Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo could be dealt in a trade before the Feb. 6 deadline with four NBA teams seriously interested in a blockbuster deal.

Antetokounmpo only signed a three-year, $186 million extension with the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 23, 2023, but his pursuit for another NBA championship could see him leave the franchise that drafted him 15th overall in 2013. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the New York Knicks were one of the frontrunners to land Antetokounmpo before landing Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, Stein also revealed that several rival times have questioned whether the Towns trade was made so he could be dealt for Antetokounmpo down the line. “Golden State (Warriors) and Miami (Heat) were well-known to be in a serious state of readiness/anticipation to try to pursue Antetokounmpo before he signed his first extension in December 2020,” Stein wrote.

“Rest assured that their respective interest has not dimmed. Then there is New York. I’ve heard more than one rival team since the trade, mind you, wonder aloud about whether having a player of Towns’ caliber on the roster for a potential future Antetokounmpo offer was among the Knicks’ motivations for giving in on their long-held reluctance to include Donte DiVincenzo.”

CBS Sports has also reported that the Brooklyn Nets are interested in Antetokounmpo, and an unnamed executive has confirmed that either Brooklyn or Miami are Giannis’ preferred trade destinations. Antetokounmpo is contracted until 2028 – although the Greek forward has a player option for the 2027-28 season – but Milwaukee’s slow start to the season has made an imminent trade a serious possibility.

Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years during the 2020-21 season, beating the Phoenix Suns in six during the NBA Finals. The two-time MVP has made it clear that he wants to pursue another championship, but the Bucks are 1-6 to start the season.

The Bucks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs last season after finishing third in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee traded for Damian Lillard in October 2023, but so far, the new pairing hasn’t made a postseason impact.

Giannis wants to win another NBA championship after lifting his first and only title in 2021.

Giannis wants to win another NBA championship after lifting his first and only title in 2021. ( 

Image:

2024 Getty Images)

Trading for Antetokounmpo would have appeared impossible when he signed a five-year extension worth $228 million in 2020 and even more so after the Bucks won the NBA championship in 2021. But rather than repeat their success, the Bucks haven’t made it past the second round since and have suffered consecutive first-round exits.

“Yeah, if we don’t win a championship, I might get traded,” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic. “This is the job we live. This is the world we’re living in. It’s everybody. At any given moment, if you don’t succeed, that might be it for us. … If you don’t do a good enough job, you’re out.”

Antetokounmpo’s willingness to pursue a title elsewhere could see him get dealt, especially as the Bucks have limited financial freedom. A deal could work for both parties, but interested teams must be able to accommodate Antetokounmpo’s large cap hit.