The Milwaukee Bucks are actively responding to trade interest for Giannis Antetokounmpo, league insider Shams Charania reported Sunday.
“Over the weekend, the Bucks remain engaged with NBA teams that have interest and given aggressive proposals,” Charania said, noting that Milwaukee has submitted counteroffers to those bids.
The Heat, Timberwolves, Warriors, and Knicks have emerged as the most serious suitors, according to Charania. “It all comes down to price point for him… a young player or a surplus of draft picks who meets that mark,” he explained.
Charania highlighted the timing pressure as the trade deadline approaches Thursday. “The Bucks have to manage at risk or reward whether you do a deal now or wait for offseason when Giannis only has one year left,” he said.
Golden State has reportedly made a blockbuster push for the forward, with Stephen Curry as the lone untouchable piece on the roster, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported Saturday.
Curry is averaging 27.2 points per game on 46.8 percent shooting and nearly 40 percent from three, but the Warriors’ front office is exploring trades to pair him with Antetokounmpo and extend their championship window.
Salary considerations complicate a deal. Draymond Green’s $25.8 million contract is one of the few realistic trade pieces, while Jimmy Butler’s $54.1 million salary matches Giannis’ pay but presents additional constraints.
On the court, Antetokounmpo remains dominant, averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 64.5 percent shooting. Despite his production, the Bucks sit 12th in the Eastern Conference at 18-29.
Charania noted that the final decision may hinge on Milwaukee’s evaluation of short-term versus long-term control. “Giannis… has one year left, that gives him even more control to figure out and dictate his future in the offseason,” he said.
The league is watching closely, with the trade deadline looming and multiple teams vying for a transformative roster move. The Bucks’ counteroffers signal they remain intent on extracting maximum value if a deal occurs before Thursday.
