katero
Jun 23, 2026

Milwaukee Bucks trade franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo in stunning Heat deal

Story byHITCHITC
Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images
Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images
Aaditya KrishnamurthyTue, June 23, 2026 at 4:28 AM UTC·2 min read

The Milwaukee Bucks have traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in one of the most stunning moves in NBA history, ending a partnership that has defined the franchise for more than a decade.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bucks are sending Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami in exchange for a package built around young talent and future draft capital.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

The deal comes as a huge surprise, particularly with the Boston Celtics having been strongly linked to Antetokounmpo. Reports suggested Boston had made 2024 NBA Finals MVP and All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown available in trade discussions as they explored a move for the two-time MVP.

Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images
Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images

Milwaukee Bucks end Giannis Antetokounmpo era in stunning trade

Charania reported that the full framework of the deal sees Antetokounmpo and Portis heading to South Beach while the Bucks receive a haul of players and picks:

  • Milwaukee Bucks receive: Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (including No. 13), one pick swap and one second-round pick

  • Miami Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis

Antetokounmpo leaves Milwaukee as arguably the greatest player in franchise history. The Bucks selected him with the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, and he went on to become a two-time MVP, NBA champion and Finals MVP.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

It once seemed unimaginable to picture Antetokounmpo in another uniform. Now, Miami have landed the biggest name on the market, and the Bucks are left to chart a new course without him.

Other posts