NBA trade rumors continue to link the Portland Trail Blazers to the Giannis Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes. In the latest example, The Stein Line’s Marc Stein reported Monday that the Blazers and their old trade-negotiation foe, the Miami Heat, are both vying to land the Milwaukee Bucks superstar (subscription required).
More and more, with sources saying Miami and Portland are already in pursuit, Antetokounmpo’s future is increasingly expected to be resolved over the next few weeks in conjunction with NBA
Draft proceedings.
Following Portland’s first-round playoff exit, reporting and speculation has pointed to the Blazers’ possible involvement in an Antetokounmpo trade — whether that be as the team acquiring Antetokounmpo or as a facilitator in a deal involving three or more teams.
Back on May 2, The People’s Insider’s Jake Fischer, who contributes to The Stein Line, reported the Blazers were interested in acquiring Antetokounmpo for themselves. Fischer noted the franchise checked in with Milwaukee about a possible deal around February’s NBA Trade Deadline. Just last week on May 28, NBA reporter Chris Haynes said he has heard Portland has “serious interest” in trading for Antetokounmpo.
“I do believe if Portland were to come with something really serious, I do believe Giannis would at least consider it,” Haynes said during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio’s Deals and Dunks show. “It wouldn’t be a situation where he would just say, ‘Nah. Throw it in the trash.’”
Antetokounmpo’s preference in his landing spot is expected to play a significant role during trade negotiations, particularly because the 2026-27 season is the last guaranteed year on Antetokounmpo’s contract (he has player option for 2027-28). If Portland acquired Antetokounmpo, it would be a reunion for him and former teammates Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday.
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said in early May he wants Antetokounmpo’s future with the franchise settled before the NBA Draft on June 23-24.
