Giannis To Cleveland Speculation Heats Up After Playoff Loss

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated May 26, 2026 5:31 PM ET

While the NBA Finals are looming, Milwaukee Bucks fans are anxiously waiting to find out what'll happen to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

There's no question Antetokounmpo has been the face of Milwaukee's franchise for over a decade. The two-time MVP brought the team a championship during the 2020-21 season. Even though he didn't play much this past season, he still averaging 27.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest.

Unfortunately for Bucks fans, ESPN insider Shams Charania said Antetokounmpo is ready to leave Milwaukee.

“Giannis’ situation has been playing out for 12 months. The Milwaukee Bucks are officially open for business. They’re getting teams’ best offers between now and the NBA Draft,” Charania said. “Giannis, for a period of months, has made it clear to the Bucks that he believes the time has come for both sides to part ways.”

As for where Antetokounmpo could end up, NBA fans shouldn't rule out him staying in the Eastern Conference.

Feb 6, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) warms up before game against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images&period;

During this Tuesday's edition of "NBA Today," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said the Cleveland Cavaliers could quickly emerge as a suitor for Antetokounmpo.

Windhorst believes the Cavaliers could entice the Bucks by offering Evan Mobley, who averaged 18.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game this season.

"I don't think it will be long before you start to hear Cavs attached to Giannis," Windhorst said. "If they put Evan Mobley on the table, as hard as that would be, Evan Mobley is in his mid-20s. When they drafted Evan Mobley, they drafted him to be another Giannis. What if they could turn him into Giannis with Harden and Donovan Mitchell on the roster? They have not crossed that bridge yet, but that is something that they may have to consider, especially as we lead up to the draft and the Bucks get serious about listening to offers for Giannis."

“I don’t think it will be long before you start to hear the Cavs attached to Giannis,” - @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/azE7BSM4cE
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 26, 2026

Who else could make a run for Giannis?

Before Windhorst dropped this report, ESPN’s Bobby Marks mentioned the Boston Celtics as a potential suitor for Antetokounmpo.

“Acquiring Antetokounmpo would almost certainly come at the cost of Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum and would continue Boston’s significant roster reshuffle that began in the 2025 offseason,” Marks wrote. “Brown is extension-eligible starting July 26 and has three seasons remaining. His salary next season is $57.1 million. Tatum has four years left on his contract and makes the identical salary as Antetokounmpo.”

The Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves have also been floated out there as options for Antetokounmpo this offseason.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: