What Bill Simmons has said about Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation
17 quotes · 13 episodes · Mar 26, 2026 – Jun 29, 2026
Bill Simmons, Sportswriter and founder of The Ringer, host of The Bill Simmons Podcast, has been quoted on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation 17 times in 13 episodes of The Bill Simmons Podcast, most recently on June 29, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
- Prediction · due Apr 2027
Simmons predicts Miami will win between 43 and 47 games depending on Giannis's availability.
“I think they'll be like between 43 and 47 wins, depending on how much Giannis”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Crazy NBA Month With Zach Lowe, Plus Taylor Sheridan on Building a TV Empire and the Problems With Hollywood (Jun 29, 2026) · Listen from 1:07:41
Simmons estimated Giannis has only one or two elite seasons left.
“I think he has one, maybe two really, really, really elite years left”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 11:46
- Partly true
Simmons predicted the Giannis trade would happen the next day and said he would still bet on Boston as the destination.
“I think it's going to happen tomorrow. Sadly, not, not good for our podcast”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Giannis Never-Trade and a Mega-Mailbag With Zach Lowe, Plus Wyndham Clark’s Second U.S. Open Title With Joe House (Jun 22, 2026) · Listen from 2:54
Simmons argued that Kyle Kuzma would be the 'Giannis tax' forced on whichever team acquires Giannis.
“I think Kuzma, uh, is the Giannis tax for this trade for whoever gets him”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Giannis Never-Trade and a Mega-Mailbag With Zach Lowe, Plus Wyndham Clark’s Second U.S. Open Title With Joe House (Jun 22, 2026) · Listen from 4:34
Simmons says he would not want the Celtics to trade Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“I don't want the Celtics to trade Jalen Brown for Giannis, which I felt that way the whole month”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 1:25:02
Simmons says he hopes the Celtics don't trade for Giannis, citing the risk of aging big men in their 14th season.
“I kind of hope the Celtics don't trade for him because I think it's risky because this will be his 14th year in the league”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 1:11:03
- Didn’t happen
Simmons predicts the Boston Celtics will acquire Giannis within the next week.
“I think Boston's going to get Giannis. And I think it will happen in the next week would be my prediction”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: New York Wins the Title, Brunson Wins Immortality, and Knicks Fans Have a Zihuatanejo Moment With Zach Lowe (Jun 14, 2026) · Listen from 1:22:28
Simmons reports that Giannis is pushing for a trade to Miami or Boston and prefers Boston.
“Giannis is pushing for Miami or Boston. Those are the two locations and really wants to end up in Boston because it would have the best chance to win a title”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Knicks Miracle (and an All-Time Spurs Collapse), a Mini-Mailbag, and a World Cup Preview | With Joe House, Kirk Goldsberry, Anthony Dabbundo, and Cousin Sal (Jun 11, 2026) · Listen from 1:06:34
Simmons argues trading for Giannis would be out of character for Sam Presti's patient, chemistry-focused approach.
“To me, it feels like a very un-OKC move”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe (May 31, 2026) · Listen from 1:00:21
Simmons repeats his view that the Boston Celtics are not pursuing Giannis.
“I keep saying it. I don't think Boston's in on Giannis”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe (May 31, 2026) · Listen from 1:00:00
Simmons reads Brad Stevens's end-of-season comments as hints toward a Giannis trade.
“it felt like he was laying a lot of breadcrumbs to Giannis' trade”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!) (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 29:13
Simmons argues Giannis is worth less in a trade than a year and a half ago because big men age poorly and he has been frequently injured.
“So I don't think he's worth as much as we thought a year and a half ago, where it was like, oh my God, you trade everything for that guy”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Lottery Karma Rankings, Jaylen’s Future, and a Blistering Wolves-Spurs Series With Nick Wright (May 6, 2026) · Listen from 21:42
Simmons argues the Jakob Poeltl extension hampers Toronto's ability to construct a Giannis trade package.
“The problem is that Purtle extension kills them for a Giannis thing”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Part 2: Cleveland Survives, Knicks-Sixers, and Whaddya Do for Denver, Houston, and Atlanta With Zach Lowe (May 4, 2026) · Listen from 22:33
Simmons ranked Portland second behind the Knicks as the most likely destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Byddwn i'n cael y Nigau un, ac byddwn i'n cael Portland 2 ar gyfer destinaethau Ionis”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The 2026 Made-Up NBA Awards With Zach Lowe (Apr 6, 2026) · Listen from 37:55
Simmons said only four players have averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds at age 32 or older, and none in 28 years, making a Giannis trade a bet against history.
“only four guys ever have done it. Kareem twice. Four. Hakeem twice, Carl Malone once, Elgin Baylor three times, have averaged 24 and 10 when they were 32 years old or later. It has not happened in 28 years”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Hot Takes, OKC’s Red Flag, and Giannis vs. Father Time With Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House (Mar 26, 2026) · Listen from 1:03:02
Simmons said he would be the voice in a front-office war room arguing against trading assets for Giannis.
“if I was in that inner circle war room, I would probably be the voice saying, it makes me nervous”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Hot Takes, OKC’s Red Flag, and Giannis vs. Father Time With Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House (Mar 26, 2026) · Listen from 1:14:03
Simmons noted that San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Houston all passed on Giannis despite having the assets.
“I thought it was notable that San Antonio and OKC were like, we're good”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Hot Takes, OKC’s Red Flag, and Giannis vs. Father Time With Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House (Mar 26, 2026) · Listen from 1:20:11
Predictions
- Prediction · due Apr 2027
Simmons predicts Miami will win between 43 and 47 games depending on Giannis's availability.
“I think they'll be like between 43 and 47 wins, depending on how much Giannis”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Crazy NBA Month With Zach Lowe, Plus Taylor Sheridan on Building a TV Empire and the Problems With Hollywood (Jun 29, 2026) · Listen from 1:07:41 · Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation
- Partly true
Simmons predicted the Giannis trade would happen the next day and said he would still bet on Boston as the destination.
“I think it's going to happen tomorrow. Sadly, not, not good for our podcast”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Giannis Never-Trade and a Mega-Mailbag With Zach Lowe, Plus Wyndham Clark’s Second U.S. Open Title With Joe House (Jun 22, 2026) · Listen from 2:54 · Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation
Simmons said the Giannis trade would happen 'tomorrow' (June 23, 2026); the Bucks agreed to trade Antetokounmpo just before midnight on Monday, June 22, the eve of the 2026 draft, so the timing was essentially right. However, the destination he said he would still bet on, Boston, was wrong: Giannis and Bobby Portis went to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and three first-round picks.
Sources: Bucks trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to Heat for haul of players, picks - ESPN · Giannis Antetokounmpo trade grades: Heat finally land their North Star - Yahoo Sports · Giannis Antetokounmpo trade: Heat land Bucks star in massive blockbuster, Celtics miss out - CBS Sports · Bucks To Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo To Heat - Hoops Rumors · What Bucks wanted from Celtics in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks - NBC Sports Boston
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Didn’t happen
Simmons predicts the Boston Celtics will acquire Giannis within the next week.
“I think Boston's going to get Giannis. And I think it will happen in the next week would be my prediction”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: New York Wins the Title, Brunson Wins Immortality, and Knicks Fans Have a Zihuatanejo Moment With Zach Lowe (Jun 14, 2026) · Listen from 1:22:28 · Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation
Giannis Antetokounmpo was not traded to Boston. On June 22, 2026, ESPN reported the Celtics and Heat as finalists, and late that night the Bucks agreed to trade him to the Miami Heat for four players and three first-round picks. That was after the June 21 deadline, and Boston's offer, which reportedly included Jaylen Brown, was turned down.
Sources: Bucks To Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo To Heat - Hoops Rumors · Sources: Giannis Antetokounmpo trade finalists are Celtics, Heat - ESPN · Giannis Antetokounmpo trade: Heat land Bucks star in massive blockbuster, Celtics miss out - CBS Sports · Here's Why Boston Celtics Failed to Complete Trade For Giannis - Yahoo Sports
Checked Oct 6, 2026
Episodes
A Crazy NBA Month With Zach Lowe, Plus Taylor Sheridan on Building a TV Empire and the Problems With HollywoodThe Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 29, 2026 · 2 h 45 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe debate Jaylen Brown trade rumors, the LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges trades and LeBron's future, then Taylor Sheridan discusses his prison book and TV empire.
- Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 23, 2026 · 52 min
Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier react to Giannis Antetokounmpo's trade to the Miami Heat and what it means for the Bucks, Celtics and Jaylen Brown.
- The Giannis Never-Trade and a Mega-Mailbag With Zach Lowe, Plus Wyndham Clark’s Second U.S. Open Title With Joe House
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 22, 2026 · 1 h 56 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe discuss the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga and a listener mailbag, then Joe House recaps Wyndham Clark's U.S. Open win.
- NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 19, 2026 · 2 h 11 min
Bill Simmons previews the 2026 NBA draft and Finals fallout with Tim Legler, then discusses the USMNT's World Cup outlook with Anthony Dabbundo.
- 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 17, 2026 · 1 h 60 min
Bill Simmons and Doc Rivers break down the Knicks' 2026 NBA Finals win over the Spurs, Jalen Brunson's legacy, Mike Brown's coaching, and Giannis trade scenarios.
- New York Wins the Title, Brunson Wins Immortality, and Knicks Fans Have a Zihuatanejo Moment With Zach Lowe
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 14, 2026 · 1 h 41 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe react live to the Knicks winning the 2026 NBA Finals in Game 5, Jalen Brunson's 45 points, the Spurs' fallout, and offseason storylines.
- A Knicks Miracle (and an All-Time Spurs Collapse), a Mini-Mailbag, and a World Cup Preview | With Joe House, Kirk Goldsberry, Anthony Dabbundo, and Cousin Sal
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 11, 2026 · 2 h 1 min
Bill Simmons, Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House dissect the Knicks' 29-point Game 4 comeback over the Spurs, Simmons answers mailbag questions, and Anthony Dabbundo and Cousin Sal preview World Cup bets.
- Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 31, 2026 · 1 h 37 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe react live to the Spurs beating the Thunder in Game 7 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals and preview Spurs-Knicks.
- Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!)
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 8, 2026 · 1 h 57 min
Bill Simmons shares NBA second-round playoff takes, then interviews David Letterman about retirement, late-night TV, yacht rock, comedy peers, sports rule ideas and Netflix.
- NBA Lottery Karma Rankings, Jaylen’s Future, and a Blistering Wolves-Spurs Series With Nick Wright
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 6, 2026 · 1 h 48 min
Bill Simmons and Nick Wright discuss the Celtics' exit and Jaylen Brown's future, the Timberwolves-Spurs series, LeBron's ranking, and 2026 NBA lottery karma rankings.
- Part 2: Cleveland Survives, Knicks-Sixers, and Whaddya Do for Denver, Houston, and Atlanta With Zach Lowe
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 4, 2026 · 1 h 12 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe react to Cleveland's Game 7 win over Toronto, preview the NBA's second round, and weigh offseason moves for eliminated teams.
- The 2026 Made-Up NBA Awards With Zach Lowe
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Apr 6, 2026 · 2 h 5 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe react to a Nuggets-Spurs overtime thriller, the Lakers' injuries, and hand out their 2026 made-up NBA awards.
- NBA Hot Takes, OKC’s Red Flag, and Giannis vs. Father Time With Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Mar 26, 2026 · 1 h 36 min
Bill Simmons, Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House debate OKC's vulnerabilities, All-NBA cases, Houston's bad vibes and whether any team should trade for Giannis.
Others on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation
- Zach Lowe · 4 quotes
- Kirk Goldsberry · 4 quotes
- Joe House · 3 quotes
- Doc Rivers · 2 quotes
- Hank Lockwood · 2 quotes
- Nick Wright · 2 quotes
- PFT Commenter · 2 quotes
- Dan Katz · 2 quotes
Bill Simmons on other topics
- 2026 NBA draft · 14 quotes
- New York Knicks · 13 quotes
- Boston Celtics · 13 quotes
- Oklahoma City Thunder · 11 quotes
- 2026 NBA playoffs · 10 quotes
- San Antonio Spurs · 9 quotes
- 2026 NBA Finals · 8 quotes
- Cleveland Cavaliers · 8 quotes