NBA Exec Compares Giannis Trade Rumors to 'General Hospital,' It's 'Longest Running Drama Ever'

The trade rumors surrounding Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo have been circulating for so long that one NBA executive compared them to a soap opera, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick.

"This has been like 'General Hospital' back in the days — the longest running drama ever," the executive told Amick.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported last week that the Bucks were starting to listen to offers for Antetokounmpo ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

According to Amick, the trade proposals the Bucks had received as of Monday are "believed to be so underwhelming" by rival executives and agents that they see it as "likely" Antetokounmpo won't get traded until the offseason.

Amick isn't the only one expecting to have to wait until June for an Antetokounmpo trade. A Western Conference executive recently told ESPN's Tim Bontemps that "everyone is preparing for this to happen in the summer."

Charania said Monday that the Bucks have "submitted counteroffers" to teams that have made "aggressive proposals" for Antetokounmpo.

The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks are "the most serious suitors in the mix so far," according to Charania.

The price point for Antetokounmpo is expected to be a "young player and/or a surplus of draft picks," Charania reported.

The Warriors could theoretically give the Bucks the biggest draft haul among those teams. Golden State has four tradable first-round picks in 2026, 2028, 2030 if it's pick No. 20 or below, and 2032, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

The Heat can offer two first-round picks in 2029 and 2031, per Marks, while the Timberwolves and Knicks currently don't have any first-rounders to package in a potential deal.

Whether the Wolves and Knicks are able to acquire some additional first-rounders to bolster their offers by Thursday could potentially play a role in whether the Bucks decide to wait until the offseason to see if they can get a larger draft haul for a post-Antetokounmpo rebuild.

Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined by a right calf injury that is expected to keep him out until at least late February, but he was averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds through 30 games when available.

Given that he will be entering next season on a potentially expiring deal, Antetokounmpo's future could continue being a topic of conversation around the NBA regardless of whether he is ultimately traded at the deadline.

The Bucks superstar, who could currently become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if he declines a player option on his contract, is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension next October.