Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have begun discussing his future with the franchise and a trade may be in the cards for the two-time NBA MVP.
Milwaukee has struggled this season, and currently sits at 9–13 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. Things are not going well, and it would make sense to move Antetokounmpo when he still has maximum value. If he were traded, the Bucks would almost certainly be starting a rebuild. They would need young players and draft picks in return for him.
Here are five teams with the pieces to make a deal where Antetokounmpo would fit.
New York Knicks
This is the destination everyone is talking about. Shipping Antetokounmpo to the Big Apple would be a deal the league office would love. The Bucks could do an instant rebuild with a deal centered on Karl-Anthony Towns and a dynamic wing like OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges. They could also tack on a bigger contract like those owed to Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma. The Knicks would need to surrender a pile of picks and swaps to make this work.
Even with Towns and Anunoby or Bridges gone, New York would boast a lineup led by Jalen Brunson and Antetokounmpo. That would be one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Dončić and Giannis playing together for the next five years would be really fun. Surprisingly, the Lakers have enough smaller, expiring contracts to get a deal done without moving Dončić or LeBron James. The bench would be mighty thin, but Dončić, Antetokounmpo and James together would be worth the risk.
A package built around Austin Reaves, plus a boatload of picks and pick swaps, could entice Milwaukee. Plus, the expiring contracts of Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) and Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million) would give them space to make a move next summer. They’d likely have to take on the two years and $25 million left on Jarred Vanderbilt’s deal to make it work, but this is doable.
The 27-year-old Reaves has become a potential All-Star. He has broken out this season, averaging 28.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. He’ll hit free agency after the season, but Milwaukee would get the first shot at inking him to a big deal.
Golden State Warriors
The Stephen Curry-Draymond Green era is winding down in the Bay, but bringing Giannis on board would revitalize a franchise that continues to get older. A deal with the Warriors would be complicated, but could get done, though a third team might be needed.
The Warriors would have to be willing to surrender youngsters Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody, plus picks, to get the Bucks to pick up the phone. But to make the math work, the Warriors would have to get rid of a sizeable contract. I doubt Golden State would trade Green, but Jimmy Butler could be moved. Unfortunately, I doubt a rebuilding Milwaukee would be willing to take on the $111 million left on Butler’s deal. That would mean a third team would have to take him.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are always willing to make a splash, and after two seasons without making the playoffs, Brooklyn needs something. Antetokounmpo might not be thrilled to be heading to a team near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but Brooklyn has the assets to pull off a deal.
Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton and a boatload of picks would be heading to Milwaukee in this scenario. That would leave the Bucks with one of the better inside duos in the league with Myles Turner and Claxton manning the middle. It would also maintain their status as a non-tax-paying franchise. If a true full rebuild was in the cards, Claxton, Turner and Porter would all be valuable pieces to sell off for more picks.
San Antonio Spurs
Let’s go wild, shall we? Led by Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs have arrived far sooner than expected. Adding Antetokounmpo would make San Antonio a legitimate, long-term contender to challenge the Thunder in the Western Conference.
Rookie guard Dylan Harper would headline any deal here, and to make the math work, Devin Vassell and another contract would have to head to Milwaukee. Keldon Johnson would make sense, though the Bucks would likely push for Stephon Castle to be included. With Castle in the mix, the two sides might not even need to exchange picks. This might be the cleanest deal available for Milwaukee.
