NBA Teams Getting Cold Feet on Blockbuster Trades for Stars Like Giannis
The days of teams giving up everything for a superstar might be over. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on “The Hoop Collective Podcast,” executives around the league have a new mindset: “not to give up four first-round picks for anybody.”
This shift could dramatically change what it takes to trade for someone like Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Why are teams suddenly so cautious? It’s all about flexibility.
With the NBA’s stricter salary cap rules (called “apron restrictions”), teams can’t easily reset their rosters anymore. Even for elite players like Giannis, front offices aren’t willing to mortgage their future.
Teams now want salary flexibility and younger players they can develop, rather than expensive veterans – no matter how good they are.
Make no mistake, Giannis is still dominating this season. He’s putting up nearly 30 points, 10-11 rebounds, and about 6 assists per game.
But his massive contract makes things tricky. He’s making $54.1 million this season alone, with increases to $58.5 million in 2026-27 and a player option worth $62.8 million in 2027-28.
That’s a lot of money for any team to absorb.
The New Trade Reality
Remember when everyone thought Giannis could fetch four first-round picks? Those days are gone.
“Those high-end deals just aren’t going to happen,” one executive told Windhorst.
If Milwaukee does explore trading their superstar, sources say they’d likely want a package of young talent, team-friendly contracts, and some future picks – not just a pile of draft assets.
Some teams are still interested, of course. Organizations with available cap space and long-term planning might offer a mix of players and draft picks.
But nobody seems ready to go all-in with four first-rounders anymore.
What’s Next for Giannis?
The current NBA landscape suggests any potential Giannis trade would be more balanced than blockbuster.
If the Bucks actually start serious trade talks, scouts believe the return would include at least one or two promising players plus several picks – but not the kind of massive haul fans might have expected a few years ago.
The conversation around Giannis has shifted from excitement to careful calculation. Even the brightest stars in the league now have to fit into a more cautious NBA economy.
