Report: Cavs called about Giannis, balked at Bucks’ asking price

The Cavaliers checked in. The price was steep.

Cleveland contacted the Bucks about a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the February trade deadline, but Milwaukee’s asking price included Evan Mobley and all available first-round picks, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

“The Cavaliers, league sources say, contacted the Bucks about Giannis before the deadline as well,” Fischer wrote. “And were told it would take Evan Mobley and all of Cleveland’s available draft capital to get it done.”

That was enough to end the conversation.

It also may not be the last time the Cavs explore it.

League sources told Fischer that Cleveland could revisit the idea if it falls short of a deep playoff run, with added urgency tied to Donovan Mitchell’s contract situation.

Like Antetokounmpo, Mitchell is extension-eligible this offseason and could hit free agency in 2027 if he declines his player option.

But as of today, Mobley remains a non-starter in most scenarios. He is viewed as a foundational piece and long-term anchor.

Still, the interest says plenty. The idea of pairing Giannis with Mitchell and James Harden would be tempting on paper.

But as this call showed, the cost of even entering that conversation is massive.