Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo
Since the NBA offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks have been wrapped up in a lot of trade drama surrounding superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
While the Bucks opted to keep him heading into the 2025-26 season, the situation has continued moving towards the two parties divorcing. There is a chance that a trade could occur before the NBA trade deadline on February 5, but that doesn’t seem as likely following Antetokounmpo’s recent calf injury.
Teams will still be calling Milwaukee with interest in Antetokounmpo leading up to the deadline, but a new update has provided a more clear timeline for a potential move.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks seem much more likely to trade Antetokounmpo after the season ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft than at the deadline.
“Said one league source particularly well-versed in Bucks matters: ‘This is shaping up to be a draft-day kind of thing.’ Said another: ‘It’s happening.’ Meaning a trade in conjunction with the draft if not now,” Fischer wrote.
He continued on, sharing more about the benefit for Milwaukee of waiting until after the season ends.
“Waiting until after the NBA’s lottery drawing in May to truly launch into the process of parting with their Face of the Franchise via trade would at least enable the Bucks to know exactly what potential trade partners can offer in terms of 2026 draft capital.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Had an Incredible Tenure With the Milwaukee Bucks
Few players have made the kind of impact on a franchise that Antetokounmpo has made on the Bucks.
Antetokounmpo has played in 13 seasons with Milwaukee so far. He has appeared in 889 games and made 824 career starts, averaging 24 points per game to go along with 9.9 rebounds, five assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals.
Not only has Antetokounmpo had a lot of individual success with the Bucks, he was also able to lead the franchise to an NBA Finals win back in 2021.
Regardless of how ugly the ending of his time in Milwaukee ends up being, Antetokounmpo will never be forgotten by Bucks fans. It will feel very strange seeing him play for another team, assuming he does get traded.
Where Could Giannis Antetokounmpo Be Traded?
Plenty of potential trade destinations have been suggested for the 31-year-old superstar.
On the outside looking in, the New York Knicks appear to be a front-runner to acquire Antetokounmpo if he’s made available. The Knicks have been heavily connected to him since the offseason and the superstar has reportedly had interest in playing in New York.
There are other teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, and Miami Heat who have come up as possible suitors.
When and if Milwaukee makes him officially available, offers are going to be flying at the Bucks. Lots of teams would love to add a new franchise face like Antetokounmpo.
Only time will tell whether or not Milwaukee actually does part ways with him, but everything seems to be pointed in that direction.