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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 09, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo are getting ready to part ways. Milwaukee will now sift through a multitude of offers that it will receive from teams around the league. With that, it’s still unclear if Antetokounmpo will be moved before the trade deadline.
With Milwaukee sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, the two sides have decided to part ways. Antetokounmpo will have a say in where he is moved to, as he will have to sign a contract extension. That doesn’t mean the Bucks will trade him for a low price.
In fact, the price for what the Bucks want back in return has been revealed, and it will be an expensive trade for whatever team ultimately lands him.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks to pass the ball. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Price for a Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Revealed by Bucks
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Bucks have a very high price for a trade involving Antetokounmpo. In fact, a GM told them that the Bucks are “asking for the moon”, which involves all of a team’s young players and all of their draft picks.
It makes sense that the Bucks would have a high asking price for Antetokounmpo. He is one of the five best players in the NBA when he is healthy. While he’s not healthy right now, a contender would still love to have him right before the playoffs begin.
Milwaukee is no longer on a rushed timeline. While Antetokounmpo might prefer to be moved before the deadline, the Bucks could decide to wait until the summer. That would allow more teams to be involved in offering trades and could open up the market.
The Warriors, Heat, Knicks, and Timberwolves have emerged as early contenders for Antetokounmpo, but that doesn’t mean he will ultimately end up with one of those teams. The Bucks will make the deal that is best for the long-term rebuild they will be undergoing.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to go to a Contender
Milwaukee wants to work with Antetokounmpo to find the right trade partner. Antetokounmpo wants to go to a contender, and likely won’t sign a contract extension with a team that can’t contend for a title either this season or next season.
That era has ended for the Bucks. They have the eighth-worst offense in the league, which is not conducive to winning a title. Milwaukee made a desperation move to sign Myles Turner in the offseason to make things work, but that has failed miserably.
Antetokounmpo was able to deliver the Bucks their first championship in 50 years, so the organization will always love him for that. Fans will ultimately forgive him for moving on because of the title that he helped them win. It’s reasonable for both parties to go their separate ways now.
The Bucks have about a week to find a new team for Antetokounmpo to play for this season. If they can’t find one, he will be moved in the offseason.