Although the Bucks are more willing than ever to consider trading two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the widespread expectation around the league is that the Giannis saga will extend to at least Thursday and potentially well beyond that, according to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
As Bontemps and Windhorst note, general manager Jon Horst and the Bucks won’t want to rush into an Antetokounmpo trade without making sure they’re getting the best deal they can. Three sources who spoke to ESPN speculated Milwaukee will decide not to pull the trigger until the offseason.
“I’m just not sure why it wouldn’t make sense to wait,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “They can see where the draft (lottery) is, and survey their options then.”
Several of the teams involved in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes will be in position to offer stronger trade packages in the summer. For example, the Knicks don’t have any of their own first-rounders to move now, but could put two (2026 and 2033) on the table in the offseason. The Heat have two of their own first-round selections available right now, but could offer as many as four (one would be conditional) in June.
Additionally, Bontemps and Windhorst write, the fact that Antetokounmpo is currently out indefinitely due to a calf strain is another factor for the Bucks to consider as they decide whether or not to wait. If Milwaukee plans to pivot into tank mode to improve its 2026 first-rounder (the team controls the last favorable of its own pick and the Pelicans’ pick), hanging onto the superstar forward and shutting him down may be the best way to do so.
Here’s more on Antetokounmpo:
- Appearing on The Zach Lowe Show (Spotify link; 19:00 mark), Howard Beck of The Ringer suggested the Lakers may appeal to Antetokounmpo as a landing spot. “I was told recently that the Lakers were a team to keep an eye on from Giannis’ standpoint, just as another team of interest,” Beck said. However, he acknowledged that Los Angeles probably doesn’t have the pieces necessary to make a strong offer, at least until the offseason. The Lakers can only offer one first-round pick (2031 or 2032) right now, but could include up to three (2026, 2031, and 2033) in an offseason package.
- While one Thursday report suggested Antetokounmpo is intrigued by the idea of teaming up with Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia, there has been no indication to this point that the Sixers are planning to make a play for the nine-time All-Star. In fact, Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (Twitter link) spoke to a league source who “completely shot down” the idea that Philadelphia would be willing to include standout rookie VJ Edgecombe in an offer for anyone on the trade market, including Giannis.
- Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca spoke to several sources around the NBA about what it would take for the Raptors to acquire Antetokounmpo, and the general consensus was that the Bucks would be unlikely to make a deal that doesn’t include Scottie Barnes. One executive who talked to Grange suggested that Toronto could still make a competitive proposal centered around draft assets (four first-round picks and three pick swaps) and promising youngsters like Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamal Shead, but Grange views either scenario as a long shot.
- In the latest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (YouTube link) observes that teams pursuing Antetokounmpo will have to determine not just whether they’re comfortable giving up a huge trade package for him, but also whether they want to do a four-year extension projected to be worth $275MM when he becomes eligible in October. That contract would begin in 2027/28, his age-33 season. “I think most teams would say yes, but I’m not sure everybody would. In fact, I know that,” Windhorst said. “There’s one team I talked to who would be able to put a package together, a pretty compelling package, and they said, ‘We’re just not crazy about that contract, with our other options that we can do. Just don’t know if we want to commit to $275MM to him.’ And you can’t trade all that stuff if you’re not that committed to him.”
If he isn’t traded by the deadline, it will hold all of the other trades up until the last minute
That’s how it usually is for the most part, but normally a few trades wpuld have happened by now.
Thursday deadline will be wild.
The sixers brought in Morey just for this type of situation. Sitting out on a chance to land Giannis would be a big mistake. Sixers have young talent +very highly coveted Clippers pick and swap. Morey needs to at least swing
Agree. George and Edgecombe and a couple firsts is a very strong package. They should absolutely do it. Get a little lucky with Embiid’s knees next year and that team’s a terror.
I doubt VJ would be on the table (I would vote no if he was). I would also prefer to send out Joel and retain PG. Joel, McCain the clippers pick and anther first or 2 (lightly protected). I would make this trade primarily to get off of Joel’s contract. If we can’t do that, I would rather not make any trades.
Paul George was just suspended 25 games so I doubt he’ll be traded lol
True dat
The Sixers are very good at drafting. Just look at Maxey, McCain, and VJ. Only one of the three is even a top 5 pick. Even with how good Embiid has been lately there’s no way that you can rely on him or expect him to be healthy even for these playoffs. Paul George is a big injury concern too. Even if you put George in the trade package Giannis hasn’t exactly been the poster child for staying healthy either. There’s zero reason for the Sixers to mortgage the future when they lucked into a new young core.
Disagree 100%. Morey was brought in to get the team over the hump(which he hasn’t been able to do). Sure young talent is nice but Giannis talent is worth taking a swing at. Morey needs to take a swing here.
What is required?
Milwaukee is reportedly seeking a “blue-chip young talent” and a significant package of draft picks in any potential deal.
Who are serious?
Charania added that the Knicks, along with the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors, are among the teams seriously monitoring the situation.
Who have no assets now?
Knicks and Wolves
Nobody would offer 2 unprotected Firsts for McDaniel and OG because they are overpaid
McDaniels is VASTLY underpaid. A team would give up 2-3 first rounders for Jaden.
He’s far better than Bane, he’s 3 years younger and he’s got a far better contract.
Bucks want high-value first round picks. I have posted the requirements this week.
IMO, Nobody would offer 2 Firsts for McDaniel or OG. Let’s wait and see.
Thunder’s first round picks are similar to 2nd round pick.
OG would bring back good value too. He is one of the best defenders in the league, has a skill set that just about every team could use and his contract is fine. I think two picks is possible.
He’s a good player. Jaden is quite a bit younger and cheaper so it makes him more valuable.
Agreed, and less injury prone
Raptors should just trade Poetl,Quickley, Mogbo and a 2027 first for Sabonis,Ellis & Schroder.
Spurs should just pull the trigger …….. save us all.
I am hoping for a wild trade deadline. The Kings need to be all in.
Barnes is the best player available by a mile. But the NBA doesn’t want this. The Raptors have to offer their best young player while the Warriors have to offer the ghost of Butler and the scrub Kuminga.
Bucks are not taking the warriors offer. That is just click bait stuff. Bucks want a young player with huge upside so it’s not the warriors.
You mean the Bucks won’t take old injured Butler? No, say it ain’t so. Oh and the added bonus of Kuminga just eating up all that cap.
You can’t rebuild without picks and cap space.
This Giannis to warriors thing is a non starter. To be fair if I’m running this site I’m 100% winding Davey up and watch him go around in circles too.
Gee who wouldn’t want a $52 million player eating up your cap space that may not play next year. I am surprised. Funny how the media claims the Bucks would take that deal. Curry wouldn’t be happy if Green was traded instead.
I don’t hear any Tatum for Giannis rumours. Mustn’t be sexy enough. I’m sure the media has finally given up on trying to separate or drive a wedge between the two J’s.
Haliburton for Giannis, nah. It’s one foot out the door toward retirement Jimmy who may never be anywhere near old Jimmy letalone prime Jimmy Buckets.
Tatum is better than Giannis. People are still thinking he is in his prime when his age been showing. Look at the Bucks team it’s not that bad so why can’t he win with that lineup??
I don’t think Giannis could do anymore, the supporting cast been way down. Except for Rollins who is young and bound to make mistakes. Fancies himself as a bit of Kobe but closer to cam Thomas at this point.
Myles Turner has fallen off a cliff. Porter been injured. Kuzma is all about Kuzma.
Boston on the other hand play together. All their players are coachable and play their role for the good of the team.
Giannis wasn’t lying when he said this bucks team was selfish in my opinion.
Tatum gunna drop only 3′ after his achille tear
I’ll take that bet.
In July this year
Butler has an expiring contract, and is more tradable than Paul George.
Warriors are more willing to take negative assets in Kuzma
Butler’s contract is guaranteed next year.
Once the Spurs pass on a player, his value decreases tremendously. Watch the return that the Hawks got for Trae Young as a prime example. Also, every player or coach that the Spurs incorporated in their system has additional value. Otherwise, the Knicks wouldnt give a fook about Jeremy Sochan.
Go spurs goooo
He’ll be a Laker. Silver will see to it.
As far as waiting for the draft lottery, that is only relevant to the extent that the Hawks, Thunder, or Spurs are involved. Those are the only teams that are any good at all who are likely to have picks in the 2026 lottery.It still might be the case that he doesn’t get dealt until this summer, but is more likely to be because it would be hard to pull off a multi-team trade for him and because a lot of teams a(including both the Thunder and Spurs) might be hesitant to mess up their vibes and try to incorporate Giannis halfway into the season when things are going relatively well for both organizations.
I think another interesting angle here is that the Bucks don’t have their own picks, so they can’t control their own draft destiny for several years unless the trades are with teams that own the Bucks’ picks and swaps.
Finally, the $20million/yr of Dame’s stretched cap hit is going to make it very difficult to build a winner in the near term. Are the Bucks comfortable being bad and not benefitting from being bad for a few years? Or are they going to want to have a team that will get butts in the seats? For the Bucks to be anything other than awful they are going to need to get something back, even if it’s just a washed up big name/salary with future draft picks attached.