Jason Burgos
A new report explains why the Oklahoma City Thunder will need to make a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer for one very important reason.
The Thunder are engaged in what may be their toughest test yet in what they hope is a long-term dynasty for the franchise. While they went to seven games twice during their championship run last year, there are many around the game who believe that Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will dethrone OKC in the Western Conference Finals.
Beyond the series being a battle between the teams with the NBA’s two best records in 2025-26, fans and pundits are intrigued by the matchup because it could be a yearly occurrence. Since both teams have talented young cores. However, if the Thunder can’t overcome the Spurs now, when they are still inexperienced, being eliminated by San Antonio could be a consistent problem in the years ahead.
So what can the Thunder do to solve the Wembanyama problem? Well, according to some NBA executives, the only answer may be trading for the Milwaukee Bucks’ great this summer.
“Yeah, Giannis is a matchup solution for Wemby, so I could definitely see teams factoring that in when they’re discussing trading for him,” a Western Conference executive told The Athletic’s Sam Amick when discussing potential answers for Wembanyama in the years ahead.
Why a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade would make sense for the Thunder this summer
A case can be made for the Thunder to pass on a risky trade for the aging and often-injured Antetokounmpo. They have a good young core that has won it all. However, that was before this version of the Spurs, which has not only perennial MVP candidate Wembanyana, but also burgeoning stars in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
The Thunder are financially locked into Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. If that trio can’t overcome the Spurs, they are stuck with them and only have the ability to make moves around the margins. A loss in the West Finals could send a clear message that they need to trade for Antetokounmpo if they want to win another title in the next five years.
Furthermore, the Thunder could make one of the best offers in the NBA. Both Holmgren and Williams would be strong, young building blocks the Bucks would be intrigued by. Plus, the Thunder can offer two first-round picks in next month’s draft. A draft that is one of the deepest in years.
The idea will be moot if the Thunder advance to the NBA Finals again next month. But if they don’t, a trade for Antetokounmpo may be more seriously considered by the organization.
