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The Philadelphia 76ers could enter the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes with a better offer than other teams, according to new rumors.
The four teams predicted to be leading the race for Giannis Antetokounmpo in NBA trade rumors are the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves, according to insider Shams Charania, but little has been made about the potential of the Philadelphia 76ers going after the Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar.
Initially, the thought of the Sixers targeting Antetokounmpo feels a bit random, but over the recent days, Philadelphia making a blockbuster move to add the two-time regular-season MVP could become more realistic. While they might not have the biggest trade package to offer compared to some of the other teams listed, the 76ers have one asset in particular that could shift the entire market for the hottest trade commodity in recent NBA memory.
Writing for ESPN, Bobby Marks believes that if the Sixers include rookie VJ Edgecombe in a deal for Antetokounmpo, Philadelphia could be considered as a top potential landing spot.
“But only one of these trades results in Milwaukee landing a blue-chip prospect on a rookie contract: The Sixers and Edgecombe,” he wrote.
A trade would also have to include Paul George’s contract and a few picks, but if the team is willing to give up their rising star rookie to add the 2021 Finals MVP and pair him with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, that could shake up the entire league.
76ers Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors
In an article on ESPN, Marks named the Sixers’ trade package for Antetokounmpo as the best one available, as Edgecombe would be the ‘blue chip‘ player that would be sent back to Milwaukee to help them start a rebuild.
The trade idea wouldn’t include as many picks as the Warriors or Heat could offer in a two-team deal, but compared to either Jonathan Kuminga, Tyler Herro, or even Karl-Anthony Towns in a Knicks package, Edgecombe would be the one player that could move the needle on the 76ers’ potential Antetokounmpo trade hopes.
Here’s the full trade idea Marks discussed:
Philadelphia 76ers get: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks get: Paul George, VJ Edgecombe, a 2028 first-round pick (from Clippers), and a 2030 first-round pick
“The 76ers might well decline to discuss Edgecombe in any trade package, given the strong start to the No. 3 pick’s career. They could opt to build around Edgecombe and Maxey as a long-term backcourt partnership,” the insider wrote. “But GM Daryl Morey has always chased after stars, and he might not turn down the chance to build a contender with, arguably, three of the best half-dozen players in the East.”
Giving up Edgecombe is the biggest question mark surrounding this deal. But as Marks mentioned, the idea of Morey building the potential trio of Maxey, Embiid, and Antetokounmpo can’t be ruled out. The Sixers would also be able to duck below the luxury tax, and give them an open roster spot to either use on the buyout market, or make another trade for a rotational player.
Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly has the 76ers on his radar and likes Tyrese Maxey, per @TheSteinLine & @JakeLFischer
“League sources say Philadelphia, furthermore, has not contacted Milwaukee about a possible Antetokounmpo deal in the wake of a better-than-expected first half,
Philadelphia hasn’t been named as a top contender to land Antetokounmpo, but with what they can offer, and the report that the star is interested in playing with Maxey, they shouldn’t be ruled out as a landing spot for him.
Paul George Suspension Helps Philadelphia In Trade Rumors
The biggest recent news from the 76ers is that George will be suspended for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. While on the surface that seems like bad news for the team, currently sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, there is a silver lining to him being out for the foreseeable future.
Statement from 76ers’ Paul George to ESPN: “Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication. I take full responsibility for my… https://t.co/0CpqjNToue
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2026
Again writing for ESPN, Marks discussed how, with George out, the Sixers are now about the luxury tax, but can sign a player in his place. However, that makes him a more valuable trade target for tanking teams, like the Bucks would be should they move Antetokounmpo.
With George out, that could bolster Milwaukee’s hopes of getting a higher draft pick in this lottery, if they make the trade outlined above. Additionally, as is the case with the 76ers now, if George joins the Bucks, they would get cap relief and the ability to sign another player while he is out.
Even if Philadelphia doesn’t choose to move Edgecombe, George, and a few picks to land Antetokounmpo, the suspension of their forward could put them in a better spot to make a smaller trade before the February 5th trade deadline. They have a few other assets that could be moved, and while the team as a whole has played well this season, that shouldn’t rule out a trade to add depth in the next few days.
Very significant! Philly would’ve had to have done some real work to duck the tax, either dumping Kelly Oubre or doing some gymnastics with Andre Drummond and the minimums.
Now Philly can duck the tax rather easily, and potentially get a bit more aggressive at the deadline. https://t.co/GikmjQ59GQ
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) January 31, 2026
“Philly would’ve had to have done some real work to duck the tax, either dumping Kelly Oubre or doing some gymnastics with Andre Drummond and the minimums,” insider Sam Quinn wrote in a post on X. “Now Philly can duck the tax rather easily, and potentially get a bit more aggressive at the deadline.”
Any Antetokounmpo hopes come down to whether Morey and the front office are willing to part ways with Edgecombe. If they aren’t, they could still move either George and assets for another player, or Oubre, Drummond, and other piece to work around the margins to bolster their roster.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski