On Wednesday, Milwaukee Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, began having conversations with the team regarding his future, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Those talks could lead to Antetokounmpo potentially being traded to another NBA team at some point this season.
A resolution might (or might not) come to fruition in the coming weeks, which could lead to Antetokounmpo being available to the highest bidder prior to the NBA trade deadline.
The Bucks currently are 10-13 and have lost eight of their past 10 games. With Milwaukee not looking like a contender in the Eastern Conference, Antetokounmpo could be seeking to take his talents to a legitimate Finals threat. Whether he remains in Milwaukee or is traded elsewhere, he’ll be eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million maximum contract extension on Oct. 1, 2026.
What could throw a wrench in those plans is the fact that Antetokounmpo was injured in Wednesday’s 113-109 win against the Detroit Pistons. About three minutes into the opening quarter, Antetokounmpo fell to the court and was ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a right calf strain.
Following the game, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers announced that Antetokounmpo would undergo an MRI, but an Achilles injury has already been ruled out.
With the Greek Freak avoiding major injury, here are a few Giannis Antetokounmpo mock trades that could make sense for both the star big man and the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Mock Trades
Below are three Giannis mocks that would change the NBA landscape.
(All transactions are approved by the ESPN NBA Trade Machine.)
Trade No. 1: Antetokounmpo to the Thunder
Thunder Receives:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (F)
Bucks Receive:
- Jalen Williams (G)
- Isaiah Hartenstein (C)
- Aaron Wiggins (G)
- Thomas Sorber (C)
- 2026 first-round pick (Jazz; protected 1-8)
- 2026 first-round pick (Thunder)
The defending NBA champions certainly don’t need to do this by any stretch. This is a group that is currently 21-1 and has only had wing Jalen Williams for three games this season. They’re absolutely dominating teams after winning it all a season ago, so the thought of adding Antetokounmpo is downright scary.
Obviously, parting with a young star of Williams’ caliber — a player who averaged 23.6 ppg during the 2025 NBA Finals — would be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s a lot easier when an All-Star like Antetokounmpo is coming back.
The Thunder have nine first-round picks through the 2029 NBA Draft, so the franchise certainly has plenty of assets to surrender.
A core group of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Antetokounmpo would be too enticing to pass up.
Trade No. 2: Antetokounmpo to the Lakers
Lakers Receive:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (F)
Bucks Receive:
- Austin Reaves (G)
- Rui Hachimura (F)
- Dalton Knecht (F)
- Gabe Vincent (G)
- Maxi Kleber (F)
- 2026 first-round pick (Lakers)
F LeBron James likely doesn’t have many more NBA seasons left in the tank, so it would make a ton of sense for the Lakers to go all in with a move of this magnitude.
The Lakers are well set up for the future with the franchise being led by G Luka Doncic for the next decade. However, a dynamic duo of Doncic and Antetokounmpo could be quite appealing as the iconic franchise chases another NBA title.
The Lakers can survive if they part with the majority of these pieces, but Reaves is having a career year with 28.1 ppg, — second on the team behind only Doncic — and losing would hurt.
But Giannis would certainly make for nice replacement.
Trade No. 3: Antokounmpo to the Heat
Heat Receive:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (F)
Bucks Receive:
- Andrew Wiggins (F)
- Simone Fontecchio (F)
- Kel’el Ware (C)
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. (F)
- Kasparas Jakucionis (G)
- 2026 first-round pick (Heat)
- 2028 first-round pick (Heat)
This may be the most unlikely of the three trade scenarios due to the fact that the pieces aren’t as attractive as Williams or Reaves. Still, the Heat would likely at least do their due diligence if Antetokounmpo was available, as well they should.
Jaquez has already proved to be one of the more talented young wings in the NBA and has done so despite coming off the bench. It’s quite possible there’s still plenty of untapped potential for Jaquez if he were to land with the Bucks and become a full-time starter.
Ware is also a very appealing prospect who, at times, has been a double-double machine. Along with the young talent, the Bucks would obtain some veteran stability in the form of Wiggins, a serviceable player who could slot into either the shooting guard or small forward spot.
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