RealGM Basketball Wiretap

11 June 2026

• Bucks Could Wait On Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Until After Finals In Case Knicks Reenter Talks

  The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to resolve the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo by the draft, but they could be waiting on a possible trade until after the Finals in case the New York Knicks decide to reenter trade conversations. The Knicks and Bucks held brief trade talks last offseason when Antetokounmpo signaled a preference to be traded to New York. The conversations at that point never progressed to the point of seriousness.

  The Knicks were considered fully out of the trade talks when going up 2-0 behind strong play of Karl-Anthony Towns, but it is unpredictable how they might react to the disappointment if they do not win the championship this season.

  The Miami Heat are currently considered the favorites to acquire Antetokounmpo, but their offer is beatable by several potential bidders that have so far been on the sidelines.

  When the Knicks and Bucks held talks, Mikal Bridges was one of the potential trade pieces that was ineligible to be included due to a recently signed contract extension.

  The Knicks can trade up to two first round picks and three swaps on draft night.

  Antetokounmpo can become a free agent in 2027 and possesses the capacity to influence his next destination should he decide to apply that leverage.

• Bucks Expected To Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo Before Draft; Heat Remain Favored Destination

  The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo before the NBA Draft on June 23, according to Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  The team is operating as if it will receive an extra first-round pick in addition to the current No. 10 pick.

  The Bucks also prefer waiting until after the NBA Finals to trade Antetokounmpo as they want to see if the Knicks blow a 2-0 Finals lead and re-enter trade discussions.

  The Heat are said to be on top of Antetokounmpo's list of destinations, though the Celtics are also in play.

  The Bucks are looking to include the Blazers in any multi-team deal to reacquire draft capital from the Damian Lillard trade before the 2023-24 season.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Believed To Prefer Trade To Heat

  The Miami Heat are believed to be the favorites to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo and that is preferred destination this offseason. In the summer of 2025, Antetokounmpo signaled to the Milwaukee Bucks that he wanted to be traded to the New York Knicks, who are now in the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs without him.

  "The team to watch here is Miami," said Brian Windhorst on Monday's episode of Get Up. "Giannis, I think, wants to be in Miami."

  The Boston Celtics have also been linked with Antetokounmpo with Jaylen Brown being a logical piece as a return, but Windhorst added that the Celtics likely are not trading Brown for Antetokounmpo.

  "Giannis has a seat in the table whether or not they want to admit it or not," said Windhorst.

  Windhorst also confirmed that the expectation around the NBA is that Antetokounmpo will be traded by the draft.

  The Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers have also been linked with Antetokounmpo, but there currently appears to be the most momentum for the Heat.

  The Heat have been trading as the favorites to acquire Antetokounmpo for most of the offseason, according to Polymarket, with a few occasional spikes for the Celtics. As of Monday afternoon, the Heat are above 50 percent to acquire Antetokounmpo.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Concerns About Heat Roster If Traded To Miami

  In a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic gave some insight into Giannis Antetokounmpo's thoughts on a potential trade to the Miami Heat. Amick said that Antetokounmpo has concerns that the Heat won't have enough depth to contend after putting together a trade package to acquire him.

  "The noise is tied to Miami, but there's also some intel, discussion, kind of understanding, that Giannis has questions about what that Miami roster would look like on the other side of a deal," Amick said about the Milwaukee Bucks superstar's worries about the post-trade depth for the Heat. "You don't want to gut your roster and go to the place you're excited to be in and then have a hard time contending for a championship."

  Rumors have the Heat offering a trade package built around Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware and first-round draft picks. Only Bam Adebayo is considered untouchable in a trade for Antetokounmpo.

  Amick added that it is still "very likely" that Antetokounmpo is moved ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft. The first round of the draft is on Tuesday, June 23.

• NBA GMs, Scouts Don't Expect Thunder To Target Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade

  The Oklahoma City Thunder have been speculated as a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitor given their position as a title contender who could put together the most compelling offer to the Milwaukee Bucks without losing too many of their existing pieces.

  There is an argument that Antetokounmpo could be a better counter for the Thunder against Victor Wembanyama given the struggles of Chet Holmgren in the Western Conference Finals. But Holmgren is significantly younger and less expensive than Antetokounmpo.

  "I've got to tell you that no one around the league sees them as a Giannis team," said Zach Lowe on his podcast this week. "Everybody. Every GM, every scout I've talked to would be pretty surprised if they veered in that direction."

  Antetokounmpo is believed to value his chances of competing for a title when considering trade possibilities.

  Lowe echoed reporting from The Athletic this week that the Miami Heat are considered the team most likely to trade for Antetokounmpo though that is far from certain.

  A resolution to Antetokounmpo's future is expected to come by the draft on Tuesday, June 23rd.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Intrigued By Idea Of Joining Celtics

  The Boston Celtics are considered the wild-card possibility in the impending Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. Boston considered making a run at Antetokounmpo ahead of last February's trade deadline. They could re-engage the Milwaukee Bucks in trade talks this summer.

  From Antetokounmpo's standpoint, he's reportedly very intrigued by the prospect of joining the Celtics. In theory, Boston would be able to put together a package for the superstar forward that doesn't remove all of their depth. It's likely that trade package would include Jaylen Brown, possibly in a three-team deal where Brown heads to the third team with young talent and draft picks being routed to the Bucks.

  During the regular season, Antetokounmpo praised Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla for his approach to the game and managing the team. In his postseason media availability, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said that Boston has to find a way to get more scoring opportunities around the basket.

• Heat Seen As Frontrunners For Giannis Antetokounmpo

  Trade rumors continue to swirl around Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the Bucks self-imposed deadline of having clarity by the 2026 NBA Draft being roughly three weeks away, the market for Antetokounmpo may be clarifying a bit.

  The Miami Heat are seen as the frontrunners to land Antetokounmpo if he's traded. Many around the NBA believe that this trade process ultimately ends with the superstar forward landing in Miami. There has been long-standing mutual interest between Antetokounmpo and the Heat.

  Both the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks could be options for Antetokounmpo as well. The Knicks are playing in the NBA Finals, and their interest may have lessened. It's also unclear what approach the Thunder will take to the offseason after falling short in their quest to win back-to-back titles.

  The Portland Trail Blazers have also been mentioned as potential Antetokounmpo suitors. The Trail Blazers control future Bucks first-round picks as a result of the Damian Lillard trade. However, Antetokounmpo would like to stay in the Eastern Conference, which makes a trade to Portland less likely.

• Some Members Of Cavs' Front Office 'Vehemently Against' Trading Evan Mobley For Giannis Antetokounmpo

  The Cleveland Cavaliers have been linked to a possible trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but their front office appears unlikely to be in favor of trading Evan Mobley away in exchange for the two-time MVP. Mobley is easily the Cavaliers' best trade asset if they were to make a significant move in improving their title chances during the Donovan Mitchell era.

  "The Cavs love Mobley, they believe in him and there are multiple members of the Cleveland brain trust that would be vehemently against a Giannis-Mobley swap," wrote Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

  Mobley turns 25 this month, making him six years younger than Antetokounmpo, who has battled injuries over the past few years. Mobley will also make approximately $8 million less next season as the Cavaliers balance second apron issues.

  Koby Altman went on record last week calling Mobley the team's "best player throughout the playoffs."

• Thunder Have Had Interest In Evan Mobley, Unlikely To Trade For Giannis Antetkounmpo

  The Oklahoma City Thunder are unlikely to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, sources told Sam Amick of The Athletic.

  The Thunder have reportedly had interest in Evan Mobley in the past, though the Cavs are insisting that they will not deal Mobley.

  After losing Game 7 to the Spurs on Saturday night, all 15 Thunder players are under contract for next season.

  The Thunder, who recently worked out Nate Ament, are open to trading the No. 17 pick in the upcoming draft.

• Cavs Confident Of Re-Signing James Harden To Multiyear Extension Worth Around $30M Per Season

  The Cleveland Cavaliers are confident that they will be able to re-sign James Harden to a multiyear extension this offseason, sources told Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

  The two sides are likely to agree on a deal around $30 million per season.

  Harden has expressed his desire to return to the Cavs next season.

  The Cavs are also unlikely to be involved in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors this offseason as the team have no interest in trading Evan Mobley.