Rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future intensified after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the two-time MVP and his agent have held discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks about what lies ahead. With trade speculation heating up, ESPN analysts Kevin Pelton and Zach Kram used the network’s trade machine to craft five hypothetical deals that would send the 29-year-old star to the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs or Golden State Warriors.
Proposed trade packages
Hawks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Cole Anthony
Bucks receive: Trae Young; Zaccharie Risacher; 2026 first-round pick (better of Pelicans or Bucks); 2027 first-round pick (top-four protected, worse of Pelicans or Bucks); 2029 first-round pick (top-four protected in 2029–31, unprotected in 2032 if not conveyed); 2031 first-round pick (top-four protected in 2031, otherwise unprotected in 2032)
Rockets receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Alperen Sengun; Fred VanVleet; 2027 first-round pick (unprotected via Suns)
Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims
Bucks receive: Karl-Anthony Towns; Pacome Dadiet; Tyler Kolek; 2026 first-round pick (top-eight protected via Wizards, converts to 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed); 2028 first-round swap (worse of Bucks or Trail Blazers for Knicks); 2030 first-round swap (worse of Bucks or Trail Blazers for Knicks); 2032 first-round swap
Spurs receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Stephon Castle; Harrison Barnes; Kelly Olynyk; Jordan McLaughlin; 2027 first-round pick (via Hawks); 2029 first-round pick; 2032 first-round pick
Warriors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Draymond Green; Jonathan Kuminga; Buddy Hield; 2026 first-round pick; 2028 first-round pick; 2030 first-round pick (if 1–20); 2032 first-round pick
Contract status and team context
Antetokounmpo does not possess a no-trade clause. He is earning $54.1 million this season and holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027. Since leading Milwaukee to the 2021 NBA championship, the Bucks have won only one playoff series and were 10-13 after the forward sustained a right calf strain on Wednesday.
While no formal trade request has been made, the possibility alone has prompted league-wide debate—and, at least for ESPN’s analysts, five dramatic blueprints that would reshape the NBA landscape.
Source: Hoops Wire
