The best realistic package that Heat and other Antetokounmpo suitors can offer
.JPG "Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) guards Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of their matchup at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, April 5, 2025.")
The Heat has plenty of formidable competition in its bid for disgruntled superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is reportedly likely to be traded by Milwaukee either before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline or this summer.
What could each of those suitors offer?
Here’s a look at the best potential realistic (realistic being the key word) and cap-compliant (or very close to cap-compliant) trade offers that logical suitors could make:
HEAT
Kel’el Ware, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakuconis, Terry Rozier, two first-round picks in 2030 and 2032, and first-round pick swaps in 2026, 2029 and 2031 to acquire Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: It’s an attractive mix of young talent (Ware, Herro, Jaquez and Jakucionis), expiring salary (Rozier) and draft capital. Of course, the Heat could make its offer even better by trying to flip Andrew Wiggins or Norman Powell for an additional first-round selection ahead of Thursday’s deadline that would unlock a third first-round pick to offer the Bucks.
Why the Bucks wouldn’t accept this trade package: This could come down to how the Bucks view Ware, who would be considered by most to be the young prospect in this package who has the most upside as a 21-year-old 7-footer who can shoot threes and block shots. Other teams can offer more first-round picks than the Heat, which rarely ever picks in the lottery because it’s always looking to be as competitive as possible.
WARRIORS
Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga and four unprotected first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032) and three pick swaps for Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma.
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: Among the teams identified by ESPN as the four strongest suitors (New York, Minnesota, Miami and Golden State), the Warriors have the most tradeable first-round picks. The fact Butler is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL helps the Bucks, because it would allow them to tank and increase their chances of landing a higher draft pick (though New Orleans has the right to flip first-round picks with Milwaukee in June).
Also, the Bucks could send Butler’s expiring contract to a contender next January in exchange for an asset. In a year, Butler could be appealing to other teams who feel they are one player away but don’t want to owe Butler any money beyond next season.
Why the Bucks wouldn’t accept this trade package: Milwaukee would be getting back only one good young player (Kuminga), and his inconsistent shooting has made him somewhat polarizing. Also, the 2026 and 2028 picks could end up very late in the first round.
KNICKS
OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and first-round pick swaps in 2030 and 2032 to acquire Antetokounmpo. (There’s also a package that could be built around Karl-Anthony Towns, but that would be challenging because he earns a bit less than Antetokounmpo and the Knicks cannot take back more money than they send out.)
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: Other than the fact that Antetokounmpo reportedly is interested in joining the Knicks, it’s difficult to find a reason the Bucks would accept this since the Knicks don’t have any first-round picks it can include in a trade. The Knicks would need to get creative and find a way to acquire tradeable first-round picks or get more teams involved in the deal to funnel first-round selections to the Bucks to catch Milwaukee’s attention ahead of the trade deadline.
Why the Bucks wouldn’t accept this trade package: There are no first-round picks in the offer. Considering the Knicks traded four unprotected first-round picks and one protected first-round pick to land Mikal Bridges during the 2024 offseason, the Bucks aren’t going to deal Antetokounmpo to the Knicks for a package without a first-round selection in it.
TIMBERWOLVES
Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Rob Dillingham and Joan Beringer to acquire Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: This would accelerate the Bucks’ rebuild, with win-now talent in Randle, McDaniels while also adding two intriguing young prospects in Dillingham (a 21-year-old second-year player) and Beringer (19-year-old rookie).
But like the Knicks, the Timberwolves would need to get creative in finding a way to obtain first-round picks to send to the Bucks in a deal. The Timberwolves have no first-round selections available to trade.
Why the Bucks wouldn’t accept this trade package: The Timberwolves don’t have any tradeable first-round picks, which will likely be a nonstarter for the Bucks in negotiations.
NETS
Michael Porter Jr, Haywood Highsmith, Ben Saraf and four first-round picks in 2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032.
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: The draft capital that the Nets can offer would be appealing to any team. This package also includes a talented offensive player in Porter Jr., who could help the Bucks now, and a prospect with upside in Saraf, 19. The expiring $5.6 million salary of Highsmith doesn’t hurt, either.
Why the Bucks wouldn’t accept this trade package: One reason could be that Antetokounmpo doesn’t want to be part of a rebuilding team. The Nets could be deterred if Antetokounmpo conveys that he wouldn’t sign an extension in Brooklyn. Also, Saraf might not be an attractive enough prospect for the Nets in this type of deal.
RAPTORS
Scottie Barnes, Ja’Kobe Walter, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji and as many as four tradeable firsts.
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: Toronto and Detroit are the only teams in the East that can offer both an established young potential star in Barnes (who was a 2024 All-Star), combined with three or more first-rounders.
Why the Bucks would not accept this trade package: If offered, this would be hard to beat. The Raptors likely would try to get the Bucks to accept some combination of RJ Barrett and others, though a Barrett-centric package would be more difficult from a cap standpoint and would seemingly be less appealing to Milwaukee.
ROCKETS
Amen Thompson, Fred Van Vleet, Reed Sheppard, Clint Capela and some combination of a 2027 first-rounder (Houston can swap picks with Brooklyn) and/or a 2027 first-rounder from Phoenix and a 2029 first-rounder.
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: Thompson, who’s averaging 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds, would be a young high-lottery building block for a Bucks rebuild. Sheppard (39.5% on threes) would give them shooting and Van Vleet would provide a skilled, savvy point guard to help develop a young team or flip in the offseason, if he exercises his $25 million player option. And the picks would have great value.
Why the Bucks wouldn’t accept this trade package: It’s quite dubious if Houston would even offer this; ESPN’s Tim McMahon reported the Rockets are not pursuing Antetokounmpo.
PISTONS
Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, Caris LaVert, Jaden Ivey and some of as many as four tradeable first-round picks for Antetokounmpo and Cole Anthony.
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: Duren (17.9 points, 10.6 rebounds) would give them an emerging young star at center. This would be a no-brainer if the Pistons were willing to give up multiple picks and Duren, which seems unlikely, even though a Cade Cunningham/Antetokounmpo-led team would make Detroit the favorite in the East.
Why the Bucks wouldn’t accept this trade package: It would seem unlikely to be offered. If the Pistons pursued a deal, they likely would try to hold on to Duren and offer some combination of lottery picks Ivey, Ron Holland, Ausar Thompson, salary cap ballast such as Harris and picks.
HAWKS
Zaccharie Risacher, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, Hawks first-rounders in 2029 and 2031 and a draft jewel (the more favorable 2026 first-rounder between New Orleans and Milwaukee) in exchange for Antetokounmpo and Anthony.
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: Getting a high lottery pick in June, a draft that’s expected to be loaded with high-end talent, would be very tempting.
Why the Bucks wouldn’t accept this trade package: Risacher has been a disappointment, and Porzingis and Kennard would merely be expiring contracts. NBA reporter Marc Stein said the Hawks are not pursuing an Antetokounmpo trade.
SPURS
Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Harrison Barnes, Kelly Olynyk and an unprotected 2027 Hawks first-round pick.
Why the Bucks would accept this trade package: Landing the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft (Harper), the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year (Castle) and a potential lottery pick (via Atlanta) in 15 months would be very tempting.
Why the Bucks wouldn’t accept this trade package: There’s no indication the Spurs would offer this. ESPN reported San Antonio is not pursuing Antetokounmpo.
This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 1:56 PM.
