The Milwaukee Bucks are officially open for business on trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources told ESPN. After a season marred by dysfunction and a fractured relationship between the two-time MVP and his franchise, a separation appears inevitable. A knee injury late in the year – and the Bucks’ controversial decision to shut him down – even triggered a league investigation into the organization itself.
Six weeks to make it happen
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam has put a public timeline on the situation. “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 told reporters. The 2026 NBA Draft is set for June 23 – per ESPN, any deal would likely close between June 10 and June 23.
Milwaukee’s asking price remains firm: a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of unprotected first-round picks. The bar is high, and every team in the market knows it.
A crowded field of suitors
The list of interested franchises is long. ESPN and HoopsHype report that the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers have all shown interest at varying levels. Golden State and Miami are expected to engage once their respective lottery situations are settled.
Antetokounmpo had reportedly expressed a preference for the Knicks, a desire that became known to all parties during the offseason. The Celtics – who pushed hard at the February trade deadline and came up short – remain among the most aggressive suitors. Their pitch: pair the two-time MVP with a championship-caliber roster and compete immediately.
How the relationship fell apart
A year ago, Antetokounmpo first signaled publicly that he was open to finding a better fit outside Milwaukee. This season, the situation deteriorated entirely. Multiple sources describe the relationship between player and franchise as beyond repair. Milwaukee intends to maximize value in any deal – and with competition this fierce, they may get exactly that.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and 2021 NBA champion who turns 32 in December, remains one of the most dominant forwards in the league when healthy. The next six weeks will determine where he plays next – and reshape the Eastern Conference for years to come.
[Update – May 14, 2026, 9:00 AM UTC] New reporting confirms Antetokounmpo has informed all parties of his desire to play for the New York Knicks. Milwaukee’s asking price – a young blue-chip talent and/or surplus draft picks – remains firm, per ESPN. A resolution is expected before the June 23-24 draft. Source: ESPN.
