Giannis Antetokounmpo to Portland Trail Blazers? (Image via NBA) According to reports, the Portland Trail Blazers are interested in signing Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. From 2028 to 2030, Portland will have power over Milwaukee’s draft, including swaps in 2028 and 2030 and a first-round selection in 2029. With Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculations getting more intense in the run-up to the February 5 deadline. The Portland Trail Blazers have “expressed” interest in signing Antetokounmpo, according to Fischer and Stein. The Blazers’ interest, according to Fischer, comes with the knowledge that it would be extremely unlikely to persuade Giannis to accept a contract extension that would keep him in the Pacific Northwest.
Portland Trail Blazers enter Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors but likely to play facilitator role in blockbuster deal
There have been NBA trade ideas that would move Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat.According to trade rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Portland Trail Blazers are the most recent team mentioned. Despite the danger issues, Portland has reportedly shown interest in purchasing the two-time NBA MVP from the Milwaukee Bucks, according to The Stein Line. The Stein Line reports:”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 longshot to convince Giannis to sign a contract extension that keeps him in the Pacific Northwest..” In exchange for Giannis, Milwaukee is looking for a mix of young players and picks. Put differently, they wish to reconstruct. But without your own selections, it’s difficult to accomplish that, which gives Portland a significant advantage in the Giannis sweepstakes.According to reports, Portland is more likely to act as a facilitator in the Giannis trade.”The far more likely scenario remains Portland participating in such a deal as a facilitator to snag an impact veteran (or two) as part of a multi-team trade structure..”He noted: “It should be noted, though, that the Blazers do have Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard on their roster, two players who have maintained a closeness with Milwaukee’s star. Yet we repeat: The Blazers continue to be regarded as a plausible facilitator if an Antetokounmpo deal reaches the finish line in the next five days.”He continued:”As we’ve been reporting since last weekend, 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…”
Giannis Antetokounmpo-Damian Lillard reunion looks unlikely as Portland eyes facilitator role amid injury setback
Giannis would rejoin with Damian Lillard, his former Milwaukee teammate from 2023 to 2025, if he were to move to Portland. The Bucks waived and stretched Lillard prior to the 2025-26 campaign in order to free up cap space for the signing of Myles Turner.Giannis’s lack of enthusiasm in moving to Portland, however, should rule out that possibility. Nevertheless, by arranging a Giannis trade, the Blazers might be able to acquire a valuable asset. Antetokounmpo is currently out with a right calf strain, which is anticipated to keep him out long after the trade deadline on February 5.