Theoretically speaking, every NBA team should want Giannis Antetokounmpo on their team, so all of them should at least kick the tires on trading for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar power forward.
Trading for the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player is going to be easier said than done, however, due to a number of reasons, and it is especially going to be harder for cap space-constrained teams to find a way to acquire Antetokounmpo, as noted by respectedNBA analyst Bobby Marks of ESPN.
“But if Milwaukee decides the best path forward is indeed to trade Antetokounmpo now, which franchises have the draft capital, the contracts and the young stars to swing a deal? (An important reminder for teams chasing Antetokounmpo: Any franchise without cap space would have to send Milwaukee at least $43.5 million in salary and remain below the first apron.)”
How will the Bucks-Antetokounmpo saga end?
Despite Antetokounmpo already saying he wants to stay with the Bucks, it does not necessarily mean he won’t be moved for the right price.
For one, he doesn’t have a new contract with Milwaukee, which means if the Bucks don’t trade him, he could leave Milwaukee as early as the summer of 2027, as he has yet to make a decision on his player option worth over $62 million for the 2028-29 campaign.
Selected 15th overall in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Bucks, Antetokounmpo has not played for any other team so far in his career in the league. He is a certified Milwaukee legend regardless of whether he stays or not in Cream City past this season, but a breakup of any manner will not be easy for Bucks fans.
Jan 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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