Giannis, Myles Garrett Trades Addressed By Bucks, Browns' Jimmy Haslam in Video Amid Offseason

Milwaukee Bucks co-owner and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam says he has "cautious optimism" about the future of both franchises after their respective offseason trades of superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Garrett.

"It's all about what you get," Haslam told Cleveland's 92.3 The Fan on Friday. "Giannis, generational player, won a championship, but we felt the need to get younger. He was the best asset we had. We had mortgaged our future going forward, and I think we got four really good players, and we got two [first-round] draft picks, a couple of swaps and a second.

"Times will tell. We've got to use those picks wisely, just like we have to do with the Myles trade. But cautious optimism, although you've got to be realistic. Rebuilding is no fun, and the NBA— I think it's actually harder to rebuild in the NBA than the NFL, but we'll see."

The Bucks traded Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat on June 22 in exchange for a package including Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakučionis.

Milwaukee also received three first-round picks, one of which the franchise used to select former Tennessee forward Nate Ament.

Haslam had previously told reporters he wanted Antetokounmpo to decide whether he would sign an extension in Milwaukee or leave to join another team before the NBA draft kicked off June 23.

The trade ultimately took place three weeks after the Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a package headlined by linebacker Jared Verse.

The Browns also received a first-round pick alongside a second-rounder and third-round selection, which ESPN's Adam Schefter reported required Garrett to waive his no-trade clause.

Haslam said Friday the trade was Browns general manager Andrew Berry's decision but that the deal had his blessing.

"I think we got a really good player back... a really good player who's 25 years old, and still on his rookie contract. So that's the biggest reason," Haslam said. "And then we picked up a one, a two and a three.

Haslam pointed when discussing the trade to the trio of drafts the organization spent without a first-rounder after trading their 2022, 2023 and 2024 first-rounders to the Houston Texans in exchange for quarterback Deshaun Watson.

"The value of those picks, as we've proved the last two years, are tremendous," Haslam said. "Myles is an unbelievable player... it was not an easy decision, but we've made it, and we're moving on. And excited about Jared, and excited about those three draft picks."

Haslam will hope for now to see players like Herro and Verse make an immediate difference as their respective teams gear up to rebuild into postseason contenders.