Giannis Antetokounmpo Landing Spots and Trade Packages After Doc Rivers' Milwaukee Bucks Exit

As if the Giannis Antetokounmpo saga couldn't get any more dramatic, we learned on Sunday, within hours of the NBA regular season ending, that the Milwaukee Bucks are moving on from head coach Doc Rivers.

ESPN's Shams Charania had the story:

A trade now almost seems inevitable. Once the offseason is in full swing, the Bucks should be fielding offers.

And below, we have some they should seriously consider accepting.

(Just About) the Knicks' Best Offer

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Milwaukee Bucks Get: Karl-Anthony Towns, first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2030 and 2032 and three second-round picks

New York Knicks Get: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Long before the 2026 trade deadline came and went without a Giannis deal, his desire to be a New York Knick was all over the internet. And for years now, Antetokounmpo has at least teased the possibility that he'd want to play elsewhere (while simultaneously insisting that he'll never explicitly ask to be traded).

But for at least the last two seasons, it was hard to take the Knicks' chances of getting him seriously because they'd spent such an absurd amount of trade capital in the Mikal Bridges deal.

And while New York would probably still be a long shot this summer, it can now offer enough pick swaps to at least make the framework look realistic, especially if Giannis informs other suitors that the Knicks are the only team he'd sign an extension with.

Losing Karl-Anthony Towns' shooting is no small thing. That's a big part of keeping the paint clear for Jalen Brunson's slashing, but there's no question this is a raw talent upgrade, even with the age and health questions that come with Giannis.

For the Bucks, this would likely just be the start of their dealing. KAT doesn't make a ton of sense on a rebuilding team, but he would still have value to some other team. Milwaukee flipping him in a subsequent trade would add to the return for Giannis.

And while the chances of New York having better picks than the Bucks in 2028 are slim, those ones farther out, when Giannis and Brunson will both be past their primes, could end up being very valuable.

Milwaukee might insist on this deal including whoever New York takes in 2026 and the Knicks' last two remaining future seconds, but the offer above would at least be worth considering.

Orlando Gives Up On the Paolo Banchero Experience

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Orlando Magic Get: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks Get: Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr., a first-round pick swap in 2031 and a 2032 first-round pick

We detailed a version of this one in a different context earlier this week, but it's worth revisiting in the wake of Friday's news.

The earlier idea included the Orlando Magic surrendering Anthony Black, but as the relationship between Giannis and Milwaukee seems to get more acrimonious with each passing week, the Bucks may be more desperate to make a move.

This trade still gives them a 23-year-old former All-Star, who, though flawed, is 6'10" and has averaged 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists over the last three seasons.

Paolo Banchero's scoring inefficiency is a little alarming, but players with his combination of size and playmaking ability are still rare. And there's plenty of time to iron out his jump shot.

He still has face-of-a-good-team potential.

For the Magic, this deal isn't without risk. Giannis is eight years older than Paolo. His injury history gets scarier every year. But last summer's Desmond Bane trade put this team firmly in a win-now window. And Antetokounmpo would immediately push them closer to title contention.

Miami Gets Back into the Superstar Business

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Miami Heat Get: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks Get: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jović, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, a 2030 first-round pick and a top-three protected 2032 first-round pick

It almost feels obligatory to have the Miami Heat in a slideshow about a star's potential landing spots. And in this case, there's plenty of reason for the team with the star to be interested.

Andrew Wiggins will be on an expiring and not-too-expensive contract in 2026-27 that Milwaukee could move for another asset in a subsequent trade. Nikola Jović, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakučionis would instantly add some intrigue to a young core that currently lacks it. And those picks in 2030 and 2032 would convey long after Giannis' prime.

Miami, of course, would have some spacing concerns to work through with Giannis and Bam Adebayo. The frontcourt might be a little overcrowded too (there's an argument to include Kel'el Ware in the deal instead of Jakučionis).

But a defense anchored by Bam and Giannis would have terrifying potential. And a two-man game with Antetokounmpo and Tyler Herro could be explosive.

Mostly, this is just about giving Erik Spoelstra another star to work with. When he had MVP candidates, he won titles. When he had a second-tier star, he made two unexpected trips to the NBA Finals. Giannis would give one of the best coaches in the league a chance to cook up something special again.

Chicago Expedites Its Rebuild

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Chicago Bulls Get: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks Get: Josh Giddey, Patrick Williams, Matas Buzelis and first-round picks in 2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032

Advocates for patient, careful rebuilds would likely caution the Chicago Bulls not to do this. There are no other stars in place for Giannis to play with after this deal. And there aren't a ton of assets to shop for one (though the Bulls could maybe convince Milwaukee to take this deal with one or two fewer firsts attached).

But Chicago is one of the league's biggest markets. This franchise has a storied history. And it's been far too long since it was a real part of the title conversation.

Having Giannis would make it easier for the Bulls to talk others into coming on board. He and one other high-level player could make Chicago a contender in the East.

And while there's still some untapped potential in Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, neither figures to peak anywhere near the level Giannis will play over the last couple years of his prime.

As for the Bucks, this deal gives them a lot more of the rebuild-friendly assets teams are typically after when trading a star like Giannis. And there's a fair bit of young talent too.