The NBA-shattering move involving Luka Dončić at last year’s trade deadline made one thing very clear: No one is untouchable. One player who said that out loud was Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. “It’s a business…nobody is safe,” Antetokounmpo had reportedly said.
In a surprising turn, as this year’s Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches, Antetokounmpo himself stands on the block. For good reason, there is no shortage of interest in acquiring the Greek star, and an NBA insider has added a fresh name to the sweepstakes.
Portland Trail Blazers Are Uniquely Placed in Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Talks
Antetokounmpo trade chatter has been a back-and-forth affair. The two-time MVP himself has declared he would never demand a trade. However, this week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home and that the Bucks have started to listen to several “aggressive offers”.
Now, according to a report by Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Portland Trail Blazers have expressed interest in acquiring the 2021 NBA champion from the Bucks. Interestingly, Stein noted that the Blazers are aware it would be unlikely Antetokounmpo commits there long term.
“Portland has also expressed its own interest to the Bucks that it would like to acquire Antetokounmpo … even as the Blazers realistically understand that it would be an extreme long shot to convince Giannis to sign a contract extension that keeps him in the Pacific Northwest,” Stein wrote. Antetokounmpo is under contract through the 2026-27 season and holds a player option for the 2027-28 season.
The Blazers are interested in trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, per @TheSteinLine
“The Stein Line has learned that Portland has also expressed its own interest to the Bucks that it would like to acquire Antetokounmpo … even as the Blazers realistically understand that it… pic.twitter.com/P9nzncYvwI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 31, 2026
Therefore, Stein speculated that Portland could serve as a facilitator in a multi-team deal in which Antetokounmpo would land elsewhere, while the Blazers would acquire a player to help with their rebuilding efforts.
In a possible scenario, Stein outlined, “Portland has long admired the likes of New York’s Mikal Bridges as a potential backcourt partner alongside Lillard and have a player in Holiday that the Knicks and other teams believe would enhance their chances of getting Antetokounmpo to their franchise if Holiday can also be acquired from Portland.”
Notably, the Blazers hold significant leverage. They control the Bucks’ first-round draft picks from 2028-30. In addition, they hold swap rights with Milwaukee for first-round picks in 2028 and 2030. If that is not enough, Portland also owns its own first-round picks in 2027, 2029, and 2031, along with the Orlando Magic’s 2028 first-rounder.
Those picks would be crucial in any trade talks, as the Bucks would require draft capital if they part ways with a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber. Portland also has several young players, including Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clinga,n and Toumani Camara, who could entice Milwaukee.
It has been widely reported that Antetokounmpo prefers to play in the Eastern Conference, and a move to Portland logically seems unlikely. However, with its collection of assets and control over Milwaukee’s future picks, the Blazers remain firmly in the conversation.
