Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Heat Up
There’s a chance that Giannis Antetokounmpo could be traded by the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. The team’s owner has suggested that a trade for the 31-year-old star might happen before he enters the final year of his contract unless he signs an extension soon. While there are several possible destinations for him, two teams seem to be more actively pursuing a deal, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Stein mentions that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the teams making the strongest moves behind the scenes. He also pointed out the Orlando Magic as another potential suitor, especially since they recently hired Sean Sweeney as their head coach. Sweeney, who came from the Spurs, has a history with Giannis from their time in Milwaukee.
Both the Heat and Trail Blazers appear to be logical options for Antetokounmpo’s potential trade. Miami has historically been a popular landing spot for star players, and under Pat Riley, they are consistently on the lookout for big names. They could offer a package that includes Tyler Herro, Kael Ware, Kasparas Jaxionis, and draft picks from 2026 and 2030.
The Blazers naturally fit as trade partners too, given that they have first-round swap rights with the Bucks for 2028 and 2030 from a previous trade involving Damian Lillard. It’s uncertain how these pick values might shift with new lottery reforms, and the system could look quite different by 2030. Portland might start with a pick swap, add Jerami Grant’s salary, and include a young prospect like Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe. However, Grant’s current two-year, $70.6 million deal complicates matters; the Blazers may need to throw in an unprotected first-round pick for 2032 to sweeten the deal.
As for the Oklahoma City Thunder, they’re unlikely to be in the running for Giannis after their disappointing exit in the Western Conference Finals. Sam Presti usually takes a long-term approach, and the team’s recent performance was hampered by injuries to key players like Jaylin Williams and Ajay Mitchell. With financial adjustments looming, the Thunder probably won’t pursue aging players on expensive contracts.
Interestingly, it’s possible that Antetokounmpo might accept a max extension to put an end to the trade talks entirely. However, given the Bucks’ current position, a trade feels increasingly probable.
Stein indicates that a deal for Antetokounmpo could materialize in the next few weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst referred to it as being in the “deal zone.” Clearly, it seems we’re nearing a pivotal moment for a potential Giannis trade, so stay tuned.
