The Milwaukee Bucks are now facing the music. They're not going anywhere with their current roster and don't have avenues to vault them back into contention. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been more patient with them than they deserve, but his reported frustration makes it feel like a trade is on the horizon.
"Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it very clear that he wants to compete for championships..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 23, 2026
That isn't what has transpired in Milwaukee this season..
The Bucks and Giannis have major decisions to make the next two weeks" ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/bDiNEFCXTk pic.twitter.com/i42KJ3LZgz
Even if it isn't, he suffered yet another calf injury which will keep him on the sidelines until March at the earliest.
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo tells media postgame tonight he has a right calf strain and expects to miss 4 to 6 weeks. MRI on Saturday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 24, 2026
What does this have to do with the Utah Jazz? Well, because of the Giannis drama, no matter whether he's out with an injury or traded at the deadline, it effectively guarantees the Bucks will (mostly) tank for the rest of the season.
This season, Milwaukee does not owe anyone a pick directly, but they could swap picks (that would make them worse). The Atlanta Hawks are owed either the Bucks' or the New Orleans Pelicans' pick in a pick swap this year. Because the Pelicans have been among THE WORST NBA teams this season, the Bucks wouldn't (likely) lose anything if they decided to punt on the season.
This is trouble for the Jazz. While Giannis is tantalizing as a trade target for Utah, Milwaukee could complicate Utah's tank if their season winds up worse than Utah's in the end. No, it's not a big deal if the Bucks are worse in terms of getting better odds at a higher pick than the Jazz, but having one more team worse than the Jazz could hurt their chances of keeping their pick from Oklahoma City.
Where the Bucks currently compare to the Jazz
At the moment, the Jazz are 15-31 while the Bucks are 18-26, giving the Jazz a four-game edge in the tanking race. Utah is No. 6 in the tanking standings (giving them a 96.2% chance of keeping it) while Milwaukee is No. 8. With less than half the season to go, the Bucks have enough time to catch up. It will also get harder for the Jazz to stay at No. 6, let alone go higher.
Per Tankathon, the Bucks have the 10th-easiest schedule from here on out, which should help the Jazz keep them at an arm's length, but the Jazz themselves have the sixth-easiest schedule, which could complicate things.
The Jazz have already been blatantly tanking this season to the point that it's downright laughable, but now they might have to pull out all the stops to ensure their easier schedule doesn't get in their way or give the Bucks the chance to pass them in the standings.
If there's anyone to blame for this, it's the Pelicans for being as bad as they are in a season where they cannot afford to be bad because it makes life twice as hard for the Jazz's tank. While many already believed it was already over for the Bucks, no one thought they'd be where they are right now.