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Ranking Top Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Packages
The Milwaukee Bucks are nearing a franchise-altering decision on Giannis Antetokounmpo. The time has come to trade the former NBA Most Valuable Player, with an extension in Milwaukee seemingly a lost cause.
With the draft imminent, NBA reporter Jake Fischer is reporting it's currently a two-team race for Giannis:
"A split faction of Milwaukee's decision makers, sources say, is deciding between Boston's package for Giannis Antetokounmpo built around Jaylen Brown — where the Bucks also hold particular Hugo Gonzales interest, as @TheSteinLine reported last night — plus limited draft capital, compared to Miami's offer of younger pieces — featuring Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez — and multiple first-round picks."
But anything can change in the NBA, as teams vie for leverage at the last minute. Until a deal is done, it's worth considering which NBA teams could make the best offer.
10. Golden State Warriors
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The Golden State Warriors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, 2026 1st-rounder, 2027 first-rounder, 2030 protected first-rounder, 2032 protected first-rounder
The Warriors can offer Wisconsin native Podziemski, who is extension eligible this summer; however, Butler is recovering from a knee injury and is expected to miss the start of the 2026-27 season. At 36, Butler isn't Milwaukee's ideal piece to build around, though his expiring $56.8 million contract could be used again in trade.
The Bucks' value lies in the draft compensation, which consists of distant first-round picks, with the hope that Steph Curry and Antetokounmpo are winding down by then. For Golden State to have a real shot, Antetokounmpo would probably need to push extremely hard to make it happen. That would include scaring off other suitors by promising to leave as a free agent in 2027.
At this early stage, there's no intel to suggest the Warriors are at the top of Antetokounmpo's list. Regardless, in all trade scenarios, the assumption is that Antetokounmpo verbally agrees to extend with the new team ahead of the transaction.
9. Atlanta Hawks
2 of 10
Atlanta Hawks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Andre Jackson Jr., $3 million trade exception
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Zaccharie Risacher, Corey Kispert, Buddy Hield, Nos. 8 and 23, 2029 first-round pick, $2.4 million trade exception
The Hawks can bring the Bucks the highest overall pick in the draft at No. 8, along with No. 23. That could be a priority for Milwaukee, which could make an Atlanta package more appealing than any other on the list—though a three-way with the Boston Celtics is higher ranked than Atlanta straight up.
The Bucks would also need to value players like Kuminga, Risacher, and Kispert, who are all talented but not necessarily franchise-changers. Risacher was the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, but outside that being an item on his resume, the young forward still has a lot to prove on the court.
8. Portland Trail Blazers
3 of 10
The Portland Trail Blazers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks receive: Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle (via sign-and-trade), 2028 first-rounder, 2029 1st rounder, 2030 reversal of prior first-round swap, 2031 protected first-rounder, $11.9 million trade exception (Antetokounmpo)
The Trail Blazers have a low-key viable offer to make for Antetokounmpo. Before their playoff run, many may have dismissed Portland as a viable suitor. Still, the team has taken significant steps forward, boasts two of Antetokounmpo's former teammates (Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard), and can return some of the Bucks' picks to Milwaukee from the Lillard trade.
Portland would try to keep one of Henderson or Sharpe out of the deal, doing something instead around Jerami Grant. Milwaukee must use whatever leverage it has for two young, talented backcourt additions, along with sizable draft compensation.
NBA buzz has Antetokounmpo preferring to play in the Eastern Conference, away from powerhouse teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, while also staying closer by time zone to family in Greece. Whether that's true or not remains to be seen, as Holiday's relationship with Antetokounmpo may be the wild card.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
4 of 10
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, $12.4 million trade exception, $4.2 million trade exception
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith Jr., 2031 first-rounder, 2032 protected first-round swap
A Lakers' offer relies heavily on Milwaukee's willingness to give Reaves a near-max contract via sign-and-trade. Reaves is one of the NBA's top free agents this summer, a talented ball-handling scorer. If the Bucks covet Reaves and if Antetokounmpo wants to play with Luka Dončić in Los Angeles, this is a feasible solution.
The Bucks get three forwards in the deal with Vanderbilt, LaRavia, and Knecht, plus a former first-round pick in Smith. Only Vanderbilt's salary extends beyond the 2026-27 season, though Milwaukee can opt Knecht into another year.
If the Bucks don't want to invest as heavily, a package can be assembled around Rui Hachimura via sign-and-trade, with the Lakers providing additional first-round draft compensation. L.A. has No. 25, two future firsts, and can add in a few first-round swaps as well.
6. Boston Celtics
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The Boston Celtics receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, $706,566 trade exception
The Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jaylen Brown, Max Shulga, 2026 first-rounder (No. 27), 2027 first-rounder
Brown is the best player the Bucks could receive in an Antetokounmpo trade, but the draft compensation is relatively sparse. This path represents Milwaukee's intent to compete as quickly as possible, rather than a measured retool.
Upcoming changes to the NBA's lottery system may make full rebuilds less attractive to teams—not that it was ever especially appealing to a franchise to bottom out over a sustained period. Regardless, the Bucks don't have their first-round pick in 2027.
The larger question would be how quickly Milwaukee can field a viable roster around Brown. He helped carry the Celtics through the regular season while Jayson Tatum was injured. Can he do the same with the Bucks?
5. Boston Celtics (via Atlanta Hawks)
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The Atlanta Hawks receive: Jaylen Brown (from Celtics), Andre Jackson Jr. (from Bucks), No. 27 (from Celtics), $3 million trade exception (Buddy Hield)
The Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jonathan Kuminga (from Hawks), Zaccharie Risacher (from Hawks), Corey Kispert (from Hawks), Buddy Hield (from Hawks), Max Shulga (from Celtics), No. 8 (from Hawks), No. 23 (from Hawks), 2027 unprotected first-rounder (from Celtics), 2029 unprotected first-rounder (from Hawks)
The Boston Celtics receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo (from Bucks)
Instead of dealing directly with the Celtics or Hawks, the Bucks agree to a multi-team swap that yields more than each franchise could offer individually. The Bucks shouldn't rebuild around a near-30, expensive forward like Brown, even if he's tremendously talented.
The Bucks also get the No. 8 pick from the Hawks, the best available selection this coming week, along with additional future compensation and young prospects from the Hawks like Risacher, Kuminga, and Kispert.
If there's a viable compromise, this one may be the best. Some of the "home run" options may only be available in theory. If teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder are reluctant to make huge moves, this could be the one to get it done.
4. Orlando Magic
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The Orlando Magic receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Gary Trent Jr., Jericho Sims, Andre Jackson Jr.
The Milwaukee Bucks receive: Franz Wagner, Tristan da Silva, Jase Richardson, Goga Bitadze, Jonathan Isaac, Noah Penda, 2033 first-round pick
The Magic don't have significant draft compensation to offer the Bucks, but Orlando can send very solid depth and a borderline All-Star in Wagner. Recent draft picks da Silva, Richardson, and Penda round out a strong return.
If bigger-name players like Evan Mobley or Jalen Williams prove unavailable to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo, Wagner may be the best choice. He's younger than Austin Reaves and Jaylen Brown, and under contract for several years.
This isn't the right path if Milwaukee prioritizes picks, but Orlando can make a case, provided the typically spendthrift team is willing to pay luxury taxes.
3. Miami Heat
8 of 10
The Miami Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, $4.7 million trade exception
The Milwaukee Bucks receive: Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Nikola Jović, 2026 first-rounder, 2030 first-rounder, 2032 protected first-rounder, 2033 second-rounder, $4.6 million trade exception
Note: Since the initial proposal above, multiple sources believe Miami's package also includes Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakučionis, rather than Jović. This is factored into the Heat's No. 3 ranking.
Miami represents the confluence of Milwaukee's best return and Antetokounmpo's perceived wishes. Some in NBA circles believe Antetokounmpo values playing with Bam Adebayo, with whom he shares an agent (Alex Saratsis).
Herro, a recent All-Star from Wisconsin, verbally agrees to extend with the Bucks before the trade. Ware has emerged as one of the brighter center prospects in the league. Miami has enough draft compensation to get a deal across the finish line.
The question for Milwaukee will be how the franchise values players, a subjective matter. Do they prefer Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe over Herro and Ware? Would a more established All-Star and former NBA Finals MVP like Jaylen Brown move the needle for the Bucks? Is draft compensation the greatest priority?
The answer should be a path towards sustained success that doesn't shy away from taking a step back for the good of the team. Whether or not the Bucks agree remains to be seen.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Oklahoma City Thunder)
9 of 10
Thunder receive:
- Evan Mobley (from Cavaliers)
- 2026 No. 29 (from Cavaliers)
- $28.5 million trade exception (Isaiah Hartenstein)
- $11.3 million trade exception (Isaiah Joe)
Cavaliers receive:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (from Bucks)
- 2026 No. 43 (from Nets)
Bucks receive:
- Jalen Williams (from Thunder)
- Isaiah Joe (from Thunder)
- Day'Ron Sharpe (from Nets)
- 2026 No. 17 (from Thunder)
Nets receive:
- Isaiah Hartenstein (from Thunder)
- Aaron Wiggins (from Thunder)
- Sam Merrill (from Cavaliers)
The more complicated of versions that lands Antetokounmpo with the Cavaliers involves a four-team trade including the Thunder and Nets. Oklahoma City, who fell short of the NBA Finals, is facing serious luxury tax penalties to retain the second-best roster in the Western Conference. Less expensive players like Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain could make Williams expendable.
The Bucks land a 2024-25 All-Star/All-NBA Third Team guard coming off an injury-laden season. The expectation is he returns to form after hamstring injuries, giving Milwaukee a young star to build around, along with the No. 17 pick and depth with Joe and Sharpe.
Brooklyn adds a high-level forward/center and shooting depth, while the Thunder lands one of the league's top defensive young bigs in Mobley.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (Direct)
10 of 10
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Evan Mobley, Sam Merrill, 2026 No. 29
The Cavaliers could be Antetokounmpo's best opportunity to join a contending team currently headed to the Eastern Conference Finals. Assuming Donovan Mitchell and James Harden commit long-term, Antetokounmpo joins true star power, while avoiding the tougher Western Conference with obstacles like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
For Milwaukee, Mobley is the best young attainable player. He can play alongside center Myles Turner, or make him expendable. Mobley is a former Defensive Player of the Year winner who can grow into a larger offensive role as the Bucks retool.
Merrill is a strong rotation player; the No. 29 pick adds a young player to develop. What's missing from a Cleveland offer is a wealth of future draft picks, but adding a talent like Mobley is a rare opportunity.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus and Bluesky.
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