The ball is beginning to roll on the Milwaukee Bucks’ offseason, which could include moving on from Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bucks are listening to offers on a potential Antetokounmpo trade over the next several weeks:
“The Milwaukee Bucks are open for business on trade calls and offers for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo entering the NBA draft combine and over six weeks away from the draft, league and team sources told ESPN. There is expected to be a robust
market for Antetokounmpo, and ownership and front-office officials expect to maintain their trade deadline asking price of a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks, sources said.“
This report doesn’t exactly tell us anything new about a possible Giannis trade, and Charania has said this type of thing many times before. But it could have other teams pandering between now and the NBA Draft, which is just over a month away on June 23–24. It would be wise for the Bucks to drum up as much interest as possible to create a bidding war between the teams that are interested in Antetokounmpo, which would allow the Bucks to get the best offer possible.
Teams like the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers (since they own Milwaukee’s first-round picks from 2028–30) make the most sense out of the gate, but other teams could emerge as possible destinations for him. The main thing Antetokounmpo wants is a chance to win another championship, so teams that are a player away could be other options for him. If squads like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets are willing to make a move, the Bucks should look to do business with them.
Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discussed what teams would and wouldn’t make sense in a trade offer, but also adds this important caveat:
“Heading into the February trade deadline, team sources maintained to the Journal Sentinel that any potential deal for the star would require ‘everything’ in terms of young players and future draft assets. If the Bucks maintain such a firm stance on a big return, it might be more indicative of the team’s willingness to continue to retool around its star.“
