Giannis Antetokounmpo remained with the Milwaukee Bucks through the 2026 trade deadline, but speculation persists that discussions about his future will resume in the offseason. To keep Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks loyal, Milwaukee must demonstrate their ability to remain competitive, which historically involves acquiring a proven star to complement the Greek Freak’s dominance on the court.
Three-time NBA champion and ESPN analyst Danny Green weighed in on the Bucks’ potential strategy. Green emphasized that Milwaukee should explore high-profile trade targets, specifically mentioning Kawhi Leonard as a player who could persuade Giannis to stay with the team for the foreseeable future.
If you want to keep him, you’ve got to go out in the market and find somebody that can keep him there. If I’m the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m monitoring what the Clippers are doing with the Kawhi situation. If you can get a player like Kawhi, or someone similar to that, that can keep Giannis home.
—Danny Green, ESPN analyst
Evaluating Kawhi Leonard as a Trade Target for Milwaukee
Adding Kawhi Leonard to the Bucks roster makes practical sense. Since 2022, injuries to Khris Middleton have exposed Milwaukee’s vulnerability in the small forward position. Despite the emergence of Ousmane Dieng, acquiring a player of Kawhi’s caliber would shore up a critical gap with one of the NBA’s top two-way players, potentially forging an elite duo alongside Giannis.
Kawhi Leonard carries injury concerns, but when healthy, his performance is exceptional. This season, Leonard is posting a career-high average of 27.9 points, with 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Pairing those numbers with Giannis’s influence could establish one of the league’s most formidable partnerships on both ends of the floor.
As Green suggested, monitoring Leonard’s status during the summer is key. The Los Angeles Clippers made surprising trades involving James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the deadline, leading many to speculate Leonard might also be moved. Ultimately, he remained with LA, but the Clippers may revisit trade options this offseason, offering a window for Milwaukee to engage.
The Bucks’ assets, including three tradeable first-round picks and significant salary cap space from players like Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis, position them to seriously explore this opportunity. However, Leonard’s extensive injury history represents a major consideration. Since the 2019-20 season, he has exceeded 60 games played only once and missed an entire year due to an ACL tear. At 34 years old, his durability is a gamble.
Balancing Risks and Rewards to Secure Giannis’s Commitment
The Bucks face a critical decision: whether to risk substantial assets on Kawhi Leonard, whose elite talent could potentially convince Giannis to sign an extension, despite the uncertainty surrounding his health. The choice to “sell the farm” for Leonard would mark a significant gamble by Milwaukee’s front office.
If Milwaukee believes this bold move could secure Giannis’s long-term future in Milwaukee, they are likely to pursue Kawhi or a comparable star aggressively this summer. The outcome of these talks will significantly influence the Bucks’ championship prospects and shape the team’s direction for years to come.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Bucks navigate this high-stakes offseason maneuver, hoping to maintain a core capable of challenging for NBA titles while retaining their franchise cornerstone.
"[Giannis] is very calculated in what he's saying. … If you can get a player like Kawhi, or someone similar to that, that can keep Giannis home."
—@DGreen_14 on how the Bucks can keep Giannis Antetokounmpo 👀 pic.twitter.com/qTTMZkN66q
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 16, 2026
