Potential playoff suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Why the Bucks could be postseason’s big winners

The Milwaukee Bucks never really had any intention of trading Giannis Antetokounmpo at the NBA’s trade deadline in February, if only because so many of his suitors could sweeten their offers with more draft picks come the offseason.

Not only that, but the playoffs have a way of exposing teams for who they are, revealing the emperor’s clothes, showing exactly how far away they really are from contending with a team like the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

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We’re not even through the first round of the playoffs, and already there is significant development. Some surprising teams can convince themselves now that they are an Antetokounmpo away from title contention. Likewise, some pretenders who thought they might not need Antetokounmpo now require a serious roster shakeup.

Let’s take a look at some of the potential playoff suitors.

First round: Trail Blazers lost to the San Antonio Spurs 4-1

According to The Oregonian’s Bill Oram, the Blazers “are prepared to make a pitch” for Antetokounmpo’s services if he is willing to sign a long-term extension in Portland.

A Dame-Giannis reunion in Portland? (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

(Patrick McDermott via Getty Images)

They have a trump card no other team can offer the Bucks: Their own draft picks. Since trading Damian Lillard to Milwaukee in September 2023, Portland holds the rights to the Bucks’ 2029 first-round selection in addition to swaps in 2028 and 2030.

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Of course, the Blazers also have re-signed Lillard, who should return from a ruptured Achilles at the age of 36 next season, and his fit with Antetokounmpo already proved to be awkward in Milwaukee. Likewise, Deni Avdija led the league in drives this year, and his downhill game will come with some redundancy alongside Antetokounmpo.

First round: Hawks trail the New York Knicks 3-2 (Game 6 on Thursday, 7 p.m. ET)

Rich Paul, the agent to Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson, actually proposed a Johnson-for-Antetokounmpo swap on his podcast in January, though it never came to fruition.

“If I’m the Bucks, I’m looking at a young player, high character, high talent,…

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Author : Ben Rohrbach

Publish date : 2026-04-30 15:34:00

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