Cavs Probe Giannis Trade with Bucks, Offer Mobley and Draft Capital

The Cleveland Cavaliers reached out to the Milwaukee Bucks before the trade deadline to explore a potential deal for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Sources confirm that Cleveland proposed a package centered around young star Evan Mobley and all of its tradeable draft assets, including three first-round picks and three pick swaps. While no agreement was reached, multiple rival executives said they would accept the offer if Milwaukee had been interested.

Giannis, 28, is coming off a season where he averaged 25.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. His contract includes a $38.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season, with no guaranteed money beyond this year. Cleveland, by contrast, is in a prime window with a core led by 25-year-old Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 25.9 points per game during the regular season and 26.4 in the first-round series against the Raptors.

Mitchell has one guaranteed year left on his current deal, followed by a $53.8 million player option for 2027-28. The timing of his extension eligibility, July 7, gives Cleveland nearly four months before Giannis can pursue his own deal to evaluate whether to commit long-term to Mitchell.

The Cavaliers are currently in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Pistons, who finished the regular season with a 36-46 record and a 9.9 net rating in the first round. Cleveland’s ability to reach this round without LeBron James for the first time since 1991-92 has added pressure on the front office to decide whether to build around Mitchell or pivot toward a new superstar.

The Bucks, meanwhile, are in a similar crossroads. With Giannis eligible for an extension on July 1, 2025, and the team locked in a rebuild, the window for a blockbuster trade is closing. Cleveland’s offer was significant but not the final word. Other teams are expected to circle if Milwaukee decides to move on from its franchise cornerstone.

For the Pistons, the first-round upset has energized a fanbase and given them a chance to test their young core in the second round. Detroit’s 22-year-old center Jalen Duren, who averaged 15.6 points and 9.3 rebounds in the series, is emerging as a key piece for the future.

The Cavaliers will find out soon if their bold interest in Giannis was a precursor to a larger move or a scouting effort for next summer. The second-round matchup against the Pistons will offer clarity on Cleveland’s title window and Mitchell’s future. The next game is Tuesday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.