New Giannis Trade Rumors Reveal Surprise Landing Spot for Bucks Star in 2026 NBA Free Agency

A handful of possible landing spots for Giannis Antetokounmpo have been named over the past year or so, but a new one reportedly has emerged.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Thursday that the Cleveland Cavaliers are a potential trade destination and "contacted the Bucks about Giannis before the deadline."

The Bucks, according to Fischer, wanted a big return for Antetokounmpo when the Cavs reached out about him, asking for defensive star Evan Mobley and all of Cleveland's draft capital.

Fischer added that "no shortage of rival executives" he discussed the move with said they would make it.

The New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers and a few other teams have been linked to the former MVP over the last few months as well. In terms of the latest teams to enter the trade speculation, the Boston Celtics have been pegged as a possible suitor, most recently by ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

Last offseason, the Bucks and Antetokounmpo went back and forth all offseason before he eventually just stayed put. The team's co-owner, Jimmy Haslam, is hoping to avoid that scenario this time around.

"I just think before the draft is a natural time," Haslam told reporters this week. "Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, we've got to have a lot of assets. That's Jon's job to do. And if he's here, then you build the team differently."

Antetokounmpo has spent his entire career with the Bucks, racking up countless accolades and leading the team to a championship in 2021. The two sides seem at an impasse now, though, and all signs point toward an eventual split.

Even if Antetokounmpo wants out of Milwaukee, the Bucks should be able to get a large return for him, considering he was in MVP form this season before injuries struck late in the year.