Giannis blazes a trail towards a ring

[stamsammy]

This is laughably awful for Milwaukee. They'd let Giannis walk for nothing before doing a trade like this and rightfully so. Not a single true blue chip talent young player, no chance at being good in the interim, and only getting picks back 2 years down the road? It's an absolute trash offer to be extremely nice about it and it shows how media propaganda has influenced posters to get them to truly believe something like this is the best Milwaukee could hope for. Years of ESPN and trash podcasts suggesting godawful hypothetical NBA trades where superstars get given away for a poo poo platter "because their team has no other choice" or my favorite, the hilarious fake hypothetical boogeyman of "if they don't trade him then no stars in the future will ever sign with their team, they have to give him away".

You are not factoring the MASSIVE benefit Milwaukee gets by regaining control of 3 of their picks. Those 3 picks will be high lotto picks if Milwaukee tanks properly. THAT'S how you get your blue chip prospect. You could get 3 of them.

You are unlikely to get a young blue chip prospect by any other means. Teams with young blue chip prospects are either contenders (and therefore won't part with their prospect) or they are still in the rebuilding phase (so Giannis wouldn't want to go there). The only potentially available guy is Dylan Harper.

Exactly.

Franchises like MIL and POR need to draft their stars.

Thats why POR needs to keep those sweet MIL picks instead of pretending to contend.

That's the whole point - these picks aren't as valuable without this trade.
If Por keeps them, Mil has no reason to suck for all of those years - so those could be around ~10 if no trade, or with this trade, Mil could have them all be top 3~ (they could also trade Camara/RWII if they win too much)

[stamsammy]

Bucks aren’t trading Giannis and he isn’t going to want to be traded to Portland even if he did want a trade. Calling that Portland team a “super team” is also a huge stretch. Simple no.

Don't you think that team around Giannis contends for 2-3 years? It might be the best team surrounding him ever (comparable to the bucks team that won a chip, with Por still having picks to shore up the bench). This might be the best Por team ever as well, better than any of the Lillard or Roy led teams.

[brackdan70]

My thoughts are that is is light for the bucks and really nice for Portland. That team they have left could compete for the marbles in the west.
I think a Portland offer probably needs to include Deni and maybe more picks.

What if Port adds Yang or a pick to the original offer?

With Deni also yes.

[Andre 2999]

My thoughts are that is is light for the bucks and really nice for Portland. That team they have left could compete for the marbles in the west.
I think a Portland offer probably needs to include Deni and maybe more picks.

What if Port adds Yang or a pick to the original offer?

With Deni also yes.

So...Deni, Yang, Scoot, Camara, Clingan, Thybulle, Robert Williams, Jerami Grant, 29' Bucks pick, right to swaps in 28' and 30', and now more draft picks?

Absolutely not.

[brackdan70]

What if Port adds Yang or a pick to the original offer?

With Deni also yes.

So...Deni, Yang, Scoot, Camara, Clingan, Thybulle, Robert Williams, Jerami Grant, 29' Bucks pick, right to swaps in 28' and 30', and now more draft picks?

Absolutely not.

Probably not all the salary but all the value.
The question was add Yang or a pick. I don’t think that gets there without Deni. I can understand Portland not wanting to do it though.

[Pattycakes]

POR politely declines.

I'm skeptical that Portland declines. 1) The team is up for sale and it would go from potential play-in to contender. 2) Those picks look like gold right now, but they could look very different after a Giannis trade. 3) They're keeping Deni. This is Camara as the best player coming back in a Giannis trade with Scoot and negative filler.

I'm always bemused at fans refusing deals that are amazing for their team. If you could get Giannis for this package, you just say thanks very much I think I will.

Thanks for trying to cripple our future when Gianniss knees start falling apart in a couple years but believe us, we’re actually good… and trading all 3 mil picks plus 3 starters in Scoot, Camara and Clingan who our team identity is built around… like I get it Giannis get mvp, Giannis get title… but it’s not our responsibility to bail out Milwaukee’s horrible team management since such title

Good luck boys, but no we have no interest in such a deal. I’d like to see any other team even come close to such an offer as we hold MILs future in our hands now. We don’t need to bid against ourselves.

There’s no legs here

[giannis and 1]

Scenario:
It's the 2025 trade deadline, the bucks are around the 6th place in the east with giannis carrying the load, while PDX are around 9th in the west. Giannis has this year and the other, then a player option. He tells MKE that he wants a trade to a team he can contend with.

Enter the blazers - controlling the bucks future with swaps in 28' and 30', and owning their 29' unprotected pick. Deni looks primed to be MIP, and let's say Scoot looks like a future top 10 pg.

Milwaukee trades:
Giannis, Turner, Gary Trent

Portland trades:
Scoot, Camara, Clingan, Robert Williams, Jeremi Grant, Thybulle, 29' bucks pick, right to swap in 28' and 30'

Bucks post-trade:
Henderson - Porter Jr. - Camara - Kuzma - Clingan
Not a good team, but they can trade away RW for a pick, Camara is a potential future dpoy earning 2M, and Henderson/Clingan still have potential. Mostly, they now have their picks back.

Blazers post-trade:
Jrue - Sharpe - Deni - Giannis - Turner
a super team, hoping for Jrue to stay decent and for Sharpe to be able to shoot well. They have Trent off the bench, and Giannis is now contending, playing along a shooting C and Deni, his friend Jrue and Dame as well which he played with both.

***If this feels light for Milwaukee, Portland can add Yang Hansen (future Jokic) and/or picks for Jericho Sims.

That roster is worse than the Milwaukee Bucks current roster.

[Fitz303]

If a deal happens next offseason, and Portland unprotects 2027 1st to Chicago, Portland has a lot of draft capital available, obviously including Mil draft picks which would mean a lot for their future.

Portland could trade:
2026 1st (after pick is made)
2028 1st (best of Por/Orl, inc. Mil Pick swap extinguished)
2029 1st (best of Mil, Por, Bos)
2029 1st (worst of Mil, Por, Bos)
2030 Mil pick swap extinguished
2031 1st
2033 1st

Thats 6 firsts and pick swaps returned. Not many teams can match that when you take into account that's 3 of the following 4 years control of the Bucks draft picks. All that being said, I don't see Giannis signing off on a Portland move. I don't see him going any further west

[Myth]

Scenario:
It's the 2025 trade deadline, the bucks are around the 6th place in the east with giannis carrying the load, while PDX are around 9th in the west. Giannis has this year and the other, then a player option. He tells MKE that he wants a trade to a team he can contend with.

Enter the blazers - controlling the bucks future with swaps in 28' and 30', and owning their 29' unprotected pick. Deni looks primed to be MIP, and let's say Scoot looks like a future top 10 pg.

Milwaukee trades:
Giannis, Turner, Gary Trent

Portland trades:
Scoot, Camara, Clingan, Robert Williams, Jeremi Grant, Thybulle, 29' bucks pick, right to swap in 28' and 30'

Bucks post-trade:
Henderson - Porter Jr. - Camara - Kuzma - Clingan
Not a good team, but they can trade away RW for a pick, Camara is a potential future dpoy earning 2M, and Henderson/Clingan still have potential. Mostly, they now have their picks back.

Blazers post-trade:
Jrue - Sharpe - Deni - Giannis - Turner
a super team, hoping for Jrue to stay decent and for Sharpe to be able to shoot well. They have Trent off the bench, and Giannis is now contending, playing along a shooting C and Deni, his friend Jrue and Dame as well which he played with both.

***If this feels light for Milwaukee, Portland can add Yang Hansen (future Jokic) and/or picks for Jericho Sims.

That roster is worse than the Milwaukee Bucks current roster.

Which roster?

[stamsammy]

Scenario:
It's the 2025 trade deadline, the bucks are around the 6th place in the east with giannis carrying the load, while PDX are around 9th in the west. Giannis has this year and the other, then a player option. He tells MKE that he wants a trade to a team he can contend with.

Enter the blazers - controlling the bucks future with swaps in 28' and 30', and owning their 29' unprotected pick. Deni looks primed to be MIP, and let's say Scoot looks like a future top 10 pg.

Milwaukee trades:
Giannis, Turner, Gary Trent

Portland trades:
Scoot, Camara, Clingan, Robert Williams, Jeremi Grant, Thybulle, 29' bucks pick, right to swap in 28' and 30'

Bucks post-trade:
Henderson - Porter Jr. - Camara - Kuzma - Clingan
Not a good team, but they can trade away RW for a pick, Camara is a potential future dpoy earning 2M, and Henderson/Clingan still have potential. Mostly, they now have their picks back.

Blazers post-trade:
Jrue - Sharpe - Deni - Giannis - Turner
a super team, hoping for Jrue to stay decent and for Sharpe to be able to shoot well. They have Trent off the bench, and Giannis is now contending, playing along a shooting C and Deni, his friend Jrue and Dame as well which he played with both.

***If this feels light for Milwaukee, Portland can add Yang Hansen (future Jokic) and/or picks for Jericho Sims.

That roster is worse than the Milwaukee Bucks current roster.

This is the current bucks roster:
K. Porter, Jr. - GTJ - Kyle - Giannis - Turner
+Portis, Prince

This is the suggested blazers roster:
Jrue - Sharpe - Deni - Giannis - Turner
+GTJ, Lillard, Hansen
+Remaining picks to trade (all por picks, chi pick)

[stamsammy]

I'm skeptical that Portland declines. 1) The team is up for sale and it would go from potential play-in to contender. 2) Those picks look like gold right now, but they could look very different after a Giannis trade. 3) They're keeping Deni. This is Camara as the best player coming back in a Giannis trade with Scoot and negative filler.

I'm always bemused at fans refusing deals that are amazing for their team. If you could get Giannis for this package, you just say thanks very much I think I will.

Thanks for trying to cripple our future when Gianniss knees start falling apart in a couple years but believe us, we’re actually good… and trading all 3 mil picks plus 3 starters in Scoot, Camara and Clingan who our team identity is built around… like I get it Giannis get mvp, Giannis get title… but it’s not our responsibility to bail out Milwaukee’s horrible team management since such title

Good luck boys, but no we have no interest in such a deal. I’d like to see any other team even come close to such an offer as we hold MILs future in our hands now. We don’t need to bid against ourselves.

There’s no legs here

Por and Deni fan here, I don't see the current team getting to the WCF ever.
My projected celings are:
Deni could be an allstar tops, Scoot top 10 pg, clingan top 10 C, Sharpe who knows (top 5 sg or top 30?)...No superstar unless you're banking on Hansen which I wouldn't.
Potentially we could get a top 5 player with a pick, but again, bucks don't tank if they don't own the pick.

[Pattycakes]

I'm always bemused at fans refusing deals that are amazing for their team. If you could get Giannis for this package, you just say thanks very much I think I will.

Thanks for trying to cripple our future when Gianniss knees start falling apart in a couple years but believe us, we’re actually good… and trading all 3 mil picks plus 3 starters in Scoot, Camara and Clingan who our team identity is built around… like I get it Giannis get mvp, Giannis get title… but it’s not our responsibility to bail out Milwaukee’s horrible team management since such title

Good luck boys, but no we have no interest in such a deal. I’d like to see any other team even come close to such an offer as we hold MILs future in our hands now. We don’t need to bid against ourselves.

There’s no legs here

Por and Deni fan here, I don't see the current team getting to the WCF ever.
My projected celings are:
Deni could be an allstar tops, Scoot top 10 pg, clingan top 10 C, Sharpe who knows (top 5 sg or top 30?)...No superstar unless you're banking on Hansen which I wouldn't.
Potentially we could get a top 5 player with a pick, but again, bucks don't tank if they don't own the pick.

You just laid out a contender in your own prediction. Regardless, all I’m arguing is Portland doesn’t want Giannis enough to mortgage our entire future for his specific timeline. You cannot force a team that doesn’t want/need to pivot.

Also, if you follow Dames rehab journey, don’t just leave him out of the conversation. We’ve already made wcf with much worse teams.

[BlazersBroncos]

Thanks for trying to cripple our future when Gianniss knees start falling apart in a couple years but believe us, we’re actually good… and trading all 3 mil picks plus 3 starters in Scoot, Camara and Clingan who our team identity is built around… like I get it Giannis get mvp, Giannis get title… but it’s not our responsibility to bail out Milwaukee’s horrible team management since such title

Good luck boys, but no we have no interest in such a deal. I’d like to see any other team even come close to such an offer as we hold MILs future in our hands now. We don’t need to bid against ourselves.

There’s no legs here

Por and Deni fan here, I don't see the current team getting to the WCF ever.
My projected celings are:
Deni could be an allstar tops, Scoot top 10 pg, clingan top 10 C, Sharpe who knows (top 5 sg or top 30?)...No superstar unless you're banking on Hansen which I wouldn't.
Potentially we could get a top 5 player with a pick, but again, bucks don't tank if they don't own the pick.

You just laid out a contender in your own prediction. Regardless, all I’m arguing is Portland doesn’t want Giannis enough to mortgage our entire future for his specific timeline. You cannot force a team that doesn’t want/need to pivot.

Also, if you follow Dames rehab journey, don’t just leave him out of the conversation. We’ve already made wcf with much worse teams.

Dame potentially rehabbing well is another reason to make a move for Giannis. We could have a big-3 of Giannis, Deni and Dame and still field well above competent role players.

But again, I wouldnt include Clingan or Camara. They are role players we would need to field a true contender.

Offer would be Scoot, Sharpe, Yang, all the MIL FRP, the ORL FRP and filler.

[Pattycakes]

Por and Deni fan here, I don't see the current team getting to the WCF ever.
My projected celings are:
Deni could be an allstar tops, Scoot top 10 pg, clingan top 10 C, Sharpe who knows (top 5 sg or top 30?)...No superstar unless you're banking on Hansen which I wouldn't.
Potentially we could get a top 5 player with a pick, but again, bucks don't tank if they don't own the pick.

You just laid out a contender in your own prediction. Regardless, all I’m arguing is Portland doesn’t want Giannis enough to mortgage our entire future for his specific timeline. You cannot force a team that doesn’t want/need to pivot.

Also, if you follow Dames rehab journey, don’t just leave him out of the conversation. We’ve already made wcf with much worse teams.

Dame potentially rehabbing well is another reason to make a move for Giannis. We could have a big-3 of Giannis, Deni and Dame and still field well above competent role players.

But again, I wouldnt include Clingan or Camara. They are role players we would need to field a true contender.

Offer would be Scoot, Sharpe, Yang, all the MIL FRP, the ORL FRP and filler.

I don’t know what else we would use all those picks on, but again mortgaging our entire future for Giannis’s knees isn’t my cup of tea. Parting with all of those picks achieves that. Dame and Giannis didn’t even work before, so it’s ridiculous to expect it to somehow equal a title now.

[Village Idiot]

If a deal happens next offseason, and Portland unprotects 2027 1st to Chicago, Portland has a lot of draft capital available, obviously including Mil draft picks which would mean a lot for their future.

Portland could trade:
2026 1st (after pick is made)
2028 1st (best of Por/Orl, inc. Mil Pick swap extinguished)
2029 1st (best of Mil, Por, Bos)
2029 1st (worst of Mil, Por, Bos)
2030 Mil pick swap extinguished
2031 1st
2033 1st

Thats 6 firsts and pick swaps returned. Not many teams can match that when you take into account that's 3 of the following 4 years control of the Bucks draft picks. All that being said, I don't see Giannis signing off on a Portland move. I don't see him going any further west

Great overview. The Blazers have plenty of draft capital.

Given the assumptions presented in the OP, I would base the deal around Deni, Scoot and the ending contracts of Timelord and Thybulle, as well as a juicy haul of the picks you are showing for Giannis without including Turner from the Bucks side.

[BlazersBroncos]

You just laid out a contender in your own prediction. Regardless, all I’m arguing is Portland doesn’t want Giannis enough to mortgage our entire future for his specific timeline. You cannot force a team that doesn’t want/need to pivot.

Also, if you follow Dames rehab journey, don’t just leave him out of the conversation. We’ve already made wcf with much worse teams.

Dame potentially rehabbing well is another reason to make a move for Giannis. We could have a big-3 of Giannis, Deni and Dame and still field well above competent role players.

But again, I wouldnt include Clingan or Camara. They are role players we would need to field a true contender.

Offer would be Scoot, Sharpe, Yang, all the MIL FRP, the ORL FRP and filler.

I don’t know what else we would use all those picks on, but again mortgaging our entire future for Giannis’s knees isn’t my cup of tea. Parting with all of those picks achieves that. Dame and Giannis didn’t even work before, so it’s ridiculous to expect it to somehow equal a title now.

I think Dame and Giannis reboot is more likely to work in Portland post Dame injury. He will be more of a shooter and less of a ball dominant 2nd fiddle IMO. Deni would be 2nd fiddle. Add on to that a role playing core that simply blows what MIL put around Dame / Giannis out of the water (Jrue, Thybulle, Camara, RWIII, Clingan) and its not really a close comparison talent wise IMO.

IDK what the pick package would look like. I would hope the MIL picks and ORL FRP would be enough, leaving PDX to at least have control over their own FRPs moving forward. Regardless, the chances of any of those FRP returning a legit #1 option player - the main thing PDX (And most teams) are missing - is near zero. We IMO have the foundation with guys like the abovementioned role players / bubble 2/3 options in Deni / Dame. PDX needs a true #1. If we have a chance to get one, even if the age isnt totally ideal, you go do it IMO.

PDX would have a freakishly big team which would be fun as well - with +++ defenders at every starting position -

G - Jrue Holiday (6'3) / Damian Lillard (6'3)
G - Toumari Camara (6'8) / Damian Lillard (6'3)
F - Deni Avdiha (6'9) / Matisse Thybulle (6'5)
F - Giannis (7'0) / TPMLE
C - Donovan Clinga (7'2) / Robert Williams III (6'9)

[stamsammy]

Dame potentially rehabbing well is another reason to make a move for Giannis. We could have a big-3 of Giannis, Deni and Dame and still field well above competent role players.

But again, I wouldnt include Clingan or Camara. They are role players we would need to field a true contender.

Offer would be Scoot, Sharpe, Yang, all the MIL FRP, the ORL FRP and filler.

I don’t know what else we would use all those picks on, but again mortgaging our entire future for Giannis’s knees isn’t my cup of tea. Parting with all of those picks achieves that. Dame and Giannis didn’t even work before, so it’s ridiculous to expect it to somehow equal a title now.

I think Dame and Giannis reboot is more likely to work in Portland post Dame injury. He will be more of a shooter and less of a ball dominant 2nd fiddle IMO. Deni would be 2nd fiddle. Add on to that a role playing core that simply blows what MIL put around Dame / Giannis out of the water (Jrue, Thybulle, Camara, RWIII, Clingan) and its not really a close comparison talent wise IMO.

IDK what the pick package would look like. I would hope the MIL picks and ORL FRP would be enough, leaving PDX to at least have control over their own FRPs moving forward. Regardless, the chances of any of those FRP returning a legit #1 option player - the main thing PDX (And most teams) are missing - is near zero. We IMO have the foundation with guys like the abovementioned role players / bubble 2/3 options in Deni / Dame. PDX needs a true #1. If we have a chance to get one, even if the age isnt totally ideal, you go do it IMO.

PDX would have a freakishly big team which would be fun as well - with +++ defenders at every starting position -

G - Jrue Holiday (6'3) / Damian Lillard (6'3)
G - Toumari Camara (6'8) / Damian Lillard (6'3)
F - Deni Avdiha (6'9) / Matisse Thybulle (6'5)
F - Giannis (7'0) / TPMLE
C - Donovan Clinga (7'2) / Robert Williams III (6'9)

Agreed. That roster or the one in the OP would be contenders, which POR hasn't had in centuries. Both of them are also comparable to the MIL squad giannis won with, and IMO would topple Denver as the #2 favorite after OKC.

[R-DAWG]

Call me crazy, but the only way I see the Blazers involved in a Giannis trade is as the third team in the Knicks/Giannis deal - either at the deadline or more likely next summer.

Put it this way - what would Portland need to add to returning Milwaukee's 2029 1st and relinquishing the swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 to turn Jeremi Grant into OG Anunoby. Giannis/Grant make about $7MM less than Towns/Anunoby this year. Is Towns plus the Bucks regaining control of their draft from 28-30 plus some Knicks swaps enough? Does the Knicks 2026 1st plus their 2033 1st over the summer change things?

The bigger question I have is there anything from a young player perspective MIL can offer to New Orleans to regain control of their 27 1st?

I know this is a real long shot - but we have seen Rudy Gobert, Mikal Bridges, and Desmond Bane traded for massive packages. I could see Anunoby getting 70 cents on the dollar to what those guys went for.

[JRoy]

OG is fine player, but prefer to keep the pick and hope Grants contract becomes less onerous.

[Wolveswin]

Call me crazy, but the only way I see the Blazers involved in a Giannis trade is as the third team in the Knicks/Giannis deal - either at the deadline or more likely next summer.

Put it this way - what would Portland need to add to returning Milwaukee's 2029 1st and relinquishing the swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 to turn Jeremi Grant into OG Anunoby. Giannis/Grant make about $7MM less than Towns/Anunoby this year. Is Towns plus the Bucks regaining control of their draft from 28-30 plus some Knicks swaps enough? Does the Knicks 2026 1st plus their 2033 1st over the summer change things?

The bigger question I have is there anything from a young player perspective MIL can offer to New Orleans to regain control of their 27 1st?

I know this is a real long shot - but we have seen Rudy Gobert, Mikal Bridges, and Desmond Bane traded for massive packages. I could see Anunoby getting 70 cents on the dollar to what those guys went for.

I agree with you. Blazers should be the 3rd team.

I think it should be turning Grant into Towns (instead of OG), but either way.

To sweeten the deal for Blazers (if needed), Bucks/Knicks can offer Knicks swaps - so in essence Blazers still holding 1 to 2 1st swaps - just Knicks instead of Bucks. End result is Bucks getting their longterm future back (from Blazers).