NBA trade deadline: What 29 teams can propose for Giannis?

At some point before the 2026 NBA offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks will confront a pivotal decision for the franchise:

Whether to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It is important to note that the Bucks’ two-time MVP has not asked for a trade. Since being drafted in 2013, Antetokounmpo has shown loyalty to the organization, signing contract extensions in 2016, 2020, and 2023.

General manager Jon Horst has also been dedicated to constructing a team around Milwaukee’s star player, aiming to replicate the championship-level support that ended a 50-year title drought in 2021.

However, bold offseason moves—including a problematic trade for guard Damian Lillard in 2023 and the free-agent acquisition of center Myles Turner last summer—have not propelled Milwaukee closer to title contention. Currently, the Bucks are on track for their poorest record in a decade and risk entering the lottery for the first time since 2015.

The combination of a subpar supporting cast—Milwaukee is minus-11.2 points per 100 possessions when Antetokounmpo is off the court—and the fact that the 31-year-old forward is about to enter the final year of his contract has led to speculation around the league that a trade could be imminent.

But to which teams? Which franchises possess the draft capital and salary cap flexibility to facilitate a trade? Which teams would be willing to take the risk of acquiring Antetokounmpo without a guarantee of him signing an extension? Would the Oklahoma City Thunder or Detroit Pistons—currently the top seeds in their respective conferences—consider engaging in trade discussions with Milwaukee?

We are categorizing the other 29 teams into tiers, from those that could present the most enticing trade offers to those that have little realistic chance of acquiring the 10-time All-Star.

Jump to a section:
What options do the Bucks have?
10 franchises with the most to offer
Picks, but a mismatched timeline
Teams with injured/former All-Stars
Contracts, but light on draft picks
Assets for a deal, but with big risks
Empty pockets | Waiting on sideline

Do the Bucks need to trade Giannis? Milwaukee still has options

Prioritizing youth, accumulating draft assets, and acquiring players ready to win should be the objectives for Milwaukee. However, can they achieve these goals without parting with a franchise cornerstone?

Following trades for Jrue Holiday, Lillard, and the signing of Turner, Milwaukee’s pool of tradeable assets and contracts continues to diminish. The Bucks do possess their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick to include in any trade but are heavily weighted in salary—11 of 15 players under contract earn between $2.3 million and $5.1 million.

With Antetokounmpo currently off the table for trade discussions, the most attractive contracts available for potential deals ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline are Turner ($25.3 million), Kyle Kuzma ($22.4 million), and Bobby Portis ($23.5 million).

play1:26Doc Rivers: Giannis’ calf injury history is concerning

Bucks coach Doc Rivers addresses Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recurring calf injuries.

However, given that Antetokounmpo will be sidelined for an extended period, Horst and the front office may opt to wait and reassess this summer. Although missing the playoffs was not the initial goal for the season, Milwaukee is now positioned to secure a lottery pick to add to the league’s fifth-oldest roster. (The Bucks will receive the less favorable first-round pick between their own and the Pelicans.)

Starting on the night of the draft, Milwaukee will be permitted to trade three first-round picks (2026, 2031, and 2033) to potentially enhance the roster surrounding Antetokounmpo.

Acquiring players through free agency may prove more challenging. Milwaukee has nine free agents this summer, with five holding player options (Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Gary Harris, Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims).

The Bucks are also projected to exceed the salary cap this offseason, partly due to the Turner signing last offseason at the expense of Lillard. After waiving and stretching his contract, Milwaukee is obligated to pay the guard $20.2 million annually through 2029-30. Unless they create space by trading Turner, Kuzma, or Portis, Milwaukee will have access to the $15.1 million non-tax midlevel, $5.5 million biannual, and veteran minimum exceptions to sign players this summer.

However, if Milwaukee determines that trading Antetokounmpo is the most viable option, which franchises possess the draft capital, contracts, and young talent to facilitate a deal? (It is crucial to note for teams pursuing Antetokounmpo: Any franchise lacking cap space would need to send Milwaukee at least $43.5 million in salary while remaining under the first apron.)

10 teams with the most to offer

Atlanta Hawks

Deal difficulty: 7/10. The Pelicans’ pick could be a deal-breaker.

Could the Hawks entice Milwaukee with one of the top selections in this year’s draft for the chance to draft Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, or Cameron Boozer? Atlanta does not control its own first-round pick until 2028 but possesses one of the most sought-after draft assets in the league: the more favorable 2026 first-round pick between New Orleans and Milwaukee. (The Hawks also have the less favorable 2027 first-round pick between New Orleans and Milwaukee if it falls outside the top four.)

Integrating Antetokounmpo into a young, emerging core led by Jalen Johnson would be intriguing. However, the risk remains: trading away a potential No. 1 pick in a deep draft while facing the possibility of Antetokounmpo departing for nothing in the 2027 offseason.

Apron status: $14.8 million below first apron (hard capped)

Draft assets:

• 2026 first-round pick (more favorable between New Orleans and Milwaukee)

• 2027 first-round pick (less favorable between New Orleans and Milwaukee; top-four protected)

• 2026 first-round swap (less favorable between Cleveland and Utah)

• 2028 first-round swap (less favorable between Cleveland and Utah)

• 2029 to 2032 first-round picks

Contracts:

• Free agents: Kristaps Porzingis ($30.7 million), Luke Kennard ($11 million), Mouhamed Gueye ($2.2 million)

• Rookie scale: Zaccharie Risacher ($13.2 million, RFA 2028), Asa Newell ($3.2 million, RFA 2029)

• Notable: Jalen Johnson ($30 million, UFA 2030), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($15.1 million, UFA 2029), Onyeka Okongwu ($15 million, UFA 2028)

Notable trade exceptions:

• 13.1 million

Detroit Pistons

Deal difficulty: 2/10. Detroit possesses the contracts, draft picks, and young talent to facilitate an Antetokounmpo trade, but does the top team in the East want to disrupt its momentum?

If we consider coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s remarks from last month, it seems unlikely that the front office will hastily seek to enhance its roster. “You don’t need to skip steps and go out and trade for some sort of superstar right away because you never know how that’s going to end up,” Bickerstaff stated on FanDuel TV.

However, what if one of those steps involved acquiring Antetokounmpo? Detroit would meet many of Milwaukee’s ideal criteria for a trade. The Pistons can offer up to four first-round picks, have a significant tradeable contract in Tobias Harris, and possess promising young players Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, and Ron Holland.

Apron status: $26.1 million below first apron (hard capped)

Draft assets:

• 2026 to 2032 first-round picks

Contracts

• Free agents: Tobias Harris ($26.6 million, UFA 2026), Jaden Ivey ($10.1 million, RFA 2026), Jalen Duren ($6.5 million, RFA 2026), Paul Reed ($5.1 million, Team 2026), Javonte Green ($2.3 million, UFA 2026), Isaac Jones ($2 million, RFA 2026)

• Rookie scale: Ausar Thompson ($8.8 million, RFA 2027), Ron Holland II ($8.7 million, RFA 2028), Marcus Sasser ($2.9 million, RFA 2027)

• Notable: Cade Cunningham ($46.4 million, UFA 2030), Duncan Robinson ($15.3 million, UFA 2028), Isaiah Stewart ($15 million, Team 2027), and Caris LeVert ($14.1 million, UFA 2027)

Notable trade exceptions:

• $14.1 million

Houston Rockets

Deal difficulty: 7/10. Another blockbuster for Houston would necessitate picks and likely a young cornerstone.

Following a first-round exit to Golden State in last season’s playoffs, Houston utilized many of its trade assets to acquire Kevin Durant. (So far, the results have been positive.) However, the Rockets still hold a valuable 2027 swap with Brooklyn and an unprotected first-round pick from Phoenix in that same draft. While these draft picks are appealing, the Bucks would almost certainly target Amen Thompson as a player to build around in the event of losing Antetokounmpo.

Apron status: $1.25 million below first apron (hard capped)

Draft assets:

• 2027 first-round swap rights with Brooklyn

• 2027 first-round pick (via Phoenix)

• 2029 first-round picks (two most favorable between own, Dallas, and Phoenix)

Contracts:

• Restrictions: Fred VanVleet ($25 million, player option 2026, one-year bird), Jabari Smith Jr. ($12.4 million, UFA 2030, poison pill), Aaron Holiday ($2.3 million, UFA 2026, one-year bird), Jae’Sean Tate ($2.3 million, UFA 2026, one-year bird)

• Free agents: Tari Eason ($5.7 million, RFA 2026), Jeff Green ($2.3 million, UFA 2026), Josh Okogie ($2.3 million, UFA 2026)

• Rookie scale: Reed Sheppard ($10.6 million, RFA 2028), Amen Thompson ($9.7 million, RFA 2027)

• Notable: Kevin Durant ($54.7 million, player option 2027), Alperen Sengun ($33.9 million, player option 2029), Steven Adams ($14.1 million, UFA 2028), Dorian Finney-Smith ($12.7 million, UFA 2029), and Clint Capela ($6.7 million, UFA 2028)

Notable trade exceptions:

• $12.5 million

Miami Heat

Deal difficulty: 7/10. Miami has the salary cap flexibility, young talent, and potentially a significant expiring contract to include in trades. However, it cannot trade a first-round pick until the next decade.

The Heat are well-positioned to absorb Antetokounmpo’s salary without being hindered by the first apron hard cap. From a contractual perspective, Miami has three players earning over $25 million, including former All-Stars Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins, both of whom will be free agents in 2027. Miami could also include the $26.6 million expiring contract of Terry Rozier, who was placed on leave by the NBA in October.

While the Heat have young players like Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr., a potential sticking point in trade discussions with Milwaukee would be Miami’s two available first-round picks—scheduled for 2030 and 2032.

Apron status: $7.2 million below first apron (hard capped)

Draft assets:

• 2030 and 2032 first-round picks

• Swap rights in 2026, 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032

Contracts:

• Restrictions: Nikola Jovic ($4.4 million, UFA 2030, poison pill)

• Free agents: Andrew Wiggins ($28.2 million, player option 2026), Terry Rozier ($26.6 million, UFA 2026), Norman Powell ($20.5 million, UFA 2026), Simone Fontecchio ($8.3 million, UFA 2026), and Keshad Johnson ($1.9 million, RFA 2026)

• Rookie scale: Kel’el Ware ($4.4 million, RFA 2028), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($3.9 million, RFA 2027), Kasparas Jakucionis ($3.7 million, RFA 2029)

• Notable: Bam Adebayo ($37.1 million, UFA 2029), Tyler Herro ($31 million, UFA 2027), Davion Mitchell ($11.5 million, UFA 2027)

Notable trade exceptions:

• $16.8 million

• $14.1 million

• $7.8 million

• $5.6 million

Minnesota Timberwolves

Deal difficulty: 8/10. Minnesota lacks first-round picks and is navigating a tight financial situation. Acquiring Antetokounmpo may necessitate some strategic moves from president Tim Connelly.

While the Timberwolves have players who could expedite a rebuild in Milwaukee, such as Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Jaden McDaniels, they do not have any first-round picks to offer in a trade. One potential strategy for the front office could involve rerouting players to a third team for a future first-round pick to send to Milwaukee. Complicating any trade construction, the Timberwolves cannot accept more salary than they send out in a deal.

Apron status: $3.6 million below second apron (not hard capped)

Draft assets:

• First-round swap in 2028

Contracts:

• Restrictions: Joe Ingles ($2.3 million, UFA 2026, one-year bird)

• Free agents: Mike Conley ($10.7 million, UFA 2026), Jaylen Clark ($2.2 million, UFA 2026), Bones Hyland ($2.3 million, UFA 2026), and Leonard Miller ($2.2 million, Team 2026)

• Rookie scale contracts: Rob Dillingham ($6.6 million, RFA 2028), Terrence Shannon Jr. ($2.7 million, RFA 2028), Joan Beringer ($4.2 million, RFA 2029)