The Milwaukee Bucks may be nearing the end of an era with their franchise cornerstone.
After more than a decade in Milwaukee, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo appears closer than ever to leaving the only NBA franchise he has ever known.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported on January 28 that Antetokounmpo is "ready for a new home" and that the Bucks are now "starting to listen" to offers from rival teams just days before the February 5 trade deadline.
According to Charania, the nine-time All-Star has been telling the Bucks organization for months that he believes it is time to part ways after 13 years together, a run that includes bringing Milwaukee its first championship in 50 years back in 2021.
The 31-year-old forward is currently sidelined with a calf strain with no timetable to return, which makes the situation even more complicated for a team that has gone just 3-11 without him this season.
Who Wants Giannis?
Charania named four teams as "strong suitors" for Antetokounmpo: the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Knicks have long been considered his preferred destination, with reports indicating Antetokounmpo told at least one Bucks teammate last summer that he believed a trade to New York was close.
The Warriors represent an intriguing option since they could offer up to four first-round picks along with young talent like Jonathan Kuminga.
For Miami, the Heat's solid season has encouraged them to explore the possibility of adding a superstar, with second-year center Kel'el Ware serving as a potential sweetener.
What Milwaukee Wants in Return
The Bucks are not in a rush to make a move and have made it clear they want a massive haul in return.
One general manager told Jake Fischer that Milwaukee is "asking for the moon," demanding "all of your young players and all of your draft picks" from interested teams.
Milwaukee has indicated they want either a blue-chip young talent or a surplus of draft picks before pulling the trigger and are willing to wait until the offseason if those demands are not met.
Deadline Deal or Summer Move?
While several teams are making aggressive offers, a deadline deal remains far from certain due to the complications surrounding Antetokounmpo's contract.
He is locked into the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons thanks to the three-year, $186 million extension he signed in 2023, and he will become eligible for a four-year, $275 million supermax extension on October 1.
Any team that trades for him would need to send Milwaukee at least $43.5 million in salary and would want assurances that he is committed long term, making this one of the most complex trade scenarios in recent memory.
The Bucks currently sit at 18-28 and 11th in the Eastern Conference, a far cry from the championship contender that Antetokounmpo was promised when the team signed Myles Turner last summer.
With the deadline just days away, the entire NBA is watching to see if Milwaukee will finally pull the trigger or wait until summer for the right deal.