Will Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo before the deadline? Experts make final predictions
With the 2026 NBA trade deadline set for 3 p.m. ET this Thursday, the league is already reeling from a week of seismic activity. Following the stunning blockbusters that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards and James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the basketball world has turned its collective gaze toward Wisconsin. The final, and potentially most devastating, domino remains standing: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
As the clock ticks down, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves at a franchise-altering crossroads. Despite Antetokounmpo’s repeated public declarations of loyalty to the city that drafted him, the team’s on-court struggles and an aging roster have forced the front office to survey the market. Sources indicate that while the "Greek Freak" remains torn between his desire to finish his career in Milwaukee and his hunger for another championship, the organization has finally engaged in preliminary talks with suitors, signaling a shift from their previous "untouchable" stance.
The market for the two-time MVP is, predictably, robust. The Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat have reportedly placed aggressive offers on the table, leveraging a combination of young stars and draft capital that could jumpstart a Milwaukee rebuild. Even the Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off the Harden acquisition, are rumored to be monitoring the situation, hoping to form a superteam in the East.
However, the consensus among league insiders suggests a deal today remains a long shot. Most experts predict that Milwaukee will hold onto their franchise icon through the deadline, preferring to revisit the situation in the offseason when bidders have more flexibility and the emotional weight of a mid-season exit is less acute. Yet, in a deadline week defined by the unexpected—including Jaren Jackson Jr.’s move to Utah—ruling out a buzzer-beater would be foolish.
For the next few hours, the entire NBA ecosystem is paralyzed by one question. If Milwaukee pulls the trigger, the power balance of the league shifts instantly. If they hold, the drama merely pauses until July. The phones are ringing in Milwaukee, and the world is waiting for an answer.
As the clock ticks down, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves at a franchise-altering crossroads. Despite Antetokounmpo’s repeated public declarations of loyalty to the city that drafted him, the team’s on-court struggles and an aging roster have forced the front office to survey the market. Sources indicate that while the "Greek Freak" remains torn between his desire to finish his career in Milwaukee and his hunger for another championship, the organization has finally engaged in preliminary talks with suitors, signaling a shift from their previous "untouchable" stance.
The market for the two-time MVP is, predictably, robust. The Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat have reportedly placed aggressive offers on the table, leveraging a combination of young stars and draft capital that could jumpstart a Milwaukee rebuild. Even the Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off the Harden acquisition, are rumored to be monitoring the situation, hoping to form a superteam in the East.
However, the consensus among league insiders suggests a deal today remains a long shot. Most experts predict that Milwaukee will hold onto their franchise icon through the deadline, preferring to revisit the situation in the offseason when bidders have more flexibility and the emotional weight of a mid-season exit is less acute. Yet, in a deadline week defined by the unexpected—including Jaren Jackson Jr.’s move to Utah—ruling out a buzzer-beater would be foolish.
For the next few hours, the entire NBA ecosystem is paralyzed by one question. If Milwaukee pulls the trigger, the power balance of the league shifts instantly. If they hold, the drama merely pauses until July. The phones are ringing in Milwaukee, and the world is waiting for an answer.
