Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors tracker: Latest news on Knicks, Heat, other potential destinations for Bucks star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After months upon months of speculation and rumors that Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the move, the Milwaukee Bucks finally appear ready to move those talks forward.
With the NBA's trade deadline quickly approaching, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Jan. 28 that Antetokounmpo is "ready for a new home," as Milwaukee is "starting to listen" to offers from other teams for its star big man.
As the Bucks have struggled throughout Antetokounmpo's injury absences this season, the chances of a franchise-altering trade have seemingly been growing. Will Antetokounmpo find a home away from Wisconsin for the first time of his star-studded career?
Here are the latest trade rumors surrounding Antetokounmpo.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors tracker
Bucks' loss to Thunder was 'point of no return' for Antetokounmpo
- Date: Jan. 28
- Source: Jake Fischer
According to Fischer, the Bucks' loss to the Thunder last week, and Antetokounmpo's postgame "frustrations," were viewed as "as a point of no return." From Bucks teammates and other figures, the feeling is that the "writing is on the wall,” for Antetokounmpo, per Fischer.
Knicks will be among teams to make 'aggressive' offer for Antetokounmpo
- Date: Jan. 28
- Source: Ian Begley
New York has already been the top expected destination for Antetokounmpo, reportedly showing interest last summer, but SNY's Ian Begley reports that the Knicks will now be "among teams making aggressive offers" to the Bucks, adding that the Heat will be in the mix.
Antetokounmpo 'ready for a new home,' Bucks willing to listen to offers
- Date: Jan. 28
- Source: Shams Charania
Since the 2025 offseason, rumors have been on-and-off surrounding Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee. At some points, he's made it clear he wants to remain with the Bucks. At others, Charania has reported that Antetokounmpo has shown interest in a trade, and before the 2025-26 season, the Knicks were a reported preferred destination for the Bucks star.
With the trade deadline looming, Charania reported Wednesday that Antetokounmpo is "ready for a new home" and the Bucks are "starting to listen" to offers from other teams. Additionally, other teams have "received a sense that the Bucks are more open than ever to Antetokounmpo offers between now and the deadline."
Charania also reported that the Bucks are not "in a rush" to make a move and could still revisit an Antetokounmpo trade in the offseason. Milwaukee is believed to be pursuing "a blue-chip young talent and/or a surplus of draft picks."
According to Charania, Antetokounmpo has been informing the Bucks "for months" that he believes the time to part ways has come.
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Giannis contract details
Part of the navigation when it comes to a potential Antetokoumpo trade will be his contract. He is locked into the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons thanks to the three-year, $186 million extension he signed in 2023, but he'll then have a player option for the 2027-28 season, per Spotrac.
Antetokounmpo is expected to pursue an extension by the upcoming 2026 offseason — per ESPN, he will be eligible for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through the 2030-31 season on Oct. 1, 2026. However, he'd only be able to sign a contract of that size with a new team six months after a trade.
The calculus of an Antetokounmpo trade is expected to include whether or not a team is willing to give him a long-term extension.
Giannis injury update
Antetokounmpo has been out since Jan. 23 with a calf strain, his second injury of the 2025-26 season. As of Jan. 26, his return date remains "uncertain" after initially being given a 4-6 week timeline.
"There's really no timetable," Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said, per ESPN.
Antetokounmpo had his right calf wrapped in the first half of the Jan. 23 game against Denver, and he said postgame that he felt like he couldn't "explode" and struggled to walk. Previously, he missed time in December for a right calf strain.
Milwaukee has gone just 3-11 without Antetokounmpo playing this season, part of the reason that trade rumors have heated up.
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