Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors tracker: Latest news on Knicks, Warriors, other potential destinations for Bucks star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After months upon months of speculation and rumors that Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the move, the Milwaukee Bucks finally appear ready to move those talks forward.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith the NBA's trade deadline quickly approaching, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Jan. 28 that Antetokounmpo is "ready for a new home," as Milwaukee is "starting to listen" to offers from other teams for its star big man.
As the Bucks have struggled throughout Antetokounmpo's injury absences this season, the chances of a franchise-altering trade have seemingly been growing. Will Antetokounmpo find a home away from Wisconsin for the first time of his star-studded career?
Here are the latest trade rumors surrounding Antetokounmpo.
MORE: Looking at Warriors' options after Jimmy Butler injury
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGiannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors tracker
Trail Blazers emerge as potential landing spot
Date: Feb. 2
Source: Jake Fischer
According to Fischer, former Bucks and current Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard is trying to recruit Antetokounmpo behind the scenes. Lillard played for Milwaukee for two years before returning to Portland in the offseason, and is currently recovering from an Achilles injury.
Antetokounmpo could be turned off by older teams
Date: Feb. 2
Source: Jake Fischer
According to Fischer, Antetokounmpo may not want to face the same criticism that Kevin Durant dealt with when he joined the Warriors. Therefore, Antetokounmpo may not be as excited to join the Warriors and Stephen Curry as maybe he once was.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWarriors, Heat, Knicks, Timberwolves among 'serious' suitors for Antetokounmpo
Date: Feb. 2
Source: Shams Charania, ESPN
ESPN's Shams Charania singled out the Warriors, Heat, Knicks and Timberwolves as four of the most serious suitors for Antetokounmpo, adding that the Bucks have received serious offers and sent counteroffers to certain teams as the deadline looms.
Heat "expected" to offer several players, two picks and three pick swaps for Giannis
Date: Feb. 2
Source: Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
Jackson reported that the Miami Heat are expected to offer an extensive trade package for Antetokounmpo. The offer is anticipated to be Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Terry Rozier, young players, 2 1st-round picks and 3 pick swaps, per Jackson.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKnicks not heavily pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo
Date: Feb. 2
Source: ESPN's Brian Windhorst
A day after The Athletic reported that the Knicks are inquiring about Antetokounmpo, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on "Get Up" Monday morning that, "The Knicks believe in this team.. They believed in this team last summer when Giannis was loosely available in those discussions. They didn't make an aggressive offer at the time of those talks. If they want to win a bidding war now, i think its going to take a 3 or 4 team trade.... That is just not happening. They are not showing that aggression to get Giannis right now and I think thats because they like this team."
Warriors open to trading all but Curry for Giannis
Date: Jan. 31
Source: Anthony Slater, ESPN
Slater reported that according to team sources, "there's a sense on the ground that everyone on the Warriors' roster, besides star guard Stephen Curry, is vulnerable as the front office chases Antetokounmpo.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSixers shut down idea of VJ Edgecombe trade for Antetokounmpo
Date: Jan. 30
Source:Kyle Neubeck
Neubeck communicated with a league source this morning, who completely shot down the notion that the Sixers would trade VJ Edgecombe under any circumstances, including in speculative negotiations involving Antetokounmpo.
"Should go without saying, but he’s part of the foundation in Philly," said Neubeck.
Antetokounmpo interested in Lakers as future destination
Date: Jan. 30
Source: HoopsHype
Howard Beck reports that the Lakers are a team to keep an eye on from an Antetokounmpo standpoint. Beck claims there is difficulty with trade assets, but that they have more than enough draft capital.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEastern Conference teams in contention for Antetokounmpo
Date: Jan. 30
Source: ESPN
ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst make the case that eight Eastern Conference teams have the assets for such a trade.
These teams include the following: Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic.
Nets may make offer for Antetokounmpo
Date: Jan. 29
Source: New York Post
Brian Lewis notes that while the Nets may not be primarily focused on winning games this season, they’ve always had their eyes on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their ongoing rebuild shouldn’t stop them from considering a bid for the Bucks' superstar.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBucks are "asking for moon"
Date: Jan. 29
Source: Jake Fischer
Per Fischer, a general manager told him that Milwaukee is "asking for the moon" for the Giannis Antetokounmpo return.
"All of your young players and all of your draft picks," Fischer said he was told on Thursday morning.
Warriors have contacted Bucks, "expressed their firm interest"
Date: Jan. 29
Source: Anthony Slater
Per Slater, the Warriors have contacted Milwaukee about Antetokounmpo and "expressed their firm interest" and their "willingness to put a substantial offer" on the table.
It's "unclear" whether Antetokounmpo would welcome a Warriors trade. League executives told Slater that they believe the quicker the Bucks move in a trade, the better it could be for Golden State. The Warriors can offer up to four first-rounders, also owning young talent in Jonathan Kuminga and potential salary match in Jimmy Butler.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHeat, Knicks, Warriors, Timberwolves listed as top suitors
Date: Jan. 29
Source: Sam Amick
Additionally, in Amick's Thursday report, he cited the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves as the "leading suitors," clarifying that it's still "tricky territory to navigate."
Giannis previously said he'd 'never ask for trade' in January
Date: Jan. 29
Source: Sam Amick
The language over the past year about whether or not Antetokounmpo has requested a trade has remained murky. Earlier in January, prior to the latest reports indicating the Bucks star is ready to move on, The Athletic's Sam Amick reported that Antetokounmpo said he would "never ask for a trade out of Milwaukee" and it was not in his "nature."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow, Amick writes that it's easy to see why Antetokounmpo could have had a change of heart, with recent Bucks losses and a bleak future. Per Amick, this is "the strongest sign yet" that the Bucks want to know what the market looks like for Antetokounmpo, and he confirmed that the Bucks are engaging with interested teams.
Warriors best positioned for Antetokounmpo trade
Date: Jan. 28
Source: Brian Windhorst
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports the Golden State Warriors might be best positioned for an Antetokounmpo trade because of their need for a star and their control over all of their future draft assets. "Everyone else is gonna have to try to beat a strong Golden State offer if it comes," Windhorst said.
Bucks' loss to Thunder was 'point of no return' for Antetokounmpo
Date: Jan. 28
Source: Jake Fischer
According to Fischer, the Bucks' loss to the Thunder last week, and Antetokounmpo's postgame "frustrations," were viewed as "as a point of no return." From Bucks teammates and other figures, the feeling is that the "writing is on the wall,” for Antetokounmpo, per Fischer.
Knicks will be among teams to make 'aggressive' offer for Antetokounmpo
Date: Jan. 28
Source: Ian Begley
New York has already been the top expected destination for Antetokounmpo, reportedly showing interest last summer, but SNY's Ian Begley reports that the Knicks will now be "among teams making aggressive offers" to the Bucks, adding that the Heat will be in the mix.
Antetokounmpo 'ready for a new home,' Bucks willing to listen to offers
Date: Jan. 28
Source: Shams Charania
Since the 2025 offseason, rumors have been on-and-off surrounding Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee. At some points, he's made it clear he wants to remain with the Bucks. At others, Charania has reported that Antetokounmpo has shown interest in a trade, and before the 2025-26 season, the Knicks were a reported preferred destination for the Bucks star.
With the trade deadline looming, Charania reported Wednesday that Antetokounmpo is "ready for a new home" and the Bucks are "starting to listen" to offers from other teams. Additionally, other teams have "received a sense that the Bucks are more open than ever to Antetokounmpo offers between now and the deadline."
Charania also reported that the Bucks are not "in a rush" to make a move and could still revisit an Antetokounmpo trade in the offseason. Milwaukee is believed to be pursuing "a blue-chip young talent and/or a surplus of draft picks."
According to Charania, Antetokounmpo has been informing the Bucks "for months" that he believes the time to part ways has come.
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Giannis contract details
Part of the navigation when it comes to a potential Antetokoumpo trade will be his contract. He is locked into the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons thanks to the three-year, $186 million extension he signed in 2023, but he'll then have a player option for the 2027-28 season, per Spotrac.
Antetokounmpo is expected to pursue an extension by the upcoming 2026 offseason — per ESPN, he will be eligible for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through the 2030-31 season on Oct. 1, 2026. However, he'd only be able to sign a contract of that size with a new team six months after a trade.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe calculus of an Antetokounmpo trade is expected to include whether or not a team is willing to give him a long-term extension.
Giannis injury update
Antetokounmpo has been out since Jan. 23 with a calf strain, his second injury of the 2025-26 season. As of Jan. 26, his return date remains "uncertain" after initially being given a 4-6 week timeline.
"There's really no timetable," Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said, per ESPN.
Antetokounmpo had his right calf wrapped in the first half of the Jan. 23 game against Denver, and he said postgame that he felt like he couldn't "explode" and struggled to walk. Previously, he missed time in December for a right calf strain.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMilwaukee has gone just 3-11 without Antetokounmpo playing this season, part of the reason that trade rumors have heated up.
MORE:Everything to know about Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury status
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