Russell Westbrook’s NBA future remains uncertain as stalled talks with the Sacramento Kings cast doubt on his next move. The former MVP surprised many by declining a $3.5 million option with the Denver Nuggets in June, yet months later, no deal has materialized. Sacramento looked like his best landing spot, but reports now suggest the Kings may hesitate unless they clear a guard from their roster first.
Meanwhile, the NBA trade rumor mill is buzzing with blockbuster proposals centered on Giannis Antetokounmpo, linking the Milwaukee Bucks star to the Miami Heat or New York Knicks. These scenarios feature multi-team deals, draft picks, and moving pieces that could reshape the league’s balance of power.
- Russell Westbrook remains unsigned after leaving the Denver Nuggets, with the Sacramento Kings delaying interest until they clear space in their guard rotation.
- A trade idea proposed by Zach Buckley would send Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Terry Rozier, and multiple draft picks.
- Andy Bailey outlined a five-team trade scenario that would send Antetokounmpo to the New York Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns to the Miami Heat, Lauri Markkanen to the San Antonio Spurs, and a large package of players and picks to the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks.
Russell Westbrook’s NBA Future in Doubt as Kings Hesitate
Russell Westbrook, the former NBA MVP, entered free agency in June after turning down a $3.5 million player option with the Denver Nuggets. Since then, little progress has been reported regarding a deal for Westbrook.
The Sacramento Kings were repeatedly mentioned as a possible destination. However, Sam Amick of The Athletic stated that the team is unlikely to pursue him until it moves another guard. Amick wrote, “More specifically, the odds of a Russell Westbrook signing go up if they know they’re completely out on Kuminga (though they aren’t expected to make that move unless they can free up rotation space by trading a guard).”
NBA insider Jake Fischer also commented on the situation, “We are still waiting to see what other moves could come in Sacramento before the Kings try to bring in Russell Westbrook… And that’s been the one home all along that we really have looked at for Russell Westbrook. And that is still the home I heard earlier this week for Russell Westbrook — if he’s gonna be in the NBA at all, honestly.”
Reports indicated that if Malik Monk were to leave, Westbrook could receive the space needed to join the team. Sacramento had intended for him to play a bench role, supporting newcomer Dennis Schroder as the sixth man.
In the 2024–25 season with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists across 75 games. He has received votes for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in each of the past three seasons.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Idea Sends Him to Miami Heat
As Russell Westbrook waits for clarity on his future, attention has also turned to Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed a bold trade idea with the Miami Heat.
- Miami Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis
- Milwaukee Bucks receive: Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Terry Rozier, a 2030 first-round pick, a 2032 first-round pick, and a 2031 first-round pick swap
A blockbuster trade scenario would pair Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak,” with All-Star Bam Adebayo in Miami. Yet the Milwaukee Bucks are unlikely to part with their franchise cornerstone unless he formally requests a move.
The Heat’s urgency stems from a first-round sweep in the 2025 playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Milwaukee fell to the Indiana Pacers in five games. Since their 2021 title over the Phoenix Suns, the Bucks have managed just one playoff series win.
Miami president Pat Riley has long sought a superstar since LeBron James left in 2014. Jimmy Butler carried the team to NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023, but both ended in defeat. Acquiring Antetokounmpo—a two-time MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and nine-time All-Star—would fulfill that vision.
With career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, Giannis remains a transformative force. On August 4, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported he is still weighing his future with the Bucks, leaving the Miami option alive.Multi-Team Trade Idea Sends Giannis to Knicks, Towns to Heat
An even larger trade proposal has surfaced, imagined by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey. This five-team deal would send Giannis Antetokounmpo to the New York Knicks while rearranging stars across several franchises. The details include:
- New York Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Miami Heat receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
- San Antonio Spurs receive: Lauri Markkanen
- Utah Jazz receive: Keldon Johnson, Bobby Portis, Jeremy Sochan, Tyler Kolek, a 2029 first-round pick from San Antonio, and a 2031 first-round pick from San Antonio
- Milwaukee Bucks receive: Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Harrison Barnes, a 2026 first-round pick from New York (via Washington), a 2030 first-round pick from Miami, a 2030 first-round pick swap from New York, a 2032 first-round pick swap from New York, a 2032 first-round pick from Miami, a top-50 protected 2031 second-round pick from Utah, and three second-round picks from New York
This scenario would bring Antetokounmpo to the Knicks after they reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025, their first appearance at that stage in decades. It would also move Towns, a Kentucky legend, to the Miami Heat as a new offensive centerpiece.
Concerns have been raised about San Antonio’s role in the trade. The Spurs would give up Johnson, Sochan, and two first-round picks for Markkanen, whose annual salary is around $50 million. The assessment described this as a “drastic overpay” and referred to Markkanen’s contract as inefficient. As said, “At an AAV of around $50 million, Markkanen’s inefficiency makes him a bad contract. Not one to give up this much for.”
The potential for the Bucks to agree to this type of deal depends on whether Antetokounmpo becomes dissatisfied. The team recently stretched and waived Damian Lillard’s contract in order to sign Myles Turner in free agency.
