A trade involving Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo appears closer than ever.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday that the franchise is “open for business on trade calls and offers” for the two-time league MVP.
The Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and New York Knicks have long been considered potential suitors for the 31-year-old forward. Charania also mentioned the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers as teams that pursued him at February’s trade deadline.
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said at a press conference last week, where the team introduced new head coach Taylor Jenkins, that he wants there to be a resolution before the draft on June 23-24. Antetokounmpo has one year left on his contract before a player option next summer, making him extension eligible in October.
“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. “And [general manager] Jon [Horst] and Taylor, along with [co-owner] Wes [Edens] and myself, will make that call and we understand the gravity of that call.”
The trade drama began last summer, when Antetokounmpo reportedly expressed a desire to play for the Knicks. Milwaukee decided to hold onto him for the 2025-26 season, but that backfired as the team limped to a 32-50 record before Doc Rivers departed as head coach.
The Bucks hold the No. 10 pick in the draft after Sunday’s lottery results. The Warriors will pick at No. 11 and the Heat are at No. 13, giving them the best draft slots among the aforementioned teams.
Charania reported that ownership and front office officials expect a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks in any potential trade, but their leverage is obviously waning as Antetokounmpo gets closer to his 2027 contract opt-out.
Antetokounmpo played 36 games this season as he dealt with groin, calf and knee injuries. He averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game while making his 10th All-Star appearance in 13 seasons.
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