WuTang_OG wrote:Toronto Raptors
While Canada's lone NBA franchise may be a long shot to land Antetokounmpo (plus-3000), don't count it out entirely.
For starters, per Robinson's report, the Raptors (along with the Nets) have "emerged as destinations of interest" for the Greek star.
And it's no secret the organization has long admired the Bucks forward, stemming from his well-documented relationship with Masai Ujiri. Toronto's team president once helped Antetokounmpo's family secure Greek citizenship and even tried desperately to trade into the 2013 draft with hopes of selecting the unheralded Nigerian-born prospect.
Fast forward to 2025, and it's unlikely the desire to add him has waned much, if at all.
While the Raptors are in the midst of a rebuild, as proclaimed by Ujiri himself, his end goal of bringing Toronto another title remains at the forefront. And we all know he's no stranger to making big swings in pursuit of a championship.
Bringing in Antetokounmpo would undoubtedly be his boldest move since acquiring Kawhi Leonard, and given the forward is under contract for at least two more seasons (with a player option for 2027-28), it'd be far less anxiety-inducing than when the Raptors acquired the Leonard ahead of his impending free agency.
Toronto also checks plenty of boxes for Antetokounmpo. Not only is the team in the East, but it offers a large international market he could immediately dominate, all while having crafted the high-level culture he's looking for.
Ujiri proud of Raptors' on-court and off-court culture
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri reflects on his team's culture, giving them an A+ for both their on-court team-first mentality and off-court conduct.
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What could they offer? The Raptors would have to seriously leverage Antetokounmpo's reported interest in the franchise to keep up in trade talks with other suitors. But if the team gets to the negotiating table, it definitely won't show up empty-handed.
A trio of extension-eligible Raptors in RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Ochai Agbaji could help Milwaukee win now while allowing Toronto to match Antetokounmpo's $50 million-plus salary. The Raptors also have a pair of recent first-rounders in Gradey Dick and Ja'Kobe Walter they could include to fill out the prospect portion of a deal — or by tossing in some of their other promising 2024 rookies. As far as picks go, Toronto has 13 between now and 2031 and is in control of all seven first-rounders (including No. 9 in 2025) that could be packaged in any trade.
Even if the Raptors make it that far, they may face another conundrum should the Bucks ask for any of the team's three highest-paid players in Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram or Immanuel Quickley — presumably Barnes, considering his age and Antetokounmpo-like physical upside. And while Toronto would ultimately have to give it real consideration, expect Ujiri and co. to try and make it happen without depleting the team's top-end talent too heavily.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/six-potential-trade-destinations-for-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo/
I think a package of Barnes, Dick, Agbaji, 9th pick and one other FRP would be hard for other teams to match, without having to give up a lot:
OKC: would need to offer both Chet and J-Dub to top Raps offer. Plus, for salary matching they would probably need to throw in IH or Dort, plus other bench players. Not something Presti does.
Spurs: 2nd overall pick in 2025 does not top what Raps could offer. And of all the picks the Spurs could offer, what is the likelihood they turn into real players, that Raps could offer now. Bucks need players now. Bucks can't tank - they don't control their picks and don't want to be giving high picks to the Pelicans.
Rockets: would have to start with Amen, and how many of their other young stars? And the problem with Amen is he has one elite skill (D) that could get him the potential to earn a supermax, and do the Bucks want to be paying Amen a supermax? Also, while the overall talent level in Houston is high, and helped them get the 2 seed this year, none of that talent has proven to be elite offensively. Plus, Giannis just does not fit on the Rockets roster. His backcourt would be FVV & Brooks. Not exactly elite talent there.
Mavs: makes no sense. Their current star is AD. So unless they can trade him to get backcourt help for Giannis, who is leading this team from the backcourt?
Nets: have no players to offer to help the Bucks right now. The Bucks can't tank - they don't control their picks and don't want to be giving high picks to the Pelicans.
And the problem with most of these teams is they are in the West, which is a bloodbath to make the playoffs, and also to make it through the playoffs. There is very little margin for error or injuries. That is why Giannis is interested in the East, in addition to the bigger market.