Could Giannis Antetokounmpo Be Traded To The Dallas Mavericks?

(Photo By Jeff Haynes/GettyImages).

Giannis Antetokounmpo. An NBA superstar and the face of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise since being drafted in 2013. A one-time MVP and a one-time NBA champion with the Bucks. Antetokounmpo has been one of the best draft picks of all time after being selected with the 15th pick.

Last season, despite being a down year for the Bucks, the Greek Freak was his usual self, competing for the league's most valuable player award, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 67 games played. Antetokounmpo has also been a large part of the league’s most prolific scoring duo, alongside Damian Lillard. However, since the acquisition of Lillard, it has not exactly gone to plan in Milwaukee – the Eastern Conference team have not even gone close to a championship.

Antetokounmpo seemed set to spend his entire career in Bucks green, but following a first-round exit for the third consecutive season, the future of the Greek power forward seems to be in doubt.

The noise around the name of Antetokounmpo is continuing to rise, but time will only tell whether the 30-year-old wants a fresh start.

But, as speculation builds, here are some of the possible scenarios for Antetokounmpo in the off-season.

Stay Loyal To The East?

In the current landscape of the NBA, it is very hard to predict which team is going to come out of the West next season. Currently topped by the young and talented Shai Gilgeous Alexander-led Thunder, followed by a hungry Ime Udoka Rockets, who could trade for Kevin Durant in this off-season, and then even at the bottom are teams with high potential after Tuesday evening’s antics – the Dallas Mavericks having won the rights to add Cooper Flagg to their roster. Additionally, winners like Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, Lebron James, and Stephen Curry also fill out the Western Conference. For Giannis, it is hard to understand why he would move to the West, despite the San Antonio Spurs being the favourites to land the 30-year-old.

On the other hand, if Antetokounmpo is to move, which currently seems likely, the teams in the Eastern Conference need to create intriguing packages. Currently seen as the favourites, the Brooklyn Nets are reportedly a team that could tempt the power forward, with the opportunity to live in New York, an intriguing factor. But the Nets did not have a good 2025, with the Brooklyn-based team yet to recover and re-find themselves since the days of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden in black. The acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo would offer that opportunity – the chance to re-establish themselves as a threat in New York and the East.

However, to get the Greek Freak, you need to tempt the Bucks, and that is where the Nets may struggle. After trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks in last summer’s off-season, one thing that the Nets do have is a treasure chest worth of first-round picks. Five first-round picks were acquired, and while the Bucks might not be able to gain a superstar in return for theirs, they would be able to quickly begin to rebuild and create a young core that could build together for several years. A potential trade between the two franchises could see Nicolas Claxton, and Cam Johnson sent to the Bucks, alongside the Bucks’ first round pick in this year’s draft that was traded away (19), and the pick in the draft, one of the Knicks or 76ers pick in 2027 in return for Antetokounmpo.

Dallas’ Intriguing Trade

Package

(Photo By Michael Reaves/GettyImages).

The next team that could be in the market for the superstar is the Mavericks – the most unpredictable team in the NBA. After trading away Luka Doncic, the Mavericks have been a mess, losing Kyrie Irving to an Achilles injury, missing out on the playoffs after losing in the play-in, and having their fans turn on the franchise. However, following the extraordinary 2025 NBA Draft, Jason Kidd’s basketball club have the chance to draft an elite defensive talent in Cooper Flagg. But that is also what makes the Mavericks a possible landing spot for Antetokounmpo.

The number one pick in the 2025 draft, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and Oliver-Maxence Prosper could be enough to tempt Antetokounmpo to the Mavericks, with the possibility of a third team also being involved in a trade for the power forward. The addition of the one-time MVP could be perfect for Jason Kidd, with Nico Harrison seemingly being in ‘win-now’ mode and valuing his defense, which Giannis can provide, alongside emphatic offensive numbers. By adding Antetokounmpo, the Mavericks also become a major threat in the West, gluing together a potential legendary duo in Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. On the other hand, the Milwaukee Bucks have their instant rebuild, drafting Flagg with the first pick, and then in the years to come, create a team centered around him.

Other Options

There is not a single team in the NBA that wouldn’t want Giannis Antetokounmpo, and while many of the league’s contenders will not be able to add the Greek forward due to cap, Antetokounmpo could be added to several teams and turn them into a contender. The Houston Rockets are a possible suitor, last season’s second seed in the Western Conference before losing to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. With fantastic young players like Amen Thompson and Alpren Sengun, the Rockets could easily become a force in the NBA.

Also in Texas, the San Antonio Spurs are a team on the rise, led by a generational superstar in Victor Wembanyama, as the Spurs continue to add exciting talents after drafting Stephon Castle in the 2024 NBA Draft and now look likely to select Dylan Harper with the second pick in 2025. The Spurs have plenty of different options and picks that could tempt the Bucks into a trade, and if Antetokounmpo was to become a San Antonio Spur by the start of next season, we could see a dynasty.

Last, but not least, Antetokounmpo could also remain a Buck and wait for the recovery of Lillard from an Achilles injury to attempt a final shot at the Larry O’Brien trophy. But, as the Conference Finals of the playoffs are around the corner, it is looking increasingly likely that the future of the Bucks' superstar could be in the trade market, with the possibilities of a dynasty being created.