NBA Insider Predicts Unexpected Team to Target Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could eventually land with the LA Clippers

Dec 31, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The beginning of the 2025 NBA offseason was filled with speculation around Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks, but as that noise dies down, the two-time MVP is expected to stay put, for now.

There were many people around the league expecting Antetokounmpo to request a trade out of Milwaukee, and potential destinations like the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors were coming to life. Now, teams may have to wait a couple of years to get to the superstar forward.

Jan 25, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates against the LA Clippers in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Antetokounmpo has a $62.7 million player option with the Bucks for the 2027-28 season, meaning the superstar could hit the open market as early as the summer of 2027. NBA analysts and insiders Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe believe the LA Clippers are gearing up to make a push for Antetokounmpo when he hits free agency.

"If you're the Clippers, and short term, you can compete with a puncher's chance for a title, but long term, you have $20 million on your books for the summer of '27," Simmons said. "You just have Zubac, that's it. You can basically build a new team, and they're in the best position... I think that's their endgame, that Summer in 2027. 'Short term? Let's try to win. Long term? Giannis,' and that's how they're thinking."

Lowe responded by assuring the Clippers likely have a legitimate interest in making a push for Antetokounmpo.

"Lawrence Frank does not wink subtly," Lowe said. "It might be different with Giannis, he has a player option, but there ain't nothing subtle about how the Clippers operate... They're also in a position to get max cap space a year from now."

Lawrence Frank and the LA Clippers’ are gearing up to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo in free agency during the Summer of 2027, per @ZachLowe_NBA and @BillSimmons.

BS: "I think that's their endgame. That Summer in 2027. 'Short term? Lets try to win. Long term? Giannis' and that's… pic.twitter.com/tqxzjLG6tJ

— APHoops (@APH00PS) July 23, 2025

Of course, the idea of the Clippers making a push for another star, especially after building a core group of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul, sounds absurd, but it is certainly a reality for LA in the near future.