NBA Trade Rumors: Giannis, Joel Embiid, Damian Lillard Monitored by Rival Teams

The next blockbuster move is seemingly always right around the corner in the NBA, and teams will reportedly be ready should the opportunity arise.

"No one expects Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid to ask out, even if things go badly again this spring, but rivals are keeping an eye on both, anyway (and on [Damian] Lillard)," Howard Beck of The Ringer reported.

Lillard is under contract with the Milwaukee Bucks until after his player option in 2026-27, while Antetokounmpo's player option isn't until 2027-28. Embiid has a player option with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2026-27.

Given those contracts, such a scenario seems extremely unlikely.

Yet Beck explained there is plenty of championship pressure for both franchises. Philadelphia has never made it past the second round of the playoffs with Embiid on the roster and just traded James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers at the start of this season.

Pairing Ben Simmons, Harden and others with Embiid hasn't worked, and there has likely been some regret at times that the team wasn't able to bring Jimmy Butler back after trading for him during the 2018-19 season.

Perhaps another early playoff exit this season with Tyrese Maxey as the No. 2 option will force Embiid to reconsider what he wants after turning 30 years old in March.

As for the Bucks, they aren't that far removed from when Antetokounmpo led them to a victory in the 2021 NBA Finals.

However, there is some urgency this season after trading for Lillard and firing head coach Adrian Griffin after a 30-13 start. Doc Rivers is a veteran coach with a championship on his resume, but he is also known for losing leads in the playoffs.

Lillard is still chasing the first championship of his career, and Antetokounmpo has never played for another NBA market outside of Milwaukee. It seems like a long shot, but maybe an unexpected playoff exit could lead to some reconsidering for the Bucks stars.