Right here we’re again within the commerce dialog for one more NBA famous person. Giannis Antetokounmpo is extensively thought-about one of the vital dominant gamers in NBA historical past. At 6’11”, he’s technically thought-about a giant man—one who has handles, supplies rim safety, and delivers a number of the most elite protection this league has seen.
An elite dunker, Antetokounmpo is likely one of the most athletic, highly effective finishers within the NBA. They don’t name him the “Greek Freak” for nothing!
Now in his thirteenth NBA season, Antetokounmpo has lengthy been a franchise cornerstone for the Milwaukee Bucks. After main them to their first championship in practically 50 years (2021), Antetokounmpo and firm have failed to succeed in the NBA Finals since. Bounced by the Indiana Pacers within the playoffs in two consecutive seasons, the Bucks enter a pivotal time of their future.
The Damian Lillard experiment failed miserably after accidents plagued the guard, and Milwaukee didn’t convey one other championship to Cream Metropolis. Following the departure of Lillard and Brook Lopez (Clippers), Giannis entered the 2025-2026 season with a number of unknowns. Whereas there have been conflicting reviews about whether or not he’s soft-launched a commerce request, the subject is scorching and is buzzing!
“Giannis HAS NOT gone up and stated, ‘I wish to be traded.’”
Brian Windhorst on @RichEisenShow | #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/txdKggkmpj
— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) December 4, 2025
Will the Bucks Commerce Giannis?
Holding a 10-13 report, Antetokounmpo has been tasked with main a youthful core that lacks a real No. 2 star. Even with the addition of Myles Turner (Pacers), his manufacturing has been underwhelming. At greatest, it’s a group that’s combating to make the playoffs.
It’s no secret that commerce rumors have swirled round Antetokounmpo, and NBA insider Brian Windhorst confirmed Shams Charania’s preliminary report that Giannis expressed curiosity in becoming a member of the New York Knicks. A subject that died down over the summer season has now resurfaced. Amid turbulent occasions, the franchise should determine the destiny of the group as Antetokounmpo is within the midst of his prime.
Set to grow to be a free agent in 2027, Giannis signed a three-year, $175.37 million contract extension that features a participant possibility for the 2027-2028 season. Whereas trades are potential, groups should have the draft capital and monetary flexibility to soak up his contract.
Let’s break down the subsequent group betting odds for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Will he stay with the Bucks, or will one other group land him in a blockbuster commerce? Sidelined for 2-4 weeks with a proper calf pressure from a non-contact harm, let’s see how this performs out. Who’s the darkish horse to land Giannis if the Bucks full-send a commerce proposal?
Giannis Antetokounmpo Subsequent Workforce Odds (Through DraftKings Sportsbook)
Milwaukee Bucks: +150
New York Knicks: +260
San Antonio Spurs: +600
Miami Warmth: +700
Toronto Raptors: +1100
Houston Rockets: +1300
LA Lakers: +1600
Golden State Warriors: +1700
Detroit Pistons: +2000
Atlanta Hawks: +2000
DraftKings Sportsbook launched the up to date betting odds the place Antetokounmpo might land subsequent. Let’s take a deeper take a look at these odds, the highest vacation spot, and a dark-horse group that would purchase the NBA star.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are the favourite at +150 odds to retain Antetokounmpo, and head coach Doc Rivers has downplayed the scenario. It’s been identified that Giannis was beforehand dedicated to the group, however now it appears the script has flipped.
The Knicks could also be his most well-liked vacation spot, however oddsmakers have Giannis staying in Milwaukee.
Let’s be sincere—the Bucks don’t look like anyplace near championship mode, and so they owe Damian Lillard over $22 million over the subsequent 5 years after waiving him.
In response to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Giannis, alongside together with his agent, Alex Saratsis, has begun conversations with the entrance workplace concerning his future. On this report, a decision will come ahead as we roll into the vacations.
It’s do or die for the Bucks, who maintain only one first-round draft choose in 2026, 2028, 2030—2032. Having misplaced picks within the unique Damian Lillard commerce, the long run is kind of bleak.
Actually, the Bucks have little or no time to persuade Giannis to remain in Cream Metropolis. Whether or not it’s a coincidence or not, he wiped his Instagram of something Bucks-related as of late.
Solely two posts present him in a Bucks uniform: One is the in-season event Cup trophy, and the opposite dates again to him holding the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2021. Is Antetokounmpo sending a transparent message to the Bucks?
Total, Giannis has been vocal about successful one other ring, and he’ll be 33 by the point free company comes round. Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma, and Myles Turner aren’t shifting the needle this season. With Giannis now 30 years outdated, the Bucks should determine whether or not they can construct a championship group round him or commerce their star to a contender.
New York Knicks
Déjà-vu, anybody? Antetokounmpo was linked to the Knicks in the summertime, however that ultimately fizzled out. Now that it’s identified New York is his prime vacation spot, the dialog is gaining some buzz.
Oddsmakers have Giannis headed to the Knicks behind the Bucks at +260 odds. I’d say that’s fairly first rate worth contemplating the Large Apple is his chosen vacation spot.
The Knicks shocked the NBA world by signing Jalen Brunson in free company and later buying huge man Karl-Anthony Cities in a commerce. Having misplaced to the Pacers final 12 months within the Japanese Convention Finals, the Knicks can style a championship. Knocking on the door of a championship, it’s no secret that the franchise and all the metropolis of New York are prepared for a trophy. Final successful a title in 1973, the franchise faces a 52-year drought.
It might be a alternative if the Bucks commerce their greatest star to an Japanese Convention rival, however one would assume Giannis has earned that proper and belief with the franchise.
Giannis displays on scoring 21,000 profession factors and being the sixth-youngest participant in NBA historical past to take action. pic.twitter.com/prRIjGazTp
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 30, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo Prefers the Knicks
If the Knicks have been to drag this off, they’re prone to half methods with Cities, who’s owed over $53 million. In that case, New York would additionally both have to separate with wingman OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges, who has a commerce restriction till February 2026. This might particularly work given the Knicks have two first-round picks within the 2026 NBA Draft. That’s if the Knicks wish to totally half methods with a number of picks.
The Knicks sit No.2 within the Japanese Convention with a 14-7 report. The query is: Do they need Giannis? Does Milwaukee want to rebuild the franchise round Cities? With Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton out with Achilles accidents, is that this FINALLY the Knicks’ 12 months? Except for the Pistons, I might see them rising as the highest canine within the East.
Pairing Jalen Brunson with Giannis Antetokounmpo can be a dream come true for NBA followers, though they might lose their core by buying and selling two of the 5 starters. Whereas Giannis and Brunson can be one of the vital dynamic duos within the league, wouldn’t it be sufficient?
Limiting himself to at least one group could possibly be a catastrophe. The Knicks have a core of gamers, and I don’t see any younger expertise being despatched to Milwaukee. Except for a pile of picks, does New York have any gamers that the Bucks need?
San Antonio Spurs
If Antetokounmpo heads to San Antonio, might you think about pairing him with Victor Wembanyama? That may current one of the vital elite frontcourt duos the league has ever seen. Discuss full domination and rim safety.
The Spurs have rebuilt the franchise since drafting Wembanyama and sit No. 4 within the Western Convention with a 15-6 report.
The longer term is vivid—First Wembanyama, then Stephon Fort, and Dylan Harper. Does San Antonio actually wish to half methods with these younger, rising stars? Put up Greg Popovich period, the Spurs are inching nearer to the franchise that was as soon as headlined by Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili.
There’s no query that including Giannis would add an immediate affect and a lift—particularly on the defensive finish of issues.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama: The NBA’s Subsequent Unstoppable Duo?
Do the Spurs actually wish to abandon and interrupt the expansion course of? This group runs deep—after I imply deep, deep! San Antonio has eight gamers who common factors in double figures, and boasts a powerful backcourt with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Fort. That features Harper, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, and Devin Vassell.
In response to Evan Sidery, Fort and Harper are off-limits, which might be a sensible transfer on the Spurs’ half. If that’s the case, they’ve the draft capital and will embody a deal surrounding Fox (who has a commerce restriction till February 2026).
With the Feb. 5 commerce deadline looming, that is one in all my prime locations for Giannis. With +600 odds, the Spurs have the third-best odds to land the NBA star. My reasoning is that that is life like, and parting methods with Fox wouldn’t be earth-shattering.
We’re speaking about Giannis, a participant who’s placing up MVP-caliber numbers—28.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 6.1 APG. To not point out, he’s capturing a career-high 63.9 % from the sector, and 43.5% from three. Whereas often trying a protracted shot or two, Giannis may be very a lot a dominant inside power.
If the Spurs can hold each Harper and Fort and create a commerce package deal round picks, different gamers, and Fox, this commerce can be onerous to reject. To me, it makes essentially the most sense, and would instantly put the Spurs in additional win-now mode.
Miami Warmth
This can be a lengthy shot, however the books give the Warmth the fourth-best odds (+700) to land Giannis. Pat Riley has been right here earlier than, famously forming a giant three championship group with LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. Miami has by no means shied away from a chance to bolster its roster in hopes of successful one other championship.
As we noticed earlier than, the Warmth had a package deal beforehand ready for Damian Lillard. I don’t see them eradicating themselves from Giannis commerce talks presently.
Giannis has been linked to South Seashore up to now, and can be a viable possibility if Antetokounmpo prefers to stay within the Japanese Convention. Put up Jimmy Butler period, the Warmth have a core of Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins. That doesn’t embody rising stars Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Davion Mitchell.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to South Seashore?
The Warmth are already in early playoff competition talks with a 14-8 report. Fortunate for them, they’ve a handful of first-round picks over the subsequent few years, though some will not be tradeable because of the Terry Rozier acquisition.
Ought to Giannis hard-launch a commerce request, Miami should be knocking on the door. Whereas it’s unknown the place Terry Rozier stands so far as his wage amid FBI investigations, the Warmth have the belongings. Given Giannis is owed over $53 million this 12 months, the Warmth would almost definitely should half methods with one in all their prime canines. Meaning Powell, Rozier, Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo, or Tyler Herro could possibly be included in a commerce package deal.
I’d think about if Giannis have been to land in South Seashore, Milwaukee would need for Kel’el Ware, draft capital, and a number of other different younger, promising gamers in a deal. Not like different groups, the Warmth may also supply Jaquez Jr., an rising younger expertise within the league. It solely is sensible that Milwaukee receives picks and younger gamers to rebuild round. That is the place I consider the Warmth have the sting over the Knicks and Spurs.
Darkish-Horse: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
I presently don’t have odds on this, however it’s a wild thought that the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have the draft belongings and gamers to amass Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Boasting an NBA-best 20-1 report, the Thunder have received 13 straight and are nicely on their approach to repeating as reigning champions. I’ve stated it earlier than, Sam Presti may be essentially the most sensible govt the NBA has ever seen.
The Thunder have a novel technique, one which differentiates them from the remaining. Creating expertise from the draft, they clearly received the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes by buying Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a commerce from the Clippers. A group constructed for the long run—the Thunder have the potential to grow to be the subsequent New England Patriots of the NBA.
A Lengthy Shot
“If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it” is an old-time story, and it has some that means to it. The Thunder nonetheless has one of many youngest rosters within the NBA, and right here’s the scary half: Jalen Williams has performed simply three video games this season, and Ajay Mitchell has emerged as a star. Plus, the Thunder maintain FOUR first-round picks in 2026, and three in 2027. They’ve sufficient draft capital to make any deal, however ought to they?
Whereas the core of SGA, Chet Holmgren, and Williams received them a championship, it might be robust to make the numbers work by way of wage. SGA is owed essentially the most at $38 million, and the Thunder holds the Clippers’ prime picks.
If I’m the Thunder, I wouldn’t make any further strikes as this roster is stacked for years to come back. In the event that they comply with the mannequin, they’ll proceed to develop and stack draft picks. Presti ought to minimally investigate cross-check the scenario. In any other case, the Thunder are primed to repeat. In the event that they do go all-in, it might ship shockwaves throughout the basketball world.
The 2025—2026 NBA commerce deadline ends Feb. 5, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET.
Observe Sara Jane Gamelli on X: @SaraJGamelli
