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Giannis Antetokounmpo’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks may be coming to an end.
The Bucks are “open for business” when it comes to listening to trade offers for the two-time MVP, ESPN reported Monday. This is the final chapter in the saga of whether the team will actually deal with him.
The team is reportedly looking for a “young, blue-chip prospect and/or surplus draft pick” in a potential deal for Antetokounmpo.
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo plays during a game against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 10, 2026. (Jeff Hanisch/Imagn Images)
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam, who also owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, said last week he hopes to get a deal done before the NBA draft.
“I just think before the draft is a natural time,” Haslam said during a news conference introducing new head coach Taylor Jenkins. “Because if Giannis plays elsewhere, we have to have a lot of assets. That’s Jon’s job. And if he’s here, then you build the team differently.”
Antetokounmpo said he enjoyed playing in Milwaukee but wanted to play for a team determined to win and compete for championships.
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo watches the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 12, 2026. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
The Bucks initially signaled their intention to do so when they acquired Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the 2023-24 season. But an Achilles injury cut his time in Milwaukee short and he subsequently re-signed with Portland.
Milwaukee finished 32-50 in 2025-26 and missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
“We never had a problem communicating directly with Giannis — at all — and we always knew where he stood,” Haslam said. “And I think he always knew where we stood. We’ve had those kinds of conversations since the end of the season. … So over the next six or seven weeks, we’ll decide whether Giannis is going to sign a max contract and stay with us, or whether he’s going to play somewhere else. And (general manager) Jon (Horst) and Taylor, and (co-owner) Wes (Edens) and I will make that decision, and we understand the gravity of that decision.”
The Bucks have the 10th pick in the first round and could be set up for the future if a trade is made.
Antetokounmpo has been sidelined for the last few games. The Bucks said he was injured, but the 10-time All-Star said he was healthy enough to play.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks walks on the court during a EuroLeague playoff basketball game between Olympiacos and AS Monaco in Piraeus, near Athens, April 30, 2026. He wears a jersey with the image of Michael Jordan. (Petros Giannakouris/AP)
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He finished the year averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 36 games.
