Getty
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on January 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks continue to go backwards in the standings. Right now, the Bucks sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. They are just 4-6 in their last 10 games. Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to insist that he isn’t going to ask for a trade.
Yet, Antetokounmpo has made it clear in the past that he wants to play for championships. Milwaukee doesn’t look like a place where he will be able to accomplish that goal this season. If he wants to win immediately, a trade would be the best move for him.
NBA pundit Bill Simmons has a wild trade proposal for the Bucks that would see them get a solid rebuilding piece, while Milwaukee ships Antetokounmpo to an Eastern Conference rival.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the court. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Bucks Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to 76ers in Wild Trade Idea
Here is the full proposal from Simmons:
Sixers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Gary Harris
Bucks receive: V.J. Edgecombe, Paul George, 2029 first-round pick (better of Clippers and Sixers)
Adding Edgecombe would be a massive coup for the Bucks. As a rookie, he already looks like he has the opportunity to become an All-Star player in the future. Adding the 2029 first-round pick, which could be a very good one, would be the icing on the cake.
Antetokounmpo would have a shot to win a championship in Philly with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey around him in the starting lineup. He would likely sign an extension to play with that core for years to come. From his perspective, it would be a solid move.
However, Simmons isn’t sure this is a trade that the Sixers would be excited to do.
“I think they would probably not do this because they would be afraid of how mad the fan base would be, because the fan base has already decided, this is great. Maxey and V.J. Sign us up. We’re good.”
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbles the ball. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Bucks Might Make a Desperation Trade
What seems much more likely for Milwaukee at this point is for them to make a desperation trade to try to make Antetokounmpo happy. Trading the franchise player would be something that the fan base would not be happy with. That makes it all the more possible for another star.
Adding a player with a big salary is certainly less than ideal, but Jon Horst might be desperate enough to make the move. The Bucks want to keep Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee at all costs, even if it means mortgaging the future. They want to win now.
If Milwaukee does make a trade, it will likely be a big one. Otherwise, they might be stuck with the current roster. Right now, they have the seventh-worst offense in the NBA. Any trade they make would need to make the offense significantly better.
Antetokounmpo has a year remaining on his contract. Any trade that would involve him would mean he is likely going to re-sign with that new team.