Could Giannis Antetokounmpo's days as a Milwaukee Buck be numbered?
The former MVP -- and early candidate for the award once again in 2025-26 -- has been the subject of trade rumors in the past. However, they may never have grown as loud as Wednesday, when ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent have "started conversations" with the Bucks about his future, including "whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere."
Milwaukee, off to a 9-13 start this season but struggling during its recent stint without Antetokounmpo, has repeatedly found ways to sell the superstar on its future outlook, including throughout the past offseason. But without much high-level talent around Antetokounmpo, now could be the time for the Bucks to finally ship the 2021 Finals MVP elsewhere.
Which teams could be a fit for Antetokounmpo and his two-way dominance? Here's a look at five potential trade destinations, based on team needs and assets.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo trade destinations
5. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are beginning to see the early signs of a post-Trae Young era. Jalen Johnson has emerged as a potential franchise player, averaging 23.2 points per game this season, while Atlanta has found renewed defensive success behind Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and more while Young has been off the floor due to an injury. Why not lean into the defensive mentality with a huge swing?
Convincing the Bucks to trade Antetokounmpo within the Eastern Conference would be a challenge, but if the Hawks are willing to dangle Trae Young, perhaps Milwaukee views the dynamic offensive guard as a strong starting point in conversations. The Hawks have repeatedly come up short with Young leading the charge, but he still is one of the best offensive creators in the league -- and the kind of player Milwaukee could build around for 2026-27.
Atlanta also has three outright first-rounders available to trade, per Real GM. In terms of a trade package, the Bucks could do a lot worse than Young and multiple first-rounders.
The Hawks wouldn't quite be immediate title contenders with Antetokounmpo, still with some smaller holes in their roster (especially without Young), but he would bring a much-needed superstar presence on both ends of the floor. Paired with Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher and plenty of wing-stoppers, Atlanta could structure one of the best defensive units in basketball.
4. New York Knicks
According to ESPN, when Antetokounmpo was open to external options over the past offseason, he was open to playing for one team outside of Milwaukee: the Knicks. While that was viewed as an "exclusive negotiating window for the Knicks over a multiweek period," meaning the same interest may not remain now, it's still hard not to connect a big-name star to New York.
The Knicks have picked things up lately after a slow start, still among the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference in 2025-26. Even without Antetokounmpo, they could make a title run if things come together. But when have the Knicks been shy about wanting another star?
An Antetokounmpo-Jalen Brunson pairing could be among the best offensive duos in the NBA, while the Knicks already have title-level depth and enough shooters to surround a dominant paint player like Antetokounmpo.
However, one snag in a potential Antetokounmpo-Knicks trade is the fact that the Knicks have no outright first-round picks to trade, per Real GM, but four first-round swaps. Milwaukee is going to seek a king's ransom for Antetokounmpo, an all-time talent still in his prime. Unless the Knicks become willing to part with multiple players among Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, it could be hard to convince the Bucks to make a deal.
Like Trae Young with the Hawks, Towns could be a strong enough talent to help match salary and give Milwaukee an All-Star in return. But even then, would the Bucks want to bring in another big man, or would the Knicks want to part ways with Towns after acquiring him just over a year ago?
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
A "Giannis Anetokounmpo to the Thunder" news break might shatter social media even more than the Luka Doncic-Lakers trade did in February. Every other Western Conference team would panic, Oklahoma City's odds to win another title would skyrocket even more, and fans may even call for Adam Silver to deny the trade.
A more clear view of this chaotic possibility, however, suggests that the Thunder could add a superstar via trade whenever they may desire. Oklahoma City is armed with four outright first-rounders, three first-round swaps and six protected first-round picks, per Real GM. Sam Presti has been collecting draft picks like nobody's business for years -- maybe it's time to cash them in for a Hall of Fame-level talent who can somehow make the Thunder a bit better.
Oklahoma City could part ways with draft picks (including the Clippers' 2026 first-rounder, which is skyrocketing in value), one of Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren, and more young talent, and give the Bucks the best possible trade package while still being the best team in the NBA. Financially, Antetokounmpo could replace Williams or Holmgren's extensions on the books, and on the court, he'd fit right in with the two-way dominance OKC has grown accustomed to.
Of course, the Thunder are currently on pace to contest the single-season win record this season. They do not need Antetokounmpo. But no arguably no team could realistically make a better offer for the Bucks star, especially in the Western Conference, while maintaining their status as a title contender.
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2. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs may not be able to create the glamorous trade package the Thunder can, but they could be viewed as a more realistic Antetokounmpo destination. Not only do the Spurs have some strong draft capital in their control, but they also have somewhat of a logjam of young guards the Bucks could be interested in.
Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are both emerging young players behind De'Aaron Fox on the guard depth chart, and it would appear that only one has a route to starting as a shooting guard with Fox locked into the lead point guard role. Castle, or Harper, and first-round picks would make for an enticing start to a trade package for Milwaukee entering a rebuild.
For the Spurs, adding Antetokoumpo would be the modern-day version of its old David Robinson-Tim Duncan pairing. There would be no better frontcourt in the NBA, with San Antonio able to punish the other 29 teams with unreal length from Victor Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo. Considering Wembanyama can shoot effectively from deep, it wouldn't be a significantly clunky offensive fit either.
In one trade, the Spurs could cement their status as a true championship contender, while building a video-game-type front court duo. The things Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo could do on a basketball court together are limitless.
1. Miami Heat
Outside of the Knicks, no Eastern Conference team gets connected to stars in the NBA quite like the Miami Heat. And since Jimmy Butler left town, the Heat haven't had a go-to star, even with a balanced unit so far in 2025-26.
Tyler Herro could be more expendable for Miami with Norman Powell's continued offensive success, while Kel'el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. Are two more up-and-coming players that Milwaukee could have eyes on. Between those three players, and two available first-round picks, the Heat could build a competitive trade package for Antetokounmpo.
As one few teams to consistently eye playoff contention on an annual basis, it'd also make sense for Miami to make a push for Antetokounmpo. A Powell-Antetokounmpo-Bam Adebayo core could be enough to make a deep playoff run this season, and the Heat could then hone-in on building around their new star next offseason.
The Heat have proven time and time again that they're willing to spend for stars and keep them happy as long as possible. Antetokounmpo would make for a perfect next star in South Beach, providing Erik Spoelstra with a do-it-all weapon to deploy with Adebayo, shooters and his elite coaching.