OKC 2025-2026 Games Thread; "The Title Defense"

[Zagor]

I don't really know how the Cavs can afford to get Giannis without getting rid of way more than just Mobley

Well, some teams may offer better packages for Giannis, but there aren't many of them who are ready to win now.
Mobley's salary is 46m and Giannis is 54m. They just need to include Lonzo Ball contract and the salaries match. Add couple of picks and that's very decent offer.

No team can offer better player than Mobley.

[Kizz Fastfists]

The Bucks need to hit the reset. They have so much dead cap tied up in Lillard over the next several seasons they can't maximize around a new roster. Replacing Giannis with Mobley doesn't make them better and since the Bucks don't own their own picks for several years they can't effectively tank. Their plan A should be the Spurs for Castle, filler and picks. It would be similar to when OKC traded PG13 for SGA. The Spurs won't do it as they know their young core will be ready to contend next season with a much higher ceiling over a much longer timeline than if they give up that much for a 30 year old Giannis. If Giannis were 27 that would be a different situation.

Atlanta and NOLA are both interesting options because they own the Bucks draft picks and have young pieces that could start a rebuild. It would need to be a three team trade with Giannis to ATL and Trae to NOLA for it to really make sense, but NOLA is so bad they really need to just keep rebuilding. Giannis to LAL could be interesting with LeBron going to a 3rd team for youth and picks that go to the Bucks. The Bucks did this to themselves by stretching Lillard instead of just eating a down season and regrouping next year so I hope they end up getting stuck having to take back players from the NYK and getting no real draft compensation. Then trying desperately to trade off the player(s) they get while still failing to make the playoffs.

[Zagor]

The Bucks need to hit the reset.

But you clearly said they can't effectively tank because they don't control most of their picks.

Their plan A should be the Spurs for Castle, filler and picks.

Yes, Spurs can offer the most, but I don't think they will give Bucks what they want. Harper should be included in every offer. If I'm Bucks, I don't start talking without Harper included in deal.

Atlanta and NOLA are both interesting options because they own the Bucks draft picks and have young pieces that could start a rebuild. It would need to be a three team trade with Giannis to ATL and Trae to NOLA for it to really make sense, but NOLA is so bad they really need to just keep rebuilding. Giannis to LAL could be interesting with LeBron going to a 3rd team for youth and picks that go to the Bucks. The Bucks did this to themselves by stretching Lillard instead of just eating a down season and regrouping next year so I hope they end up getting stuck having to take back players from the NYK and getting no real draft compensation. Then trying desperately to trade off the player(s) they get while still failing to make the playoffs.

There is no way Giannis would go to NOP. ATL is interesting option but it's also questionable that Giannis would want to go there.

ATL could offer Jalen Johnson, NOP pick and two future FRP's. Keep in mind that Bucks are getting least favourable 2026. pick between them and Pelicans.
Depending on the lottery, Bucks could end with something like 2nd and 4th first round pick in excellent 2026. draft.
But I'm pretty sure Giannis doesn't want to go to Atlanta.

That's why I mentioned Orlando, Cleveland and Toronto. They check both conditions, they can give Bucks very good player and they have rosters ready to win.

Bucks will probably keep their 2026. first round lottery pick. And with Mobley or Barnes or Banchero, that's something to build for future. Keep in mind that they will hold most of their future picks if they are better than Portland.

[Kizz Fastfists]

Bucks will probably keep their 2026. first round lottery pick. And with Mobley or Barnes or Banchero, that's something to build for future. Keep in mind that they will hold most of their future picks if they are better than Portland.

The Bucks do not own their 2026 pick. They get the least favorable between Atlanta, NOLA and Milwaukee. Right now that would be Atlanta and if they win the play-in that is not a lottery pick. They have no pick in 2027 and 2029 and I'm not even trying to figure out what pick they'll end up with in 2028 with all the possible ways they end up with a pick in the 20s there. The Bucks are not going to be competitive for a long time. Replacing Giannis with Mobley doesn't make them better and with no tradable picks, until 2031, and limited cap space they aren't in a position to get better any time soon.