Giannis Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly a top-five player in the NBA, and will go down as one of the best forwards to ever play basketball when it's all said and done.
The Greek Freak is a two-time NBA MVP, nine-time All-NBA selection, nine-time All-Star and led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA Championship in 2021.
Giannis Antetokounmpo 2025-26 NBA Stats
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Antetokounmpo is arguably the best two-way player currently in the NBA, averaging over 30 points per game three times during his career, having won the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year award and earning five All-Defensive selections throughout his career so far.
But with the Bucks struggling to contend for a title in recent years, and currently sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference with an 18-27 record, speculation about the 31-year-old's future in Wisconsin has swirled around the league.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that the Bucks are starting to listen to "aggressive" offers for Antetokounmpo, with multiple suitors already emerging for the Greek Freak's services.
Antetokounmpo is in the first year of a three-year, $175-million extension — with a player option in 2027 — he signed with Milwaukee in October 2023. He'll be eligible to sign a four-year, $275-million supermax extension on Oct. 1 2026.
But with all the speculation swirling around Giannis and the Bucks, what would be the best deal? Here are five trade destinations that make the most sense for Antetokounmpo.
1 Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo Miami Heat
Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Tyler Herro, Simone Fontecchio, Nikola Jovic, Kel'el Ware, 2030 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick swap and 2032 first-round pick
The Miami Heat are one of the serious suitors for Antetokounmpo, according to Sharania, and it's easy to see why. The Heat are looking to get back into the superstar business, hunting for big-name acquisitions for years.
A defense anchored by Giannis and Bam Adebayo is the stuff of nightmares for opponents, and while there would be a significant lack of shooting in the front court, one would imagine that Erik Spoelstra could fill in spare parts to compliment his star bigs with capable floor spacers.
Antetokounmpo and Adebayo are both represented by Alex Saratsis, and have reportedly spoken about playing together in Miami, according to Grant Afseth.
Links to Miami heated up on Wednesday when Antetokounmpo's mother, Veronica, shared an old photo of her and Giannis at the Kaseya Center (formerly American Airlines Arena), the Heat's home arena.
Herro will undoubtedly have to be part of the return, both for salary-matching purposes, and because he'd give Milwaukee a proven star to rebuild around.
2 Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry
Warriors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, 2026 first-round pick swap, 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick swap and 2032 first-round pick
The Golden State Warriors are another one of Giannis' top reported suitors, with fans salivating over the potential of uniting Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry. Despite both being on the back nine of their respective careers, Curry is still the league's best three-point shooter and having another All-NBA caliber season at age 37, while Antetokounmpo is still the NBA's most physically-dominant big man.
Golden State's trade package could also be one of the most intriguing ones offered to Milwaukee. Jimmy Butler is out for the season with a torn ACL, but is only signed for one more year, giving the Bucks significant financial flexibility when his deal ends in 2027.
Jonathan Kuminga desperately needs a fresh start and would certainly grasp at the chance of being a No. 1 option in Milwaukee, while Moses Moody gives them another young piece with potential.
Kyle Kuzma would be a nice depth piece for the Warriors without being tied down to a big contract.
3 New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson New York Knicks
Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet, first-round pick swaps in 2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032, second-round picks
Multiple reports have suggested that the New York Knicks would be Giannis' preferred landing spot. Making that happen won't be easy, however.
The Knicks don't have much in terms of draft capital after splashing major assets to acquire Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns in recent seasons. New York's offer would have to include Towns, with Antetokounmpo offering an immediate front-court upgrade. The two-time MVP would be the ideal pick-and-roll partner for star guard Jalen Brunson, opening up their offense even more.
The rest of the return is underwhelming, however. Miles McBride is a good bench piece, but Milwaukee will almost certainly field better offers than what the Knicks can put on the table. Don't discount the possibility of a three-team trade if the Knicks really want to bring Antetokounmpo to the Big Apple.
4 Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes
Scottie Barnes
Raptors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick swap, 2028 first-round pick swap
The Toronto Raptors have been surging lately, now up to fourth in the East with a 29-20 record. They've built their success off of their defense and an inspired Defensive Player of the Year bid from Scottie Barnes.
Now imagine if they added Giannis Antetokounmpo to that. Toronto would have to give up one or both of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley as the centerpiece of the return package, which would significantly hurt their talent depth.
Adding Antetokounmpo would fix one of the Raptors' biggest issues, which is their ability to get to the rim. Barrett is the only player on the current roster who consistently provides that element, and replacing him with arguably the most dominant driver in the NBA would do wonders.
But Giannis would compound one of Toronto's other major flaws: their lack of outside shooting. A core of Barnes, Antetokounmpo and Brandon Ingram would concentrate the majority of their possessions and looks within the arc, creating significant spacing issues.
Could the Raptors go all-in for Antetokounmpo and focus their gameplan on driving and defense? Certainly. How well would it work? There's only one way to find out.
5 Portland Trail Blazers
Avdija portland
Trail Blazers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Scoot Henderson, Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant, 2028 first-round pick (via Magic), 2031 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick
The Portland Trail Blazers are a bit of a darkhorse in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, but hear us out.
The Blazers have been surprisingly competitive this season, with youngsters like Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan showing they have bright futures in the league.
Antetokounmpo could be the piece to take them to next level. Giannis would be reuniting with former teammates Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday in Portland, forming a trio of vets that would undoubtedly take the Trail Blazers back to the playoffs and title contention.
Portland's offer would revolve around young point guard Scoot Henderson, who would benefit from a new situation where he'll have the freedom to develop his elite potential. Veterans like Matisse Thybulle and Jerami Grant are solid pieces that can eventually be flipped for additional assets as the Bucks begin a rebuild.
Is this the most enticing offer for Milwaukee? Probably not. But this could be a fun, under-the-radar move for Antetokounmpo.
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