Giannis Antetokounmpo's $275 million contract update gives him every reason to want a trade now originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After nearly 13 full seasons together, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are preparing for their partnership to come to an end.
Antetokounmpo is "ready for a new home," according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Bucks, sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference and unlikely to compete for a championship, are listening to offers for their longtime superstar. After years of rumors, a Giannis trade could materialize before the NBA's trade deadline next Thursday.
MORE: Warriors make Giannis Antetokounmpo trade decision as Bucks star prepares to move on
Antetokounmpo is keenly interested in a trade to a contender -- and financially, it makes sense for him to ask for a trade now, instead of waiting for the offseason.
On Tuesday, veteran NBA reporter Tom Haberstroh broke it down. Antetokounmpo can sign a four-year, $275 million maximum contract extension in October. But in order to receive that offer, the two-time MVP has to be traded by the deadline; he needs to have been with his new team for six months in order to be eligible for the extension.
"Giannis can sign a 4-year, $275M extension in October. The issue is, he has to be traded at the deadline in order to be able to sign that extension w/ his new team, b/c you have to be w/ your team for at least 6 months in order to sign that extension in October.” @tomhaberstrohhttps://t.co/7R8I4ivKBipic.twitter.com/PjOoB8St7n
— Dru (@dru_star) January 27, 2026
If Antetokounmpo stays in Milwaukee past the trade deadline and is rendered ineligible for the $275 million contract, he will have one year remaining on his contract and could enter free agency in 2027 if he declines a $62.8 million player option.
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