Bucks predicted to cut ties with Giannis Antetokounmpo in favor $160 million ex-76ers forward originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It appears inevitable that the Milwaukee Bucks will end Giannis Antetokounmpo’s tenure with the franchise this summer.
Not only has Milwaukee failed to keep Antetokounmpo in a competitive environment following their 2021 championship, but the organization also urged the 10-time All-Star to shut it down toward the end of the regular season, despite his good health.
The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors are the three franchises that will continue to get the nod over other potential suitors regarding trade rumors centered on Antetokounmpo.
However, Heavy’s Joey Haverford has a hunch that the Bucks could swap Antetokounmpo for a 32-year-old ex-Philadelphia 76ers forward who currently competes with the Portland Trail Blazers.
“The Portland Trail Blazers apparently have the best trade package on paper to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks,” Haverford wrote last Friday. "Reports resurfaced earlier today that Portland strongly wants to enter the Giannis trade sweepstakes this summer.”
“Antetokounmpo would have the chance to reunite with former teammates Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, while the Bucks get great young assets.”
“Oregon Live reports that the Trail Blazers hope to trade two strong prospects and the Milwaukee draft picks owned from the Lillard trade. The following trade package makes the most sense (Jerami Grant + two players out of the core of Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan, Scoot Henderson, and Yang Hansen + two of their own draft picks + one of their own pick swaps to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo).”
Considering that most, if not all, trade scenarios involving Antetokounmpo would require the Bucks to enter rebuild mode, acquiring Grant in a blockbuster deal would undoubtedly help the franchise accelerate that grueling process.
The versatile two-way wing has 39 games of playoff experience, including the five games the Trail Blazers have played against the San Antonio Spurs this postseason. Grant also possesses valuable experience as a go-to offensive option, as he finished the 2025-26 season as Portland’s third-leading scorer.
Simply put, acquiring Grant this summer would go a long way toward a successful rebuild for the 2021 NBA champions.
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