RealGM Basketball Wiretap

18 May 2026

• Wolves Likely To Re-Engage On Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade

  In the wake of falling the second round of the playoffs to the San Antonio Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to look at upgrading their roster. The Wolves are looking to put themselves on the level of the Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder as contenders in the Western Conference.

  One thing Minnesota may look into is re-engaging on trade talks for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Timberwolves and Bucks reportedly discussed a potential Antetokounmpo earlier this year, but thing never got very far. Milwaukee is expected to more seriously entertain offers for the star forward this offseason.

  The Wolves have at least two first-round draft picks they could offer in trade for Antetokounmpo. Minnesota also has some large salaries attached to frontcourt players that they could move in a deal.

• NBA Executives Increasingly Expect Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade As Bucks Signal Desire To Move On

  After years of speculation, the belief around the NBA has shifted with the expectation that the Milwaukee Bucks will trade Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. League insiders at the draft combine in Chicago described the Bucks as a franchise ready to move on after several disappointing playoff runs and the limbo of Antetokounmpo's status throughout the 2025-26 season.

  "It just feels like they're done with the circus, more than anything," an Eastern Conference executive said. "They seem to want a clean break and to move on."

  Co-owner Jimmy Haslam set the June 23-24 NBA draft as a target deadline for resolution. Milwaukee's front office must choose between rebuilding through a trade or retaining Antetokounmpo and improving around him. The belief around the league is that if Antetokounmpo remains on the roster when he becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension on October 1, he will sign it.

  Antetokounmpo has one season remaining on his contract plus a player option. Recent history shows that star players in similar situations typically influence their own trade destination, affecting their overall value to acquiring teams.

  The deals sending Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs to the Toronto Raptors in 2018 and Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019 serve as the modern blueprint. Both reshuffled the league's balance of power and produced championships for the acquiring franchises.

  The NBA's proposed lottery reform adds another variable. Teams in Chicago expect the league to approve a new "3-2-1" system this month, giving up to 18 franchises a realistic shot at the top pick. How that affects Antetokounmpo's trade market remains unclear as some executives predict teams will be less likely to trade future picks due to the more even odds.

  "If someone can get Giannis, they might win the offseason," an East executive said. "For all the distractions and injuries over the last few years, he remains a top-five player in his prime, and those guys aren't available often. That's why this matters so much."

• Myles Turner Reveals Lack Of Discipline Under Doc Rivers, Singles Out Giannis For Chronic Tardiness

  Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner publicly criticized the team's lack of discipline under former coach Doc Rivers, singling out Giannis Antetokounmpo for habitual tardiness during their disappointing 32-50 season. Turner made the remarks on the "Game Recognize Game" podcast with New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart.

  "Guys were late all the time," said Turner. "Guys were showing up to film whenever they wanted to show up. Guys were missing meetings. It was one of the craziest things I personally ever experienced."

  Turner identified Antetokounmpo as the primary offender when Stewart asked who was most frequently late.

  "Giannis. Giannis is going to show up whenever he wants, really," said Turner. "I think that this kind of just came with the territory that -- and once I saw what was going down, I was like, 'Hey man, more power to you. They ain't going to fine you. S---, do what you do.'"

  The pattern extended to team travel. Turner said players routinely arrived an hour late to flights, eventually prompting him to adjust his own schedule accordingly.

  Rivers was dismissed April 13 following Milwaukee's first losing season in nine years. ESPN had previously reported a season-long rift between Rivers and the roster, including low-effort practices and a tense team meeting in March.

  Turner, who signed a four-year, $108.9 million deal from the Indiana Pacers last offseason, contrasted the experience with his previous stops.

  "Any other team I've been on, guys got fined. And there was a sense of order and a sense of understanding," said Turner. "But I personally did not experience that last year for the first time in my career. So we'll see what Taylor Jenkins does, our new coach."

  The Bucks hired former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins to replace Rivers. Meanwhile, Milwaukee is actively seeking trade offers for Antetokounmpo, with co-owner Jimmy Haslam setting the June 23-24 NBA draft as a target deadline for resolution.

• NBA Clears Bucks After Investigation Into Giannis Antetokounmpo's Late-Season Absence

  The NBA has concluded its investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks regarding the late-season shutdown of Giannis Antetokounmpo and determined no further action is warranted. The league launched its probe in early April after conflicting accounts emerged from the player and the franchise.

  Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee on March 15 and did not appear again for Milwaukee during the regular season. The two-time MVP stated repeatedly that he was healthy enough to return but that the team refused to medically clear him. The Bucks told the league they did not believe Antetokounmpo genuinely wanted to play.

  Central to the dispute was a 3-on-3 scrimmage requirement as part of the knee injury return protocol. Milwaukee told investigators Antetokounmpo declined to participate. Antetokounmpo disputed that account directly with league officials.

  "From my understanding, coming back to play, which I don't think I ever had any return-to-play protocol, but to my understanding was I had to play 3-on-3 to be able to be available to play," Antetokounmpo said at his end-of-season news conference. "I did that multiple times. I've never in my life denied participation of practice."

  The closed investigation does little to resolve Antetokounmpo's standing with the franchise. Sources told ESPN that Milwaukee is actively soliciting trade offers for the star forward heading into the offseason.

  Among some of the reasons why Antetokounmpo was frustrated by the Bucks' decision was him missing a bonus as part of his Nike contract tied to playing in at least 41 games.

• Taylor Jenkins Signed Six-Year Contract To Coach Bucks

  While the Milwaukee Bucks immediate focus has reportedly turned to collecting offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team did recently fill their head coach opening. Milwaukee hired Taylor Jenkins to be their next coach. The deal with Jenkins is now reported to be for six years. The Athletic previously reported that Jenkins is making more than $10 million per season.

  NBA coach contracts generally include a final-season team option. Giving Jenkins a likely five-year deal shows a commitment to the new coach for the long-term.

  Jenkins did not coach in the NBA last season, after being let go near the end of the 2024-25 season by the Memphis Grizzlies. In nearly six years as the Grizzlies coach, Jenkins went 250-214 in the regular season and led the team to three playoff appearances.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Expected To Decline Long-Term Commitment To Bucks

  Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to decline the opportunity to make a long-term commitment to the Milwaukee Bucks when the two sides meet in the coming weeks, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Milwaukee has begun reengaging other franchises on a potential trade for the star forward.

  Antetokounmpo has one guaranteed year remaining on his contract, giving him considerable leverage over his next destination. The Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams expected to pursue him.

  "Any conversation that the Bucks are going to have with Giannis Antetokounmpo, from my understanding, is going to be a very simple one: 'Do you want to stay here long-term and commit long-term in June?'" Charania said on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday.

  "The answer, from all accounts, is going to be 'no.' And at that point, the question is going to be: where does Giannis want to go? Where does he want to play for and commit long-term? Because he's got just one guaranteed year left on his deal. You guys know this; especially in the NBA, that gives a player of this caliber a ton of leverage-a ton of sway on where he ends up."

  Milwaukee has not formally ruled out retaining Antetokounmpo and plans to consult him directly. The conversations are expected to unfold over the next several weeks.

  General manager Jon Horst spent the past decade building around Antetokounmpo, trading for Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard before executing the largest stretch-and-waive in NBA history on Lillard's $113 million contract. Milwaukee then committed $108 million to Myles Turner.

  "They did that all to try to win around Giannis. The reality has been setting in, though, for the Bucks," Charania said. "We'll see over the next six weeks."

  A resolution is expected by the NBA draft on June 23rd. Antetokounmpo can sign a four-year, $275 million extension in October that he would surely need to commit to in June in order to remain with the Bucks.

• Jon Horst Says Bucks Continue To Be Open To Path Of Keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo

  Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst confirmed Sunday that the franchise is actively pursuing two separate paths simultaneously of either trading Giannis Antetokounmpo or building a title contender around him. A decision is expected before the NBA Draft on June 23-24.

  "Both paths are very alive for us," Horst said. "We'll explore and learn a lot in the coming weeks as to what the benefit for the organization will be."

  ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday that the Bucks are actively listening to trade offers on Antetokounmpo as they did ahead of the trade deadline.

  The Bucks held their position at No. 10 in Sunday's draft lottery after entering with outside odds at a top-four selection. Horst said the pick could serve either path, whether used to develop a young player alongside Antetokounmpo or packaged as trade capital to acquire veteran talent.

  Milwaukee has used first-round picks aggressively in the past to pursue contention, acquiring Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard in separate blockbuster deals. Horst confirmed the franchise's two additional tradeable first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, remain available as well.

  Co-owner Jimmy Haslam set an informal deadline earlier this week, telling reporters a resolution on Antetokounmpo's future should come before the draft. Horst pushed back gently on that framing Sunday.

  "That is a deadline because it's a draft, and a lot of those trades happen," Horst said. "For us, it's really about just having a great offseason and keeping both paths open."

  Sunday's lottery offered little clarity on the trade market. The Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat, two franchises previously linked to Antetokounmpo, did not move up. The Brooklyn Nets, which holds enough picks to construct a major trade package, fell to sixth despite strong odds at the top selection.

  Horst and the Bucks front office begin combine meetings in Chicago this week, with Antetokounmpo's future at the center of every conversation.

• Bucks Actively Fielding Trade Offers For Giannis Antetokounmpo

  The Milwaukee Bucks are accepting trade offers for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, with ownership expecting a resolution before the NBA Draft on June 23-24, league and team sources told ESPN. The franchise is maintaining its asking price of a young blue-chip talent and or a surplus of future draft picks.

  "Sometime over the next six or seven weeks we'll decide whether Giannis is going to sign a max contract and stay with us or he's going to play somewhere else," co-owner Jimmy Haslam said Wednesday. "And Jon and Taylor, along with Wes and myself, will make that call and we understand the gravity of that call."

  Nothing has changed in Antetokounmpo's position that the time has come for both sides to part ways, sources said. The 31-year-old first signaled an openness to leaving Milwaukee last May around the 2025 draft lottery and combine, and later expressed a specific desire to join the New York Knicks last summer before those talks stalled.

  The Bucks finished 32-50 this past season, missing the postseason for the first time in nine years. Antetokounmpo appeared in only 36 games due to groin, calf and knee injuries, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists.

  Milwaukee holds up to three tradeable first-round picks and tradeable contracts including Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma to use in potential deals. The Bucks are also leaving open the possibility of pursuing a significant trade to convince Antetokounmpo to remain.

  Several prominent suitors received their lottery positions Sunday. The Golden State Warriors landed the No. 11 pick and the Miami Heat received No. 13, solidifying potential trade packages. Sources identified the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers as additional interested parties.

  "The conversation will be simple: Where does Giannis want to be moved and where will he sign long term?" one source with direct involvement told ESPN.

  Antetokounmpo becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension on October 1 if he remains in Milwaukee, or six months after any trade is completed.

• 2026 NBA Draft Lottery: Wizards At No. 1, Ahead Of Jazz, Grizzlies, Bulls

  The Washington Wizards, who had the best odds at 14 percent, have won the lottery and the No. 1 overall pick. The Utah Jazz will hold the No. 2 pick ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3 and the Chicago Bulls at No. 4.

  The Indiana Pacers were fifth and must convey their selection to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade at the deadline.

  The top four picks are expected to be some combination of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. The 2026 draft has also became touted for its depth, especially at guard with the likes of Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr. and Brayden Burries.

  Out of all the teams in the lottery, the Jazz were most tightly connected to Dybantsa who has surpassed Peterson on many teams draft boards. But the Wizards will dictate how the draft plays out as they have a challenging decision to make at No. 1. The Wizards made a pair of trades for veteran All-Stars this season in Trae Young and then Anthony Davis.

  The Wizards previously won the lottery in 2001 (Kwame Brown) and 2010 (John Wall). The Jazz had never previously moved up in the draft lottery.

  2026 NBA Draft Lottery Results

  1. Washington Wizards
  2. Utah Jazz
  3. Memphis Grizzlies
  4. Chicago Bulls
  5. Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana Pacers)
  6. Brooklyn Nets
  7. Sacramento Kings
  8. Atlanta Hawks
  9. Dallas Mavericks
  10. Milwaukee Bucks
  11. Golden State Warriors
  12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers)
  13. Miami Heat
  14. Charlotte Hornets

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Believed To Want To Play For Eastern Conference Title Contender

  This summer, teams are expected to be lining up their best trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Several teams who have been eliminated from playoff contention have already shown interest in acquiring Antetokounmpo or reportedly could make a run at the Milwaukee Bucks superstar.

  That list includes Western Conference teams like the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers. However, Antetokounmpo is believed to prefer to play for an Eastern Conference team that is a title contender.

  That could make teams like the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat or the Toronto Raptors contenders to land Antetokounmpo. The New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves or Cleveland Cavaliers could also get involved if their playoff runs end earlier than desired.

  Antetokounmpo can become a free agent in 2027, which gives him a degree of leverage to control his destination.