5 NBA Teams Named 'Top' Trade Destinations For Giannis Antetokounmpo
After months of speculation, the Milwaukee Bucks appear to finally be ready to move on from MVP forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo, one of the NBA's best players, has long been rumored to be a trade candidate. The Bucks won a championship back in 2021, however, in the years that have followed, Milwaukee has been unable to build back up its championship-level roster.
Now, as we head into the NBA's offseason - the Draft Lottery was just held on Sunday - Milwaukee has made it clear that it is willing to trade Giannis. In fact, the Bucks are telling teams to call them with their best offers. A trade could be imminent this offseason.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news on Monday.
"There is expected to be a robust market for Antetokounmpo, and ownership and front-office officials expect to maintain their trade deadline asking price of a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks, sources said," he reported.
"The Bucks engaged in Antetokounmpo trade talks before the February deadline as the franchise cornerstone believed for a period of months that the time had come to part ways. They now will again after co-owner Jimmy Haslam stated a resolution is coming before the draft on June 23 and 24. Nothing has changed in Antetokounmpo's stance that the time has come for both sides to move on, sources said."
5 NBA teams named 'top' contenders
Five NBA teams have been named the top trade destinations for Giannis. These five teams all tried to trade for him earlier this season:
- Timberwolves
- Cavs
- Celtics
- Knicks
- Lakers
The question, of course, is where does Giannis want to go?
"The conversation will be simple: Where does [Giannis] want to be moved and where will he sign long term?" one source with direct involvement in the situation told ESPN
Giannis, 31, is coming off a great year. The market for his services will be robust.
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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 11:58 AM.