All Eyes on Giannis: Is the Greek Freak Really Leaving Milwaukee?
Written by: Varun Sharma
Last Update: Fri Jan 30, 2026, 11:17 pm ET
Read Time: 9 minutes
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Today we're here to talk about the one and only, Giannis Antetokounmpo. One of the sport's top five players and one of the most dominant forces currently in the NBA. Giannis is up on the trade block and reports are finally coming out that both sides are coming to terms with his departure.
It looks like his time in Milwaukee's coming to an end, but let's not forget everything he was able to do in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform.
- NBA Champion (2021)
- Finals MVP (2021)
- 2x NBA MVP (2019, 2020)
- Defensive Player of the Year (2020)
- 10x NBA All-Star (2017-2026)
- 7x All-NBA First Team (2019-2025)
- 2x All-NBA Second Team
- 4x All-Defensive First Team (2019-2022)
- All-Defensive Second Team (2017)
- Most Improved Player (2017)
The situation in Milwaukee's a little complicated, with Giannis being extension eligible this off-season and looking for a max level deal. If Giannis is traded before the deadline, he'll be extension eligible with his new team this summer.
However, if the Bucks trade Giannis in the off-season, a whole new pool of players becomes available. Players that signed extensions last summer will now be moveable and the potential asset pool for Milwaukee multiplies.
Now let's get into potential landing spots for the Greek Freak and some trade packages Milwaukee could get in return.
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New York Knicks
Let's start with the one team everyone's loves talking about, the New York Knicks. Despite landing Karl-Anthony Towns less than two years ago and reaching the Conference Finals just last year, Knicks fans are ready for change. Giannis to New York has long been rumoured and it seems to come up every year around this time of the season.
The problem with this deal is the fact New York is devoid of future assets right now. The Knicks gave up FIVE 1st round picks in the Mikal Bridges trade and three of those picks are still owed to Brooklyn. The Bucks would need to agree to a deal that was tailored around Towns and I don't think thats the direction Milwaukee's looking to go.
Milwaukee's looking for draft capital and young players in return and that's something the Knicks just don't have. If the Knicks could convince a third team to come in on this deal, maybe unload KAT/Mikal for some picks, then MAYBE this could happen.
Reports have come out that Giannis will have some say in where he ends up and there is definitely a world in which Giannis forces his way to New York; I just don't see it.
Potential: Doubtful
Miami Heat
Miami is everyone's favorite destination to talk about anytime a superstar becomes available. The sun-filled shores of South Beach always find their way into the request list for any superstar and usually it's just smoke/mirrors, but this time it could be for real.
Reports are that Bam Adebayo and Giannis have discussed the idea of playing together, but the extent of those conversations is anyone's guess.
Not only is Miami on Giannis' list of preferred teams, but Pat Riley might have the assets to get it done. The Heat have a plethora of of young talent with guys like Nikola Jović, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and maybe even a guy like Tyler Herro.
The problem for Miami comes up when you begin talking about draft assets. They traded their 1st round pick in the 2027 draft to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Terry Rozier (yikes). That pick is top-15 protected in 2027 but unprotected in 2028. That means Miami can't trade their 1st round pick this year, in 2028 and potentially 2029. Teams aren't allowed to trade consecutive 1st round draft picks so that leaves Miami handcuffed.
Miami's offer won't be the best on the table, but it'll definitely be better than what New York can offer.
Potential: Unlikely
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors present one of the more interesting Giannis trade options. We know that both Giannis and Stephen Curry have an off-court relationship and that the two have spoken about playing together; even in jest. Both guys are looking to maximize their competitive windows and a pairing like this might just do exactly that.
Giannis is currently on a 3-year deal, third year being a player option that would lock him in to the 2027/28 season. The belief around the league is that Giannis is looking to sign a max extension this off-season, but if he's willing to forego the extension and play out his last two years, he could pair himself with the greatest shooter of all time and then exit just as Curry's career comes to a close.
Giannis could then theoretically pick his new team at the age of 34, looking to finish off his career in a place of his choosing. The Warriors do also have the assets to get this deal done. Outside of young players like Jonathan Kuminga, Will Richard and Brandin Podziemski; the Warriors have draft capital.
Golden State owns all their draft picks between now and 2032, aside from a top-20 protected pick they sent to the Wizards in 2030. The Warriors have also made it clear that most of the picks would be on the table if a deal were to be worked out. Kuminga's only 23 years old and has shown flashes of high level basketball when given the opportunity.
Salary would obviously have to move the other way, so a guy like Draymond, who comes off the books after next season could be included in the deal and the Warriors could theoretically get this done.
Potential: Maybe
Oklahoma City Thunder
I talked about this on the All-Sauce Team, the Oklahoma City Thunder could do the unthinkable and push the big red button; the nuclear option. When it comes to future assets, no one has a bigger war chest than the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sam Presti has accumulated close to 11 1st round draft picks between this year's upcoming draft (2026) and the 2032 NBA Draft. The Thunder have one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, full of young talent and even have a few more veteran guys they could use to allure a potential third team. Guys like Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Hartenstein, or Isaiah Joe; all guys that could have a big impact for different teams.
Oklahoma City could even make this deal work while maintaining their big three of Shai, Chet and JDub. Both Chet and JDub still haven't hit their extension years yet and because of that flexibility, Giannis could play out his contract here, opt out after the end of the 2026/27 season.
Giannis walks, signs with a team where he can finish out his career. Oklahoma City maintains their core with all three of their big three still under the age of 30. Win/win scenario if Giannis is once again willing to forego the extension.
Potential: Nuclear, but Maybe
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets represent one of the funnier options, at least to me. The Nets have 10 moveable picks between now and 2032, 2nd only to the Oklahoma City Thunder. They've got young players like Egor Dëmin, Danny Wolf, Noah Clowney and even Ben Saraf.
The Nets also represent a team that has a ton of cap space and can easily sign Giannis to the max level extension, while at the same time potentially luring in other big names via free agency/trade. Brooklyn won't compete this year, but they are a team with a blank slate, are in a big market, and play in a city that most people would love to be in.
The Nets don't have the culture, but they damn sure have the assets to get a guy like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Potential: Unlikely, but enticing
Off-Season Suitors
Like I said above, the list of teams that become potential landing spots for the Greek Freak multiplies in the offseason. As of right now, the Lakers have just one moveable 1st round pick; that changes to three this off-season.
Teams that are having a stellar year and not willing to rock the boat while having a great year. Teams like the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs or even Houston Rockets could be on the table after a short postseason run or re-evaluation of the roster in the off-season.
Not only does it make more team available but the number of moveable players in the off-season multiplies. With more players available and more teams looking to re-tool before next year, it opens up more options for the Bucks; albeit at the expense of their beloved superstar.
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