Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: Ranking Heat, Celtics, Blazers, Timberwolves as potential destinations
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Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: Ranking Heat, Celtics, Blazers, Timberwolves as potential destinations originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA Finals weren't even over yet before the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors kicked back into gear. Now that there are no games remaining, the focus has fully shifted to where the Bucks star will land.
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It seems almost guaranteed that Antetokounmpo will be moved at some point between now and the NBA draft, taking place on June 23. The major prediction markets have his odds of staying with the Bucks at somewhere between six and 12 percent.
Nobody knows what the exact packages are for the Bucks, given that teams are still negotiating with General Manager Jon Horst. But we have an idea based on what teams are the most interested, what assets are available, and what works under the salary cap rules.
We also know a little bit about Milwaukee's incentives. It makes sense for them to want to stay somewhat competitive rather than tank given the new lottery rules which punish the bottom three teams in the league. And unless they make a multi-team trade involving Portland, which is a possibility, they won't control their first-round picks through 2030 anyway.
In short, Milwaukee will probably want to get some players who can contribute to winning right away, because they will have few avenues to dig themselves out of the very bottom if they sink that far. Giannis also has some leverage given that he is extension-eligible with one guaranteed year left on his current contract. His new team will want him to sign a longer-term deal once he is moved.
Given those considerations, here are offers that make the most sense right now.
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Ranking Giannis Antetokounmpo trade destinations
1. Celtics
Multiple reputable reports have indicated that the Celtics have recently thrown their hat into the ring for Giannis, including Bill Simmons and Marc Stein. The centerpiece for a trade would be Jaylen Brown, who could theoretically be re-routed to a third team.
The Celtics have the assets to get this deal done. They can move up to four future first-round picks to move on draft night, including the No. 27 pick this year. Some combination of those picks, Brown, and some other young prospects would form a package that is better than the one the Heat can offer.
Would it be worth it for Boston, or would it be an overreaction to last year's disappointing first-round elimination? The fit does make sense, and the Celtics would have to be the Finals favorite out of the East with Giannis and Jayson Tatum. They would finally have some consistent rim pressure, which has been their downfall in disappointing playoff exits.
A Giannis trade would shorten Boston's window. They would be getting two years older and be trading for a player that has had more health issues. But Giannis is a significantly better version of Brown. This is the trade that makes the most sense for both sides.
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2. Heat
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Giannis has been focused on wanting to join the Heat. The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm reported that the most recent Heat package included Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., either Pelle Larsson or Kasparas Jakučionis and up to three first-round picks including this year's No. 13 pick.
That's a strong package that would send Herro back home to his roots in Wisconsin. The Bucks would certainly be getting worse, but this is a good draft where they could get a great player at No. 13 and Herro is almost six years younger than Giannis. Betting against the Heat wouldn't be a bad idea either as their traded picks could end up being great several years from now.
For the Heat, they'd have a terrific defense with Giannis and Bam Adebayo working in tandem. Filling out the rest of the roster might provide challenging though, and it feels like Miami still wouldn't be quite at the level of the Knicks or Celtics.
This trade doesn't make nearly as much sense as the one involving the Celtics, but the Heat seem determined to do it anyway. From Milwaukee's perspective, it's a solid package that they should say yes to if Boston gets cold feet.
3. Blazers
The Blazers are likely to be involved in a Giannis trade, whether it's as a third party or more directly. They control the Bucks' first round picks in 2028, 2029, and 2030. Those are some of the most prized assets for a Milwaukee team that probably isn't going to be all that great once Giannis leaves.
Portland is a plucky team that needs a top-10 player to finish out its roster build. From that aspect, Giannis would be the perfect guy to go and get. The problem is that he only has one guaranteed year remaining, and he has expressed a preference to go to Miami or Boston. If Portland traded the world to get him and he left after only one season, it would be a disaster.
That makes the Blazers a dark horse as a landing spot for Giannis but a team that's very likely to get something back such as Brown from the Celtics should a three-team trade occur.
4. Timberwolves
There hasn't been as much chatter involving the Timberwolves, but they have the assets to get something done. Amick and Nehm reported the Bucks would be seeking a package involving Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Minnesota's two tradeable first-round picks on draft night.
There are several reasons why this is the most unlikely trade on this list. First, that package doesn't match the ones that the Celtics or Heat can put together. And second, McDaniels is such a linchpin for the Wolves that it would be hard to see him leaving. Giannis is certainly a better player, but McDaniels was a playoff riser this past season who provides elite defense and is still only 25 years old.
It could certainly happen, but the odds of this one getting across the finish line are low.