Should Giannis Antetokounmpo ever request a trade from Milwaukee, two unexpected teams – the New Orleans Pelicans and the Portland Trail Blazers – could play pivotal roles in shaping the outcome.
As Jake Fischer reports, both teams control valuable draft assets tied to the Bucks. The Pelicans hold swap rights to Milwaukee’s 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, while the Trail Blazers possess similar leverage for the 2028 through 2030 drafts.
This gives both franchises significant influence if the Bucks look to regain control of their future drafts as part of a broader roster overhaul in the wake of a potential Giannis departure.
In such a scenario, the Pelicans and Blazers could be positioned as necessary facilitators, leveraging their control of these picks to extract valuable assets or become part of a multi-team trade structure.
While there’s no immediate indication Antetokounmpo is on the move, teams across the league are watching these dynamics closely in case the situation in Milwaukee changes.
The Cavaliers have to decide how deep into the tax they’re willing to go with this core. Details: https://t.co/gLDpwc7BGm
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 17, 2025
