The rumors have become a reality, and the Milwaukee Bucks are now looking to move team legend Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the two-time MVP has made it clear he is ready to be traded, and the organization is ” starting to listen” to offers from various teams.
While a trade before next week’s deadline is no guarantee, and talks could continue into the offseason, the news seemingly ends the will-they or won’t-they saga about a trade that has been ongoing since the summer.
Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo having a calf injury that could sideline him for the next month, there is sure to be a huge amount of interest in the future Hall of Famer, who wants to go to a team with championship aspirations. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top contenders in the trade sweepstakes.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have had interest in a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade for the last year. While they are sure to be the most aggressive to make a deal, there are questions about whether they have enough trade chips to get a deal done. Especially if the Bucks aren’t sold on Karl-Anthony Towns being the big return in a deal. It is why reports suggest they may need to involve another team, such as the Portland Trail Blazers.
However, the key piece of leverage that the NY Knicks do have is that they are believed to be Antetokounmpo’s preferred destination. With only one guaranteed year left on his contract, the NBA great can use the threat of an opt-out after next season and force a trade to the Knicks if he chooses to.
Detroit Pistons
While the Detroit Pistons are not expected to make a notable trade before the deadline, the No. 1 team in the conference has the player and draft assets to make a deal, as well as the cap space and expiring contracts to make the money work.
Detroit should seriously consider a trade. However, the organization is cautious about big moves and may hope a trade gets pushed to the summer. Then they can take a harder look at the idea if they don’t reach the Finals this spring.
Miami Heat
Another team that Giannis Antetokounmpo would reportedly welcome a move to is the Miami Heat. While they can’t offer a big name like Towns in return, they can build a package around some of their high-upside youngsters, Tyler Herro, and the draft assets the Knicks lack. It is part of why they are rumored to feel “confident” they can get a deal done.
San Antonio Spurs
Like the Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the best teams in the league right now with their young core. So, a case can be made that they don’t need to make a major trade like this during the season. However, if they did attempt a pursuit, they have the trade chips to get a deal done.
They would probably lose De’Aaron Fox and/or Stephon Castle in a trade. However, the idea of Giannis Antetokounmpo being paired up with Victor Wembanyama for the next few seasons should send a shiver of fear through the Western Conference.
Golden State Warriors
After Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL tear, the Golden State Warriors’ championship hopes are dead in the water. However, the Antetokounmpo trade market now being opened offers a chance to get right back into contention for the second half.
They reportedly have told Butler they would not move his contract in a deal. And it is unclear whether the Bucks would even want him at his age and after such a serious injury. If not, they would try to build a trade package around Jonathan Kuminga’s team-friendly contract, some of the other youngsters on their roster, and whatever first-round picks they can offer.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers are seen as a team willing to help facilitate a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. But what if they actually pursued a deal to bring him to Portland? They could be an intriguing dark horse if the NBA great is willing to punt on this season because they have a pair of his pals on the team.
Reports this week claim he would like to be reunited with former teammate Jrue Holiday somewhere. Plus, he had a friendship with Damian Lillard before Milwaukee released him in the summer. Both are in Portland. Furthermore, they have the draft assets (including the Bucks’ picks in upcoming seasons) as well as a talented youngster like Shaedon Sharpe that can be added in an impressive trade package.
