Giannis' Landing Spot Predicted by Players in Poll amid Lakers, Knicks, Heat, Bucks NBA Trade Rumors
After it was revealed that the Milwaukee Bucks plan to entertain trade offers for star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, players from around the NBA gave their take on where he will end up.
The Athletic's Sam Amick, Josh Robbins and Joe Vardon conducted an anonymous poll in which 151 players voted on Antetokounmpo's landing spot for the start of the 2026-27 season. The Bucks were predicted to retain the two-time MVP, receiving 45.7 percent of the votes. The Miami Heat (23.2 percent) and New York Knicks (16.6 percent) were voted as his most likely trade destinations.
The full voting breakdown is as follows:
- Milwaukee Bucks: 45.7 percent
- Miami Heat: 23.2 percent
- New York Knicks: 16.6 percent
- Los Angeles Lakers: 3.3 percent
- Golden State Warriors: 2.0 percent
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 2.0 percent
- Houston Rockets: 1.3 percent
- Toronto Raptors: 1.3 percent
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be pursuing some major splash moves this offseason. However, ESPN's Bobby Marks reported last week that the "realistic path" for the Lakers to add Antetokounmpo would be to wait until he becomes a free agent in 2027, as they don't have enough trade assets that would convince the Bucks to ship him to Hollywood this summer.
The Heat are also eyeing some big changes during the upcoming offseason, and they were known to be pursuing Antetokounmpo ahead of this year's trade deadline. The 31-year-old previously showed interest in playing for the Knicks, and he's also expressed his respect for Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry.
Any team that acquires Antetokounmpo would be among the favorites to compete for an NBA championship next season, so his next landing spot will undoubtedly be the top storyline of the summer.
