Throughout the season, the possibility of Giannis Antetokounmpo requesting a trade away from the struggling Milwaukee Bucks and toward a title contender dominated the conversation around the Bucks' season. 

Antetokounmpo ended up staying with the Bucks after the deadline after all, but that doesn't mean that the possibility of a trade is off the table. 

The Bucks will be trying to rebuild their roster this season, primarily in an attempt to keep Antetokounmpo happy with the team.

But deciding to part ways with their franchise star altogether could be a huge leap to turning the team around, especially with Antetokounmpo up for free agency after next season if he turns down his player option.

The Orlando Magic just finished giving the Detroit Pistons a run for their money and even if it ended in a series defeat for Orlando, the 8-seed taking the 1-seed to seven games is a huge sign for what the Magic are capable of. 

With such a young and talented roster, the Magic have a lot of capital at their disposal that could entice the Bucks to parting ways with their superstar. 

A package of Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane and a 2031 pick could be the kind of deal that that helps Milwaukee jump off, especially adding Banchero as a young physical option to help supplement the physicality that would be lost with Antetokounmpo's departure. 

When trade rumors first came about during the 2025-26 season, the New York Knicks shot to the top of most speculations regarding Antetokounmpo's landing spot. If the Greek star is looking join a title contender, the Knicks are one of the best options in the east as the way their roster is currently structured, he could slot right in.

In this scenario, the Knicks could propose a center-swap between Antetokounmpo and Karl-Anthony Towns. Such equivalent players would likely mean that the Knicks would have to offer up draft picks to sweeten the deal, with their 2030 first-round pick and two second-round picks in 2027 as options.

Towns provides some stability around a rebuilding Bucks roster that trends increasingly younger while the Knicks stay strong at their center position while upgrading with the explosiveness of Antetokounmpo. 

A recent report from HoopsWire has suggested that the Houston Rockets are gearing up to be major contenders in a potential Antetokounmpo sweepstakes this offseason. 

The Rockets were sent home by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, but with impressive showings from their young cast, the Rockets have a lot of promise that they could use as leverage in a trade that could create a superstar duo in Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant. 

Alperen Sengun would have to headline any package for Antetokounmpo. Adding more young players in Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard fosters the kind of youth movement the Bucks are looking for and frees up cap space that the Rockets would need to accommodate Antetokounmpo's contract.