Six Possible Paths for a Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade as Deadline Nears
giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-proposals-bucks-deadline-2026
The Milwaukee Bucks and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo are closer than ever to a breakup, according to league sources, and rival general managers have until Thursday’s NBA trade deadline to convince Milwaukee to move its franchise star.
ESPN insiders Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton assembled six trade frameworks—four primary bids and two wild-card ideas—while front-office analyst Bobby Marks, acting as Bucks general manager Jon Horst, judged each proposal.
Golden State Warriors
Warriors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner
Bucks receive: Jimmy Butler III, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, first-round picks in 2026, 2028 and 2030 (top-20 protected), a 2031 pick swap and a 2032 first-rounder
Golden State can ship four of its own firsts plus two swaps while matching salary with the injured Butler, whose expiring deal could be flipped next season. Marks called it the simplest two-team package on the table.
New York Knicks / Portland Trail Blazers (three teams)
Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday
Trail Blazers receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Miles McBride
Bucks receive: Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle, Guerschon Yabusele, Washington’s 2026 top-eight-protected first, the best of Bucks/Blazers/Celtics 2029 firsts, return of 2030 swap rights, plus 2030 and 2032 swaps from New York
The complex deal helps Milwaukee regain future picks lost in the 2023 Damian Lillard trade but saddles the Bucks with Grant’s $70 million over two seasons. Marks said the key question is how much Milwaukee values control of its own draft.
Miami Heat
Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Kel’el Ware, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, 2030 swap rights and an unprotected 2031 first
Miami’s offer mixes two unprotected picks with 21-year-old center Ware. Because the Heat cannot top other teams’ draft packages, Marks believes the scenario works only if Antetokounmpo specifically requests South Beach.
Minnesota Timberwolves / Toronto Raptors (three teams)
Timberwolves receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Gary Trent Jr.
Bucks receive: RJ Barrett, Joan Beringer, Rob Dillingham, Julius Randle, Terrence Shannon Jr., Toronto’s 2026 and 2029 first-rounders, 2028 and 2030 swaps, and three second-round picks
Raptors receive: Cole Anthony, Jaden McDaniels
With limited firsts of their own, the Timberwolves reroute McDaniels to Toronto for extra picks, giving Milwaukee a haul of draft assets, recent first-rounders and veteran contracts. Marks labeled it a package that could eclipse Golden State’s offer.
Wild card: Philadelphia 76ers
76ers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Paul George, rookie VJ Edgecombe, the Clippers’ 2028 first-round pick and Philadelphia’s unprotected 2030 first
Edgecombe, averaging 15.4 points as the No. 3 pick, is the centerpiece. George is owed $110.7 million over two years and is serving a 25-game suspension. Marks selected this bid as the top overall offer because it delivers a blue-chip prospect and two unprotected firsts.
Wild card: Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Lonzo Ball, Evan Mobley, Jalen Wilson, Cleveland’s unprotected 2031 first
Brooklyn Nets receive: Max Strus, 2030 and 2032 pick swaps via Cleveland
The structure gets Cleveland below the second tax apron and hands Milwaukee All-NBA defender Mobley plus a distant first. Marks praised the creativity but noted Cleveland would need assurance Antetokounmpo would sign an extension.
After weighing every scenario, Marks deemed Philadelphia’s proposal—headlined by rookie VJ Edgecombe—the best path for Milwaukee, asserting that landing a blue-chip talent on a rookie deal outweighs larger pick totals elsewhere.
Source: ESPN
