The Milwaukee Bucks are once again open to exploring a trade of star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of this summer's NBA draft, ESPN reported on Monday.
The Bucks previously explored a trade of the two-time MVP before this season's trade deadline. However, they eventually informed interested teams that they would be holding onto their star player until at least the offseason.
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters last week that he wants the Antetokounmpo situation resolved before the draft
on June 23-24.
"Sometime over the next six or seven weeks we'll decide whether Giannis is going to sign a max contract and stay with us or he's going to play somewhere else," Haslam told reporters last Wednesday. "(General manager) Jon (Horst) and (new coach) Taylor (Jenkins), along with (co-owner) Wes (Edens) and myself, will make that call and we understand the gravity of that call."
Per the report, the Bucks are interested in established young talent and/or a haul of draft picks in exchange for Antetokounmpo.
The 10-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA player has averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals over 13 seasons and 895 games (830 starts) with the Bucks, leading them to the franchise's first NBA title in 50 years in 2021.
Antetokounmpo, 31, played a career-low 36 games this season as he battled groin, calf and knee injuries. His last game was on March 15, but he told reporters in early April that he was healthy and being held out by the team.
"I'm available to play, but I'm not in the game," Antetokounmpo told reporters April 3. "I'm available to play today. Right now. I'm available.
" ... "For somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it's like a slap in my face. So I don't know where the relationship goes from there."
Antetokounmpo is set to make $58.46 million for the 2026-27 season and has a player option for the 2027-28 season.
The NBA draft lottery was held Sunday, with the Washington Wizards earning the No. 1 pick and the Bucks landing the 10th overall. The draft combine is set to begin Monday in Chicago.
--Field Level Media
