When the NBA offseason began, teams around the league wondered if All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo would finally request a trade. Following the Milwaukee Bucks’ recent surprise moves, there are even more NBA rumors surrounding his future.
During an appearance on NBA Today, ESPN’s NBA reporter Ramona Shelburne said she doesn’t believe Antetokounmpo will decide whether he wants to request a trade until August, or potentially as late as September.
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- Giannis Antetokounmpo stats (ESPN): 30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.5 APG, 60.1% FG, 1.2 BPG
The timeline certainly makes sense in some respects. Reported suitors for Antetokounmpo, including the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, kept their top trade assets this offseason. This signaled to some around the league that Houston and San Antonio were waiting to see if Antetokounmpo would request a trade later in the offseason.
However, it seems unlikely that the Bucks would sign Myles Turner and then stretch-and-waive Damian Lillard’s contract without having concluded that Antetokounmpo would return next season. Otherwise, Milwaukee would effectively be committing $50-plus million per year to Turner over the next four seasons.
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- Giannis Antetokounmpo contract (Spotrac): $54.125 million cap hit (2025-’26), $56.456 million cap hit (2026-’27), $62.786 million player option in 2027
It’s also worth remembering that, as of a few weeks ago, NBA teams reportedly gave up on the idea of Antetokounmpo requesting a trade. The recent rumors about him potentially deciding he wants out only emerged after the news cycle surrounding Kevin Durant and LeBron James died down.
Considering the stance NBA teams took a few weeks ago and the big gamble by the Bucks’ front office, it’s hard to believe that Antetokounmpo would request a trade two months from now. Of course, this report will fuel NBA rumors for the next two months as the free agency and trade cycle slow down.
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