Giannis Antetokounmpo has not yet requested a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, but he is “open-minded” to an exit and is in “fact-finding mode,” sources tell The Athletic. Antetokounmpo is “discussing his situation with trusted confidantes while making it clear that he’s reading the room here,” writes Sam Amick.
The medium-term future of the Bucks looked challenging given their ongoing salary, luxury tax and apron issues given their aging roster, but their short-term outlook took a massive hit in the first round when Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles.
The Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs are considered two of the leading contenders to acquire Antetokounmpo given their ability to assemble an attractive trade package to offer the Bucks while also maintaining enough players around him to compete for titles. The New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks could be on the periphery. Similar to the Rockets and Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder could put together an attractive offer to the Bucks, but their level of interest is unknown and could be dependent on how their playoff run plays out.
Antetokounmpo signed an extension with the Bucks in 2023 following their trade for Lillard and he can become a free agent in 2026.