The Milwaukee Bucks have publicly confirmed they are open to trade offers for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo before the 2026 NBA draft, scheduled for June 23-24, 2026. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said the team will decide within six to seven weeks whether Giannis re-signs on a max contract or moves elsewhere. "(GM) Jon (Horst), (coach) Taylor, Wes Edens and I will all make that call, fully aware of its gravity," Haslam said [1].
Antetokounmpo, 31, has spent 13 seasons with Milwaukee, playing 895 games and averaging 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. He led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years in 2021 [1, 2]. However, the 2025-26 season was marred by injuries. Giannis appeared in just 36 games, averaging 27.6 points per game, before being sidelined by groin, calf, and knee issues and missing the final months after last playing on March 15, 2026 [1, 3, 2, 4].
The Bucks finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 32-50 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years [5, 6, 3, 4]. Giannis publicly expressed frustration in April 2026 about being held out of games despite feeling healthy. "I am ready to play, but the team won't let me. For a competitor like me, being told not to play feels like a slap," he said, expressing uncertainty about his relationship with the club [1, 4].
Controlling owner Wes Edens stated bluntly, "One of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he'll be traded" [7]. The Bucks hold the 10th overall pick in this year's draft plus future first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 that could be assets in a trade [1, 7, 4]. Haslam said the timing before the draft is natural because if Giannis moves, the team must gather assets quickly: "If he’s here, then you build the team differently" [4].
The trade market for Giannis reportedly includes teams such as the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Houston Rockets [5, 8, 9]. However, Giannis prefers an Eastern Conference destination, making trades with some Western teams like the Lakers and Warriors less likely [10, 9]. Offers are expected to feature a young proven star, multiple first-round picks, or both [1, 5, 6, 3, 4].
Antetokounmpo has a player option worth $58.5 million for the 2026-27 season and will be eligible for a four-year, $275 million max extension starting October 1, 2026. If traded, he must wait six months to sign a new extension with another team [1, 7, 8].
New head coach Taylor Jenkins signed a six-year contract beginning in the 2026-27 season, indicating the team’s commitment to a long-term rebuild if Giannis departs [1, 6, 2]. The Bucks must decide at the 2026 NBA draft whether to re-sign or trade their franchise star.
