If you thought the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade buzz had cooled off, think again. The Portland Trail Blazers are back in the mix-and this time, they’re not just looking to play middleman. According to league sources, Portland has expressed real interest in acquiring the two-time MVP outright, even if they know the odds are long.
Let’s be clear: the Blazers’ front office isn’t delusional about their chances. They reportedly view Giannis committing to a long-term extension in Portland as an “extreme long shot.”
But that hasn’t stopped them from exploring all avenues. The more plausible scenario remains Portland stepping in as a third team in a larger, multi-team deal, where they’d walk away with a different star-or at least a significant roster upgrade.
Still, the fact that Portland is even entertaining the idea of landing Giannis themselves is telling. It speaks to a front office that’s not content to sit on its hands during a pivotal stretch of the rebuild. And they’ve got more than just pipe dreams-they’ve got assets.
One interesting wrinkle: rival teams believe that acquiring Jrue Holiday could help their own pursuit of Giannis. That’s because Holiday, like Damian Lillard, shares a strong relationship with the Greek superstar from their time together in Milwaukee.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing-both Holiday and Lillard are currently on Portland’s roster. That’s two former Bucks, both still close with Giannis, in the same locker room.
If you’re looking to build a case, that’s not a bad foundation.
Portland also continues to show interest in Knicks wing Mikal Bridges, a name that’s been on their radar for some time. Bridges fits the mold of the kind of two-way player who could help anchor the next competitive Blazers core.
But back to the Giannis angle-Portland’s draft capital is sneaky strong. Thanks to the 2023 blockbuster that sent Lillard to Milwaukee, the Blazers now control the Bucks’ first-round pick in 2028 and have swap rights in both 2029 and 2030.
That deal also brought Jrue Holiday to Portland (briefly), before he was flipped to Boston, where he helped the Celtics win the 2024 title. Fast forward to this past summer, and Holiday is back in Portland, giving the Blazers both a veteran presence and a potential trade chip.
On top of those Milwaukee picks, Portland holds several of its own first-rounders and boasts a young core that includes second-year center Donovan Clingan-a player who’s already turning heads with his size and defensive instincts. If the Blazers wanted to get serious about a Giannis pursuit, they could put together a competitive offer. That said, the real leverage may come in the offseason.
Why? Because several key restrictions will lift after the deadline.
Portland will have more clarity on their lottery-protected 2026 first-round pick, the poison pill provision tied to Shaedon Sharpe’s contract will expire, and forward Toumani Camara will become trade-eligible. In other words, the Blazers’ war chest gets even deeper in a few months.
So, while a Giannis-to-Portland move might seem like a stretch today, the Blazers are keeping their options open and their phones active. Whether they end up with the Greek Freak or simply use this trade window to add another foundational piece, one thing’s clear: Portland isn’t just waiting for the lottery balls to bounce their way. They’re trying to shape their future-now.