As the NBA trade deadline approaches in three days, reports highlight intense interest from teams like the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves in acquiring Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Mock trade scenarios suggest multi-team deals involving significant draft picks and players to entice the Bucks. While no deal is imminent, the packages aim to provide Milwaukee with substantial future assets.
The NBA trade deadline looms, with Giannis Antetokounmpo remaining a Milwaukee Buck for now, but multiple teams are reportedly working to change that. According to CBS Sports, four favorites—New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves—have emerged in discussions, though none have offered a compelling enough package yet. Experts note that the Bucks could wait until the offseason for better offers, as Antetokounmpo is contracted through the 2026-27 season.
In a detailed mock trade for the Knicks, a five-team deal would send Antetokounmpo and Kelly Olynyk to New York in exchange for Jerami Grant, Harrison Barnes, Guerschon Yabusele, Tyler Kolek, and seven first-round picks from various teams, including protections and swaps. The scenario involves trading OG Anunoby to the Spurs and Mikal Bridges to the Trail Blazers to generate draft capital, as the Knicks lack sufficient picks. 'The idea of an offense featuring Antetokounmpo, Towns and Jalen Brunson is tantalizing,' the report states, while acknowledging defensive gaps.
For the Warriors, the mock includes Antetokounmpo, Anfernee Simons, Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, and Xavier Tillman heading to Golden State, with the Bucks receiving Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, Chris Boucher, Will Richard, and five first-round picks plus a swap. This leverages Boston's involvement, sending Draymond Green and Al Horford there for their 2026 pick. Yahoo Sports echoes interest, suggesting Warriors owner Joe Lacob views Antetokounmpo as a way to extend Stephen Curry's window, proposing a package of Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Butler, and four picks with three swaps.
The Heat's hypothetical deal regains their 2027 pick via the Hornets to send four first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2030, 2032) and a 2031 swap to Milwaukee, along with Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Josh Green, Nikola Jović, Kel'El Ware, and Kasparas Jakučionis. In return, Miami gets Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, and their own 2027 pick back indirectly.
Minnesota's complex five-team trade would net Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, and Julian Phillips, with the Bucks gaining Anfernee Simons, Naz Reid, Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, Grant Williams, Sam Hauser, Dalen Terry, Joan Beringer, Terence Shannon Jr., Bones Hyland, and five picks plus a swap. This requires trading Jaden McDaniels to the Hornets, Rudy Gobert to the Celtics, and Julius Randle to the Bulls.
Yahoo Sports also proposes simpler blockbusters, like Antetokounmpo to the Knicks with Jalen Brunson, potentially ending New York's title drought, or to the Trail Blazers for young pieces and picks. These scenarios underscore the high stakes, with teams needing to 'blow Milwaukee away' to act before the deadline.
