New Giannis Trade Rumors Reveal How NBA Execs View Thunder's Chances of Landing Bucks Star

Rival NBA executives view the Oklahoma City Thunder as a long shot to trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, The Ringer's Zach Lowe reported Thursday.

Lowe reported around the 1:02:00 mark of Thursday's Zach Lowe Show that "no one around the league sees [the Thunder] as the Giannis team."

"Everybody, every GM, every scout I've talked to, would be pretty surprised if they veered in that direction," Lowe reported.

Antetokounmpo is set to play on a cap hit of just under $58.5 million next season. Taking on that deal would necessitate major roster shuffling for the Thunder, which is already one of just two NBA teams over the second apron this season, per Spotrac.

Lowe reported the Thunder are instead expected to reduce their payroll while keeping in place "most of the core" including Isaiah Hartenstein, who has a pending club option for next season.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti could be looking at moving picks rather than players in order to trade up in the 2026 NBA draft, in which he currently controls the No. 12, No. 17 and No. 37 selections.

ESPN's Anthony Slater and Tim MacMahon reported Tuesday the Thunder have already held "exploratory discussions with teams in the top 10 about what it could take to move up."

The Thunder aren't the only team to have recently been ruled out as favorites to acquire Antetokounmpo by NBA insiders.

ESPN's Shams Charania recently reported the New York Knicks are likely out of the running after making the NBA Finals without Antetokounmpo.

The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm described the Portland Trail Blazers as an "unlikely" landing spot due to Antetokounmpo's reported preference for playing in the East.