Heat are in pole position for Giannis Antetokounmpo but the Bucks are in no rush to say yes

Apr 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo enjoys a moment during warmups prior to the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks are listening, multiple teams have made their interest known, and the NBA Draft on June 23 is functioning as the unofficial deadline for a decision that has been building since February.

The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade picture sharpened considerably on Friday with a detailed report from The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm that laid out where things actually stand.

According to Amick and Nehm, the Miami Heat tried to land Antetokounmpo at the February trade deadline, when league sources believed a deal was close before Milwaukee ultimately pulled back.

The Heat are back in earnest, this time with a package that includes Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., either Pelle Larsson or Kasparas Jakučionis, and up to three first-round picks. 

The Bucks, for their part, are not rushing. The report says Milwaukee is currently seeking clarity from several interested parties on what they would actually put on the table before making a final call, which is a different posture than having a deal ready to sign.

Which teams are still in and which ones have dropped out

The field has thinned since the deadline. 

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported last week that the Minnesota Timberwolves no longer factored into talks, but the latest report from Amick and Nehm indicates the Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, and Boston Celtics are all still involved in negotiations

The Celtics' role here is newer and more complicated. Amick and Nehm describe them as a potential "serious threat," and Bill Simmons said on his podcast that Antetokounmpo himself is pushing for Miami or Boston as his two acceptable destinations, with Boston appealing specifically because of the franchise's championship infrastructure.

Whether the Celtics would actually move Jaylen Brown or another centerpiece asset remains the central question around their candidacy.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst, who previously expressed skepticism about Boston's willingness to make the necessary moves, named Miami as the team to watch and went further by saying Antetokounmpo wants it there.

Portland also carries a specific role in Milwaukee's thinking.

The Trail Blazers have interest but are considered more valuable to the Bucks as a third team that could help them recover draft picks lost in the Damian Lillard deal back in 2023.

Antetokounmpo carries a $58.5 million cap hit for 2026-27 and holds a $62.8 million player option for the year after.

The Bucks finished 32-50 this season. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said in May that the pre-draft window was the natural moment for resolution. What more? The window is now eleven days away.

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