NBA trade rumors: Bucks have ‘unrealistic’ asking price for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The 2026 NBA Draft It’s lower than per week away, and trade rumors are heating up. All eyes are on the Milwaukee Bucks and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpowho is anticipated to be handled this summer season. At the identical time, quite a few different groups will probably be energetic within the weeks forward.

That consists of the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celticswho completed first and second, respectively, within the Eastern Conference final season, however had disappointing showings within the postseason. Both groups know they should shake issues as much as deal with the reigning champion New York Knicks.

Ahead of the draft and the following free company interval, let’s check out a number of the newest updates on the trade market.

Bucks’ ask for Giannis ‘unrealistic’

The Bucks would favor to maintain Antetokounmpo, but when he makes it clear that he will not signal an extension in October, they’ll trade him fairly than let him stroll in free company for nothing subsequent summer season. And if they’re pressured to trade probably the greatest gamers in franchise historical past, they’re going to need a better return to jumpstart their rebuild.

But according to Jake Fischersome groups suppose the Bucks are asking for an excessive amount of. Here’s his newest on the Antetokounmpo trade talks:

I heard the identical phrase a number of occasions this week when speaking to NBA personnel from groups that have engaged with the Bucks on a possible Antetokounmpo deal. Several sources have conveyed that Milwaukee GM Jon Horst has established particularly formidable asking costs in Giannis talks.

The phrase that retains coming again: “Unrealistic.”

The Bucks naturally need as a lot as they’ll in the event that they’re parting with their Face of the Franchise, so what constitutes unrealistic? Sources say Milwaukee has been asking groups for returns that would depart any membership buying Antetokounmpo too swept to contend for a championship. Which is the exact alternative Giannis is understood to be searching for if he will lastly depart Brewtown after 13 seasons and decide to a long-term contract extension with a brand new workforce.

The Bucks ought to ask for a large return for Antetokounmpo, who, regardless of some accidents in recent times, stays probably the greatest gamers within the NBA. But they could in the end have to simply accept a lesser deal as a result of Antetokounmpo has only one assured 12 months left on his deal, and the market for him is not the identical as it could have been final summer season or two years in the past.

If the Bucks do find yourself buying and selling Antetokounmpo, it will likely be fascinating to see the present return.

NBA trade rumors: Latest on Giannis Antetokounmpo, plus possible backup plans for Celtics, Heat, Wolves

Jasmyn Wimbish

Pistons’ Stewart anticipating to be moved

Isaiah Stewart was probably the greatest backup bigs within the league final season, when he averaged 10 factors, 5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks on 55% capturing. He was one in all a number of Pistons who struggled within the playoffs, nonetheless. He put up simply 4 factors and a pair of.4 rebounds within the postseason and had largely misplaced his spot within the rotation to Paul Reed by the tip of the second spherical collection with the Cleveland Cavalierswhich the Pistons misplaced in seven video games.

The Pistons are anticipated to make huge modifications this summer season after their early exit, and Stewart might be on the transfer. In truth, he is anticipating to depart Detroit, based on Fischer:

League sources say that the Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart just isn’t merely out there however outright bracing for a trade that sends him elsewhere this summer season as a part of any transfer that the Pistons make to bolster their capturing and playmaking depth.

Despite his poor exhibiting within the playoffs, the 25-year-old Stewart will have suitors partially due to his contract, which has two assured years at $15 million per 12 months, together with an inexpensive workforce possibility for 2027-28. Per Fischer, the Bucks, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs have all expressed curiosity in Stewart.

Celtics anticipated to be energetic this summer season

The Celtics are within the combine for Antetokounmpo, but it surely’s unclear if they’re going to be prepared to make that huge of a swing, which might nearly actually require parting methods with franchise pillar Jaylen Brown. Derrick White you have additionally been the topic of rumors. Boston is anticipated to be energetic this summer season, per Fischer.

I already reported on Wednesday night time that Boston has proven curiosity in transferring up from its No. 27 slot within the draft. And whereas I do not imagine that the Celtics are actively shopping for Brown or Derrick White, it is actually believed that they have listened on trade inquires for each key cogs from the title workforce extra intently than ever earlier than.

As for White: It would even be a shock, sources say, if the Celtics lower ties with him. The 31-year-old is a beloved member of the group on prime of the truth that his two-way backcourt work has put him in annual All-Star competition as a Celtic.

Everyone anticipated final season to be a “gap year” for the Celtics. But regardless of shedding Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and Al Horford and taking part in the primary 62 video games with out Jayson Tatumthey gained 56 video games and completed second within the Eastern Conference. They blew a 3-1 lead within the first spherical of the playoffs to the Philadelphia 76ersnonetheless, which led president Brad Stevens to name for an “honest assessment” of the roster.

“Our margin for error needs to get bigger, and at the same time, I don’t think we’re, like, way far away,” Stevens said in May. “But we’ve lived it here. Again, this is where the honest assessment part has got to come in, right? We’ve been to six Eastern Conference finals, a couple Finals in the last few years. We’ve won one. And when you get beat in the first round, you’re not there. …

“You have to think about the opposite groups which are at these ranges, and I believe the opposite factor that you simply have to think about, particularly for subsequent 12 months, is there have been a number of groups within the NBA that have been taking part in for draft positioning this 12 months,” Stevens continued. “That will not be the case subsequent 12 months. So, the league’s gonna be lots higher. The common season might be lots tougher, and it’ll most likely offer you a greater indication of what all people actually is.”