Jimmy Haslam Sets June 23 Bucks Deadline on Giannis Trade
The bucks are weighing offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Milwaukee co-owner Jimmy Haslam has tied the expected decision to the June 23 NBA Draft. That gives the franchise less than three weeks to sort out whether its two-time NBA MVP stays in Milwaukee or moves before the draft.
Haslam’s June 23 Marker
Haslam set an early May deadline for a decision on Antetokounmpo’s future, then said the June 23 NBA Draft should be the point by which people know whether he will be traded and to where. That puts the Bucks in a narrow window while other teams wait to see whether Milwaukee opens the door wider on its franchise cornerstone.
The club is considering offers for Antetokounmpo, which is why the draft calendar now matters so much. Any deal involving him would shape the rest of Milwaukee’s roster planning in one move, and the timeline leaves little room for a slow market.
Knicks, Miami And Portland
New York is among the teams being discussed in connection with Antetokounmpo, and he showed legitimate interest in playing for the Knicks last summer. Portland is viewed as unlikely because he prefers to play in the East, leaving a shorter list of realistic paths than league chatter might suggest.
Miami remains the destination most people around the league keep circling. The Heat were among the most dogged teams in their pursuit at the trade deadline, and Pat Riley’s club continues to come up as the most common landing spot in the speculation around the Bucks star.
Thunder Trade Assets
Oklahoma City was not expected to pursue Antetokounmpo, even after rival teams wondered whether its stance might change following its failed title defense against San Antonio in the Western Conference finals. The Thunder own 12 first-round picks and 13 second-round picks between 2026 and 2033, along with Nos. 12 and 17 in this year’s draft.
That stockpile would give Oklahoma City the kind of flexibility that usually draws attention in a market like this, but the current read is different. Victor Wembanyama caused problems in the Western Conference finals that Antetokounmpo is uniquely positioned to help solve, while Chet Holmgren struggled throughout the series, a combination that fueled the league-wide speculation even as the Thunder were not expected to chase him.
For the Bucks, the next step is not a vague summer storyline. The next hard marker is the June 23 NBA Draft, and Haslam’s deadline means the trade market around Antetokounmpo is moving on a countdown rather than open-ended debate.
