Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumor tracker: Latest news on Knicks, Warriors and other potential destinations for Bucks star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
After months of speculation and rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential move, the Milwaukee Bucks are finally ready to move forward with those talks.
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With the NBA trade deadline approaching, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on January 28 that Antetokounmpo is “ready for a new home” and the Milwaukee Bucks are “starting to listen” to offers from other teams for their star big man.
The Bucks have been struggling with Giannis Antetokounmpo out for the season due to injury, so the possibility of a team-changing trade appears to be increasing. Will Antetokounmpo find a home in Wisconsin for the first time in his star-studded career?
Here are the latest trade rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo.
More: A look at Warriors options after Jimmy Butler injury
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Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Tracking
Antetokounmpo interested in Lakers as future destination
Howard Baker reports that the Lakers are a team to watch from Antetokounmpo’s perspective. Baker claims there are difficulties in trading assets, but they have enough draft capital.
Eastern Conference Teams Compete for Giannis Antetokounmpo
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst believe the eight teams in the Eastern Conference have the assets to make such a trade.
These teams include: Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.
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Nets may make an offer to Antetokounmpo
Brian Lewis noted that while the Nets’ main focus this season may not be winning games, they have been keeping an eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their ongoing rebuild shouldn’t stop them from considering a bid for the Bucks’ superstar.
Bucks “want the moon”
One of Fisher’s general managers told him Milwaukee is “praying to the moon” for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return.
“All your young players and all your draft picks,” Fisher said he was told Thursday morning.
Warriors have reached out to Bucks, ‘expressed firm interest’
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According to Slater, the Warriors have reached out to Milwaukee about Antetokounmpo and “expressed their firm interest” and “willingness to make a substantial offer.”
It’s “unclear” whether Antetokounmpo would welcome a trade from the Warriors. League executives told Slater they believe the quicker the Bucks move on a trade, the better it will be for Golden State. The Warriors could offer up to four first-rounders and also have young talent in Jonathan Kuminga and potential salary matching in Jimmy Butler.
Heat, Knicks, Warriors, Timberwolves listed as top suitors
Additionally, Amick identified the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves as “primary suitors” in Thursday’s report, clarifying that it remains “a tricky area.”
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Giannis previously said he would “never ask for a trade” in January
Over the past year, talk about whether Antetokounmpo asked for a trade has remained vague. In early January, before the latest reports suggested the Bucks star was preparing to leave, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that Antetokounmpo said he would “never ask to leave Milwaukee” and that it was not in his “nature.”
Now, Amick writes, given the Bucks’ recent losses and bleak future, it’s easy to see why Antetokounmpo would change his mind. This is the “strongest indication yet” that the Bucks want to know about Antetokounmpo’s market, according to Amick, who confirmed the Bucks are in contact with interested teams.
Warriors most likely to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo
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ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that the Golden State Warriors may be in the best position to trade Antetokounmpo because they need a star and have control of all future draft assets. “If Golden State makes a strong offer, everyone else is going to have to fight to beat it,” Windhorst said.
Bucks’ loss to Thunder is ‘point of no return’ for Antetokounmpo
According to Fisher, the Bucks’ loss to the Thunder last week and Antetokounmpo’s “frustration” after the game were seen as “no turning back.” According to Fisher, the feeling given to Antetokounmpo by Bucks teammates and other figures was “ominous.”
Knicks will be one of the teams to make an ‘aggressive’ offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo
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New York has emerged as Antetokounmpo’s top destination, reportedly showing interest last summer, but New York’s Ian Begley reports that the Knicks will now be “one of the teams making an aggressive offer to the Bucks,” adding that the Heat will also be involved.
Antetokounmpo ‘ready to move to new home’, Bucks willing to listen to offers
Rumors surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee have been on and off since the 2025 offseason. At some point, he made it clear he wanted to stay with the Bucks. According to Charania, Antetokounmpo has shown interest in a trade, with the Knicks being the Bucks star’s preferred destination ahead of the 2025-26 season.
With the trade deadline approaching, Charania reported Wednesday that Antetokounmpo is “ready for a new home” and the Bucks are “starting to listen to offers” from other teams. Additionally, other teams “feel the Bucks are more open than ever to offers for Antetokounmpo between now and the deadline.”
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Charania also reported that the Bucks are in no “rush” to make a move and could still reconsider a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. Milwaukee is believed to be pursuing “blue-chip young talent and/or surplus draft picks.”
According to Charania, Antetokounmpo has been informing the Bucks “for months” that he believes the time has come to part ways.
More:What are the worst contracts in the NBA?
Giannis contract details
When it comes to a potential Antetokounmpo trade, his contract will be part of the navigation. He’s locked in through the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons thanks to the three-year, $186 million extension he signed in 2023, but will have a player option for 2027-28, according to Spotrac.
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Antetokounmpo is expected to seek a contract extension during the upcoming 2026 offseason – he will be eligible for a four-year, $275 million max extension through the 2030-31 season on October 1, 2026, per ESPN. However, he can only sign a contract of the same size with his new team six months after the trade.
Considerations for Antetokounmpo’s trade are expected to include whether the team is willing to give him a long-term contract extension.
Giannis injury update
Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since Jan. 23 with a calf strain, his second injury of the 2025-26 season. As of January 26, his return date remains “uncertain,” with a timetable initially given of 4-6 weeks.
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“There really is no timetable,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said, according to ESPN.
Antetokounmpo injured his right calf against the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 23 and said after the game that he felt like he couldn’t “explode” and had trouble walking. Previously, he missed the game in December due to a strained right calf.
Milwaukee is just 3-11 this season without Giannis Antetokounmpo, which is part of the reason trade rumors are heating up.
More:Everything you need to know about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury status
