New Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Packages NBA Isn’t Ready For

The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors have heated up over the past few days. It began with the two-time MVP deleting all the Milwaukee Bucks-related posts since 2021 after Monday's 129-126 loss to the Washington Wizards.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Wednesday that Antetokounmpo did indeed request a trade to the New York Knicks this past offseason. Hours later, Antetokounmpo exited the Bucks' 113-109 win over the Detroit Pistons due to a non-contact calf strain.

Sports Doctor Brian Sutterer believed the injury was "odd." He didn't see any relevant issue that caused the ailment. It spread the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors like wildfire as many speculated this could be his last game in a Bucks jersey.

Several fans online also accused the potential trade candidate of faking an injury to move out of Milwaukee.

𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐜

@eric_ikyg

Giannis faking a injury to get out of Milwaukee

Should Antetokounmpo look for a move, all 29 teams will likely show some level of interest. Only a few can be viewed as legitimate suitors, as the superstar forward will likely choose his next destination.

Here are three shocking Giannis Antetokounmpo trades that could alter the league's course.

---

3 Shocking Giannis Antetokounmpo Trades

#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo to Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers could be a wildcard trade destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo. It's a basketball city with one of the best fan bases and a core in place that could help the former NBA finals MVP win a second championship. The 76ers happen to boast assets that could entice Milwaukee.

Here's the potential trade sending Antetokounmpo to the 76ers:

76ers get

• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Kyle Kuzma
• Haywood Highsmith

Bucks get

• Joel Embiid
• VJ Edgecombe
• Quentin Grimes
• Jalen Wilson
• 2027 first-round pick swap (via 76ers)
• 2029 first-round pick (76ers swap right with Clippers)
• 2031 first-round pick (via 76ers)
• 2027 second-round pick (via 76ers)
• 2028 second-round pick (via 76ers)
• 2029 second-round pick (via 76ers)
• 2032 second-round pick (via 76ers)

Nets get

• Kelly Oubre Jr.
• Amir Coffey
• Adem Bona
• 2031 second-round pick (via 76ers)

The 76ers will have to sign two players via buyout or upgrade two-way contracts, Dominick Barlow and Jabari Smith Jr., to complete the trade. Meanwhile, the Bucks and Nets will have to cut one player each.

The deal is only possible with Quentin Grimes' approval, who has a no-trade clause and trade restriction until Jan. 1.

The Bucks will get a young star in VJ Edgecombe to build around, along with Grimes, who is 25 and can be part of their long-term plans. Taking on Joel Embiid's contract would be tricky given his injury history. But Milwaukee will likely move on from other veterans and his salary won't be as much of an issue.

The Bucks can eventually stretch and waive his contract or buy him out. Moreover, if Antetokounmpo zeroes in on the 76ers as a landing spot, Embiid being part of the framework is likely the only way this trade works.

Milwaukee doesn't have other favorable picks, so a haul of three major firsts (Edgecombe, 2029 and 2031 picks), one swap in 2027 and four second-round picks compensates fairly for taking on Embiid's contract.

---

#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo to Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have dreamed of Giannis Antetokounmpo as their next franchise star and current co-star for Steph Curry. Golden State has remained patient with its moves and chased buy-low targets. With Antetokounmpo back in the trade rumor mill, the Warriors could be at the forefront of the trade rumors.

While Golden State has four first-round picks, they won't be lucrative with Antetokounmpo on the team. Those will likely be late first-rounders, which won't mean much to Milwaukee.

However, if the Bucks end up with two young stars as seen in our proposed trade, things might change for Golden State.

Here's the framework sending Antetokounmpo to the Warriors:

Warriors get

• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Bucks get

• Ja Morant
• Jonathan Kuminga
• 2026 first-round pick (via Warriors)
• 2027 first-round pick swap (via Warriors)
• 2028 first-round pick (via Warriors)
• 2030 second-round pick (via Warriors)
• 2031 first-round pick swap (via Warriors)
• 2032 first-round pick (via Warriors)

Grizzlies get

• Jimmy Butler
• Ryan Rollins
• Brandin Podziemski
• 2029 first-round pick swap (via Warriors)

Ja Morant is another star heavily named in the trade rumor mill. His value isn't at its best right now. However, there's still hope that he can revive himself on another team. The Bucks can give him that chance, along with Jonathan Kuminga, to build a new core. Though not as favorable, Milwaukee gets a haul of six picks, including five firsts, a former All-Star and an All-Star upside forward.

The Warriors, meanwhile, lose Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski to facilitate Morant's trade to the Bucks. Butler would need to be traded either way due to salary cap complications. The Warriors owe him $111.0 million over two years, including this season.

Antetokounmpo, alongside Steph Curry, gives them a far better shot at a fifth championship since 2015. It also extends their status as a perennial playoff team for at least five years, if not longer.

The Grizzlies pair Jaren Jackson Jr. with a veteran star, along with two developing prospects like Ryan Rollins and Brandin Podziemski. They can contend or retool their roster with these pieces.

---

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo to LA Lakers

The LA Lakers are never left behind in any trade chatter when it comes to an All-NBA player. Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't any different. Many fans have already tried it on trade machines. While some trade proposals have technically passed, logically, those might not come to fruition.

The Bucks will expect a certain price tag for Antetokounmpo, even if he wishes to go to specific teams. The two options above have enough compensation with the involvement of other teams. The Lakers would have to take the same route by including a third partner to pursue Antetokounmpo.

Here's the framework sending Antetokounmpo to the Lakers:

Lakers get

• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Vit Krejci

Bucks get

• Kristaps Porzingis
• Luke Kennard
• Adou Thiero
• Dalton Knecht
• 2026 first-round pick (via Hawks - SAS, CLE, MIN or UTA swap rights)
• 2026 first-round pick swap (via Lakers)
• 2028 first-round pick swap (via Lakers)
• 2029 first-round pick (via Hawks)
• 2030 first-round pick swap (via Lakers)
• 2031 first-round pick (via Lakers)
• 2031 first-round pick (via Hawks)
• 2032 first-round pick swap (via Lakers)
• 2032 second-round pick (via Lakers)

Hawks get

• Austin Reaves
• Rui Hachimura
• Gabe Vincent
• Deandre Ayton

The Lakers ship Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Deandre Ayton to the Hawks for picks, which they use to offer them to the Bucks. Two of those picks are unprotected in 2029 and 2031 from Atlanta, while LA offers one unprotected first and four swaps with a second-round pick. The most favorable of the Hawks' 2026 first-rounder would go to San Antonio.

The Hawks offload Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard's expiring contracts in this trade, while giving the Lakers Vit Krejci. The Bucks will have to waive up to three players, while the Lakers would need to upgrade two-way contracts to standard deals and sign another free agent to fill roster spots.