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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks waits to tip-off against the Atlanta Hawks 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)
As the 2025-2026 NBA season reaches the final stage before playoffs, many are wondering what’s next for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Since last summer, Antetokounmpo’s name has been brought up in countless trade rumors. Nobody expects that to change once the trade market opens back up. Several teams will be in high pursuit of Giannis, and most of them are obvious suitors.
However, four “asset-rich” teams were pegged as clubs to keep an eye out for when the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes are back on.
Who Could Surprise The Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Market?
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GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo is expected to hit the trade block again this summer.
To no surprise, all four teams are currently viewed as championship contenders.
According to the Miami Herald, the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Detroit Pistons “might rethink” their stance on a possible Antetokounmpo move if they don’t reach or win the NBA Finals in 2026. Obviously, that could be three or all of them.
The Rockets are no strangers to swinging for a big move in the summer. Last year, they won the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, hoping the star forward could bring them much-needed championship experience as they looked to improve their success in the postseason. As of February 24, the Rockets are 35-21, sitting third in the Western Conference.
As for the San Antonio Spurs, they are right in front of them. With a 41-16 record after the break, the Spurs are proving to be the Oklahoma City Thunder’s biggest competition. After taking down the Detroit Pistons on February 23, the Spurs are in the midst of a nine-game winning streak.
A front-court combination of Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama would be dangerous to the rest of the NBA, but the Spurs have shown a willingness to commit to their current roster. Being a young team without any playoff experience, they might not look for a big shot if they come up short this year.
More Bucks News: Giannis Antetokounmpo Gets Trade Prediction From NBA Insider
The Detroit Pistons turned their franchise around in 2024-2025 with a playoff run that ended in the first round. Similar to the Spurs, the Pistons haven’t made any massive shake-ups. This isn’t the first time Detroit was listed as wild cards for Giannis. But the Detroit front office hasn’t been eager to look for a blockbuster deal.
Lastly, the Cleveland Cavaliers could enter the picture. Count Giannis as the second-biggest star on the Cavs’ rumor radar. After making a major move at the deadline to acquire James Harden, the Cavaliers are expected to give some consideration to LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers star is on an expiring deal, and his future out West is up in the air.
Is Giannis Ready To Move On?
GettyWhat’s the latest on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade mindset?
Antetokounmpo has consistently denied wanting to leave the Bucks’ organization, but he continues to leave the door open for a potential change of scenery.
The fact is that Giannis wants to contend for a title. He’s getting older, but still able to produce at an MVP level. Holding and hoping the Bucks can build a championship-ready roster has proven to be a failing strategy since the Bucks won it all a few years back. If Antetokounmpo asks for a trade, there is a good chance he gets one this summer.
Ultimately, the ball is in the Bucks’ court. They’ll have plenty of strong offers coming in. If not from the aforementioned wild cards, the Bucks could see offers from the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and potentially even more. All 29 teams would be right to make the call.
The narrative surrounding Giannis sounds like a broken record at this point, but Antetokounmpo’s days in Milwaukee could seriously be numbered.