violence incidents and should not have possessed a firearm.

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Investigators found Nelson dead inside the apartment building.

“You are doing laundry, every day things, and to know someone in their own personal mind and space sees you and they have their own vision of who you are is unfair,” Hill said.

What you can do:

Loved ones have created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses as the family prepares to lay Nelson to rest.

What’s next:

Nosacek is now charged with first-degree intentional homicide and bail jumping. He is expected to appear in court Thursday morning, Feb. 5.

Nashville, Tenn. (Feb. 4, 2026) – Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz announced today that the team has recalled forward Reid Schaefer from Milwaukee (AHL).

Schaefer, 22 (9/21/03), has six points (4g-2a), 13 penalty minutes and 22 shots on goal in his first 25 games as a rookie this season after making his NHL debut on Nov. 28 at Chicago. Schaefer scored his first career NHL goal and notched his first fighting major on Dec. 2 vs. Calgary. He additionally has 18 points (6g-12a) in 21 games for the Admirals in 2025-26.

Originally selected by Edmonton in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Schaefer was acquired by the Predators on Feb. 28, 2023 along with, among other pieces, a first-round pick (Tanner Molendyk) in the 2023 NHL Draft from the Oilers. Now in his third full professional campaign, he owns 53 points (21-32a) in 103 career AHL games with Milwaukee; he also has three points (1g-2a) in 14 Calder Cup Playoff contests. He recorded 14 points (8g-6a) as part of an injury-shortened season in 2024-25 and, as a rookie in 2023-24, tallied 21 points (7g-14a) in 63 appearances. Prior to turning pro, Schaefer spent parts of four seasons with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, winning the league title in 2023. The Edmonton, Alta., native also won gold with Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championship.

Single-game tickets for all 2025-26 home games at Bridgestone Arena are available at Ticketmaster.com. Become Smashville Loyal with full, half or quarter season tickets to maximize your benefits and secure the best seats or take advantage of the Preds 5-Game Plans that allow you to choose your five games and get two free! For more information about season ticket plans, group tickets or premium suite rentals for the 2025-26 season, call 615-770-7800, visit NashvillePredators.com or text PREDS to 833-453-2488 to begin receiving ticket offers directly to your phone.