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Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Get New Update Ahead of NBA Draft

With the NBA Draft order now set, the trade rumors should start to pick up across the league, and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo should be at the forefront.

The Bucks shopped Antetokounmpo at the deadline but ultimately decided to hold on to him, and now the summer could be the time he gets traded.

On Monday, a new update emerged on that front from ESPN's Shams Charania.

"The Milwaukee Bucks are open for business on trade calls and offers for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo entering the NBA draft combine and over six weeks away from the draft, league and team sources told ESPN," Charania wrote.

It's not a big surprise, and it comes after comments from Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam recently.

"Sometime over the next six or seven weeks we'll decide whether Giannis is going to sign a max contract and stay with us or he's going to play somewhere else," Haslam said.

The Bucks moved on from head coach Doc Rivers and hired Taylor Jenkins, who was an assistant at one point with Milwaukee before he became the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Still, the Bucks are at least going to take calls and see what they can get for Antetokounmpo before deciding what to do.

What Bucks Are Looking For in Giannis Trade

 Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after scoring against the Chicago Bulls.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after scoring against the Chicago Bulls. © David Banks-Imagn Images

Antetokounmpo is still an elite talent and one of the top players in the league when he is healthy, so the Bucks will be patient and search for the best offer for the superstar.

"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," Charania wrote on Monday.

Sources also told Charania that teams including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers expressed interest in Antetokounmpo previously, so those teams could all be on the phone soon with Milwaukee.

At this rate, a trade feels like a foregone conclusion, as long as the Bucks can get a package they would be happy with in exchange for the superstar.

The NBA Draft begins on June 23, so there should be some clarity on this front before it kicks off.

Related: Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam Takes Bigger Role With Bucks Amid Giannis Uncertainty

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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 12:57 PM.

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