NBA Rumors: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Warriors, Pelicans

June 12, 2025

Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo has not requested a trade from the Bucks and may not make any firm decision about his future until well into the summer.

That’s according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who reported that Antetokounmpo’s plans are unlikely to be tied to the NBA Draft or the opening days of free agency.

“From what I’m told, his status will not be tied to the NBA draft,” Charania said on the air. “It won’t be tied to free agency. It’s much more likely that his future plays out into July and into August.”

Charania added that Giannis is taking time to assess the Bucks’ direction, and the broader NBA landscape, before making any definitive calls.

“When you’re a star of that caliber, the league moves how you want it to move,” Charania said. “The league will move when you’re ready to ask for a trade, or if you’re ready to say, ‘I’m staying. I want to be back.'”

While teams around the league are monitoring the situation closely, Charania emphasized that Antetokounmpo is known for his loyalty and has not yet gone so far as to formally request a move. “There’s a level of skepticism: does he really go through with it?” Charania said. “There’s a difference between being open-minded and actively exploring other options. He’s in the process of figuring out exactly what he wants to do.”
Antetokounmpo has given public signals that he’s still invested in Milwaukee, and the team’s front office — led by GM Jon Horst and head coach Doc Rivers — believes it has enough to compete in the Eastern Conference.

Warriors

If Bobby Portis declines his $13.4 million player option with the Bucks, there’s already a sense around the league that he won’t be waiting long for suitors.

One potential landing spot? The Golden State Warriors.

According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Warriors are among the teams expected to show interest in Portis should he become a free agent. Golden State is thin up front, with only Draymond Green, Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis currently under contract in the frontcourt.

Portis, 29, could step in and play a significant role right away, particularly with the Warriors prioritizing toughness, rebounding and some scoring punch from their big men. And he already has a relationship with head coach Steve Kerr, having played for him on Team USA during the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Still, Milwaukee may not be so quick to let him walk. If Antetokounmpo remains with the Bucks — and most around the league now believe he will — the team is expected to make a strong push to keep Portis in the fold. Portis has been a key part of Milwaukee’s second unit and a fan favorite during his time there.
Portis averaged 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds in 26.5 minutes per game last season, while shooting 50.8% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc.

Pelicans

The Pelicans are exploring ways to move up in the NBA Draft, with an eye on Rutgers star forward Ace Bailey, per Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports.

New Orleans currently holds the No. 7 pick, but word around the NBA is they have interest in jumping into the top three — possibly to strike a deal with the 76ers, who pick third. O’Connor’s latest mock draft includes a hypothetical Pelicans-Sixers swap centered on Bailey, a high-upside wing projected to go as early as No. 3.

One league source told Hoops Wire he’s heard that new Pelicans head of basketball operations Joe Dumars has already called the Spurs about what it would take to move up to No. 2.