Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Packages

The Greek Freak could be onto bigger and better things, but where?

Where it began

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been Milwaukee basketball since the beginning of his NBA career. Stepping into an organizations that had not seen significant success in quite some time, Giannis was tasked with turning around a franchise in a not-so-favorable market in Milwaukee. Since being drafted 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013, Antetokounmpo has been to 9 All-Star Games, made an All-NBA team 9 times, won 2 MVP awards, made 5 All-Defensive teams, and led the Bucks to an NBA Championship in 2021.

Where we stand

While Antetokounmpo has not formally requested a trade, the Bucks currently sit at 17-24 as I write this, the no. 11 seed in the Eastern Conference. While Milwaukee has had a few bright spots this season, like the emergence of Ryan Rollins and consistent, efficient play from Bobby Portis, and the second-best three-point in the league as a team (39%),it has not been an ideal season thus far. Today, I wanted to explore some trade packages that I believe would be feasible for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade as we near the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Antetokounmpo has two years remaining on a contract extension that he signed in 2023, with a $62.7M player option in the 2027-2028 season.

Golden State Warriors

Warriors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Tobias Harris, Brandin Podziemski, 2026 unprotected first-round pick, 2027 first-round swap, 2028 unprotected first-round pick, 2029 first-round swap, 2031 unprotected first-round pick

Pistons receive: Draymond Green

Golden State could be looking to add a third star alongside Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, while also adding an interior defensive presence that they desperately need. Giannis would also add a level of scoring on the interior that Curry has never played with throughout the entirety of his career in Golden State. The time is ticking on Golden State as Curry will be 38 in March and Jimmy Butler turning 37 later in the year. If there's a time to make a championship level move, it's now.

As for Milwaukee, you get a fresh start with Jonathan Kuminga, who formally requested a trade from Golden State just days ago as I write this. If the experiment works out and Kuminga proves to be a viable scoring option, then Milwaukee could be adding a young star in this trade and could extend him in the future. If it does not work out, then Milwaukee could cut ties with Kuminga as he is currently on a two-year contract with a $24M club option in 2026-2027. Milwaukee also adds significant draft capital in this trade, while also adding a promising young guard in Podziemski and an expiring Tobias Harris contract.

For Detroit, it's a one-for-one swap essentially with Tobias Harris and Draymond Green. A Michigan native, Green would add another playmaker to the mix alongside Cade Cunningham while providing additional defensive help on the interior. Green has a $27M player option next season that I would imagine he accepts, providing Detroit with a season and a half of a proven veteran and someone with a significant amount of championship experience. Detroit currently sits as the no. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 29-10 record, so adding an experienced winner in Green could help elevate them come playoff time.

San Antonio Spurs

Spurs receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks receive: Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, 2026 first-round swap (via ATL), 2027 unprotected first-round pick (via ATL), 2029 unprotected first-round pick, 2032 unprotected first-round pick

San Antonio looks to be building a juggernaut in the Western Conference powered by Victor Wembanyama. They lucked out in the 2025 draft lottery, landing Dylan Harper with the no. 2 pick. With De'Aaron Fox under contract through the 2029-2030 season and several viable role players across the board, San Antonio doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. In this particular scenario, San Antonio could be building the scariest front court duo in the history of basketball. The dominance of Giannis Antetokounmpo on both sides of the ball coupled with the razzle dazzle of Victor Wembanyama at 7'5 could be unfair for the rest of the league. This would be a home run for San Antonio and would, in my eyes, instantly thrust them into one of the top favorites to win the 2026 NBA Championship and potentially more in the future.

For Milwaukee, draft capital remains the name of the game. With the uncertainty of Atlanta, who knows where those picks could land. As for the players you get in return, you add 2024-2025 Rookie of the Year in Stephon Castle, who can provide you great stability in the backcourt and could potentially be one of your main building blocks for the future. Devin Vassell signed a 5-year rookie extension in 2023 that runs through the 2028-2029 season. At 25-years-old already in his 6th season in the NBA, Vassell can provide you with ample scoring while also providing a lot of value on the defensive end. Harrison Barnes brings another veteran presence to the room and has a contract that expires at the end of this season.

Miami Heat

Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ryan Rollins

Bucks receive: Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Pelle Larsson, 2026 unprotected first-round pick, 2028 first-round swap, 2029 unprotected first-round pick, 2030 first-round swap

Miami would add a much needed first option on their team alongside great counterparts like Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell. While you lose elite guard play in this trade with Tyler Herro, you add an up-and-coming young guard in Ryan Rollins to add some depth and scoring alongside the defensive menace in Davion Mitchell. This trade would give Miami even more upside on the defensive end and add a guy who can get you a bucket when you need him to. A front court of Giannis and Bam would create nightmares for NBA offenses. Miami would assert themselves as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.

For the Bucks, you add a Milwaukee native in Tyler Herro who can keep you afloat and become a no. 1 scoring option. Herro is under contract through the 2026-2027 season, so Milwaukee is not tied down to Herro in the long term, unless he balls out and warrants an extension. Terry Rozier is in significant legal trouble and likely would not even touch the court for Milwaukee, but the expiring contract is simply included as filler money to get off the books. Pelle Larsson gives Milwaukee another young player that can be a strong scorer from beyond the arc. The theme continues with draft capital, as it seems that Milwaukee does not quite have a roster that is ready to win at a high level. With Giannis' contract potentially running through the 2028 season, who knows where the 2029 and 2030 picks could land.