The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly open to acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade, even if the star player does not commit to the team long-term.
Antetokounmpo’s current contract has just one year remaining, with a salary exceeding $58 million. He is expected to opt out of his player option for the 2027-28 season, which is valued at over $62 million, in pursuit of a new, potentially final, long-term maximum contract.
During a segment on “Stugotz and Company,” ESPN insider Shams Charania mentioned that the Trail Blazers are among the teams eager to pursue the former MVP, willing to accept the risk of not having a long-term commitment from him.
This interest is significant, as Portland joins a competitive field reportedly including the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Boston Celtics, all vying for the chance to acquire Antetokounmpo.
Typically, teams prefer some assurance of a player’s intention to stay with the franchise before they commit to trading away multiple draft picks, young talent, and matching salaries in such high-profile deals.
Portland, however, appears willing to accept that risk.
The Blazers have spent the last few seasons rebuilding around a young core after moving on from franchise icon Damian Lillard in 2023 — although they did bring him back last off-season after a failed two-year stint with the Bucks.
Lillard, who missed last season with an Achilles injury, is expected to be ready for the 2026-27 season.
The organization has accumulated promising talent as well, including Scoot Henderson, picked No. 2 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft after Victor Wembanyama, Toumani Camara, talented swingman Shaedon Sharpe and interior presence Donovan Clingan.
The Blazers also have Jrue Holiday on the roster, who won a title with Antetokounmpo in 2021 in Milwaukee.
Holiday was moved from Milwaukee to Portland in 2023 as part of the first Lillard trade but ended up with the Celtics, and he played an integral role in their 2024 championship run.
Holiday was again traded to Portland last summer, but he remained with the club after outside speculation fueled the possibility of another re-routing.
Antetokounmpo, 31, remains one of the league’s best players and will be entering his 14th NBA season next year.
He averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in just 36 games this year because of injury.