NBA Offseason Trade/Free Agent Rumors 2026: Antetokounmpo saga could drag on past draft, Kevin Love to Lakers
While New York is still celebrating its title — the parade on Thursday in Manhattan is expected to draw more than 1 million people — the NBA offseason is coming fast. And it's coming for the Knicks roster (more on that below). Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam set an artificial deadli
While New York is still celebrating its title — the parade on Thursday in Manhattan is expected to draw more than 1 million people — the NBA offseason is coming fast. And it's coming for the Knicks roster (more on that below).
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam set an artificial deadline of wanting to have the Giannis Antetokounmpo saga wrapped up by the NBA Draft. It makes sense. If the Bucks want picks in this deep draft class as part of any trade, they need it done by next Tuesday.
Except, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on SiriusXM NBA Radio that the Antetokounmpo trade saga — which has dragged on for seemingly years — could continue past the draft and into free agency.
"From what I'm hearing this could drag on into free agency. This could drag on until July…. Boston seems a little bit from what I'm hearing and gauging, Boston doesn't seem a promising destination…. I do still believe he will be moved this offseason but I'm not as certain as I was before that it'd be done before the draft."
As NBC Sports recently reported, there is a growing belief around the league that Boston isn't all in on an Antetokounmpo trade, that it was exploring options but not serious. If the Celtics are out of the mix, that just leaves the Heat, with an offer the Bucks' front office clearly doesn't love (or they would have jumped at it long ago).
For a couple of weeks now, all the rumors out of Milwaukee have sounded like a team desperately trying to drum up a bidding war, trying to find other interested teams, to spark a market that is tepid now after being hot at the trade deadline. This sounds like more of the same, and maybe the Bucks just strike a deal with Miami at the deadline and move on.
Or maybe this drama will drag on longer — but it's not like the offers are not suddenly going to get better.
As we reported this week, league sources have told NBC Sports there is an increasing sense that LeBron James will re-sign with the Lakers. Money and comfort level on both sides are driving that.
