DHJ Quick Take
- The Blockbuster Assets: The Indiana Pacers would land Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma, instantly transforming their roster.
- The Milwaukee Return: In exchange, the Milwaukee Bucks would receive a haul, headlined by All-Star Pascal Siakam, guard Andrew Nembhard and young prospect Jarace Walker.
- Draft Capital & Source: The deal, proposed by Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, includes a 2027 unprotected first-round pick heading to Milwaukee to round out the compensation for Antetokounmpo.
A blockbuster offseason NBA trade proposal sending Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Indiana Pacers has been constructed.
In a story called “Bold NBA Trades That Should Happen This Offseason,” Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report assembled the following trade proposal between the Bucks and Pacers:
Indiana Pacers Receive: PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, F Kyle Kuzma
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: PF Pascal Siakam, G Andrew Nembhard, PF Jarace Walker, 2027 first-round pick (unprotected)
Indiana lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals in seven games. All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton didn’t play this season because of the Achilles tear he suffered in Game 7 against the Thunder. The Pacers won only 19 games this season, but they will be better next season with Haliburton back in the fold.
The Bucks and Antetokounmpo are widely expected to part ways this offseason. This trade proposal pairs Antetokounmpo with Haliburton and center Ivica Zubac. That’s a “Big 3” that could compete for the 2027 NBA championship.
“Haliburton will be back next year and Zubac is already on board as the team’s new starting center,” Swartz wrote. “Adding a two-time MVP in his prime to a core that also features Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, T.J. McConnell, Kuzma and potentially the No. 1 overall pick in the draft would make the Pacers the best team in the East.”
Antetokounmpo has spent his entire NBA career with the Bucks. He’s a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and 10-time All-Star. Antetokounmpo guided Milwaukee to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games, but the Bucks have won just one playoff series since then and missed the playoffs this year.
A future Hall of Famer, Antetokounmpo will make $58.5 million next season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The Greek Freak is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension with the Bucks on October 1. If he declines the extension, Antetokounmpo will be traded, Milwaukee co-owner Wes Edens told ESPN.
Antetokounmpo holds career averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. It will be fascinating to see where he’s playing next season. Antetokounmpo hasn’t been linked to the Pacers in trade rumors, but that could change once the offseason hits.
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