NBA trade rumors: Bucks reportedly open to trading Giannis Antetokounmpo before NBA Draft
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Giannis Antetokounmpo’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks may be coming to an end.
The Bucks are “open for business” when it comes to listening to trade offers for the two-time MVP. ESPN reported Monday. This is the final chapter in the saga of whether the team will actually sign him.
The team is reportedly looking for “a young blue chip prospect and/or a lot of draft picks” in a potential deal for Antetokounmpo.
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo plays during a game against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 10, 2026. (Jeff Hanisch/Imagn Images)
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam, who also owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, said last week he hopes to make a deal before the NBA Draft.
“I think it’s a natural time before the draft,” Haslam said at a news conference introducing new head coach Taylor Jenkins. “Because if Giannis plays somewhere else, we have to have a lot of presence. That’s a job Jon has to do. And if he’s here, then you build the team differently.”
Antetokounmpo stated that he loved playing in Milwaukee, but wanted to play on a team that was determined to win and compete for championships.
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo watches after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
The Bucks first signaled their intention to do so when they acquired Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the 2023-24 season. However, an Achilles injury shortened his time in Milwaukee and he later re-signed with Portland.
Milwaukee finished the 2025-26 season 32-50 and missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
“We never had any problems communicating directly with Giannis and always knew where he stood,” Haslam said. “And I think he always knew where we stood. We’ve had those conversations since the season ended. … So in the next six or seven weeks, we’ll make a decision whether Giannis is going to sign a max contract and stay with us or play somewhere else or play somewhere else. And (GM) Jon (Horst) and Taylor, (co-owner) Wes (Edens) and I will make that call, and we understand the seriousness of that call.”
The Bucks are the 10th seed in the first round, and preparations can be made for the future if the trade happens.
Antetokounmpo has been sidelined the last few games. The Bucks said he was injured, but the 10-time All-Star said he was healthy enough to play.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks walks courtside during the EuroLeague playoff basketball game between Olympiacos and AS Monaco on April 30, 2026 in Piraeus near Athens. He’s wearing a T-shirt with Michael Jordan on it. (Petros Giannakouris/AP)
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He finished the year averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 36 games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
