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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 05: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks works out before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo has continued to be a top target among contending teams for the upcoming offseason, including a rising Western Conference team.
According to Bill Oram of The Oregonian, the Blazers are looking forward to a pitch for the Milwaukee Bucks centered around Giannis in the offseason. However, the team remains open for other big-name options.
“The Blazers are prepared to make a pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo as long as he is willing to sign an extension, but are not likely to limit their options to Lillard’s former Milwaukee teammate,” his report said.
The Blazers are ready to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo if he’s open to an extension, per @billoram
“The Blazers are prepared to make a pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo as long as he is willing to sign an extension but are not likely to limit their options to Lillard’s former
Giannis signed a three-year, $186 million extension in 2023, which will see him have a player option in the 2027-2028 season.
Giannis played with Lillard, who has yet to suit up for the Blazers since hurting his left Achilles tendon during the 2024 NBA playoffs with the Bucks, for two seasons, both ending in the first round of the playoffs.
If the Blazers pull it off, they would reunite Giannis, Lillard, and potentially Jrue Holiday in Portland. Giannis and Holiday led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship, the former two-time NBA MVP’s only title so far.
The Blazers have built a strong young core over the past two seasons. The team is now playing in the first round of the playoffs against the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs, led by Deni Avdija, and Scoot Henderson.
Giannis has been in trade talks since the start of the season. It further fueled when the Bucks struggled for most of the season, finishing with just 32 wins and the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference.
Last offseason, the team waived Lillard, who eventually signed with Portland. The Bucks then added Myles Turner, who became a disappointment for Milwaukee in his first season with the squad.
GettyBlazers shifting to bigger goals.
After years of rebuilding, the Trail Blazers are already looking forward for loftier goals. According to team owner Tom Dundon, the team is now shifting away from developmental goals to winning objectives.
“We’ve tried to get this message through the last couple of days that that was fun, and probably necessary, but it’s more fun to win,” he said during a talk with fellow investors in the “Rip City Rising” ownership group.
“It’s more fun to do the things that lead to success and hopefully we’ll start creating more habits, that those processes lead to the kind of winning that I expect, and I think everybody expects.”
Before this season, the Blazers last played in the postseason in 2021 with a team led by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
The Blazers finished with the eighth-best record in the West but beat the Phoenix Suns in the first play-in game to take the No. 7 seed.
For now, the Trail Blazers are focused on gunning for a massive upset against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.
The Blazers stole Game 2 on Tuesday after the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama was taken out of the game due to a concussion.
Game 3 will be on Friday, April 24, and will tip off at 5:30 p.m. in Portland.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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