WT: Giannis Antetokounmpo's Future With Bucks 'The Elephant In The Room' In NBA

[Airmiess]

Scottie Barnes and scraps

[AbC?]

This might've been a good opportunity for the Raptors if the front office had done anything in the way of meaningful asset accumulation the last 5 years. Barnes sucks, so of course you offer him for Giannis, but even if you somehow land him you aren't winning anything pairing him with the oft-injured Ingram and the rest of the mediocrity that would remain. With or without Giannis the only hope for this team starts and ends with Cooper Flagg.

[WuTang_OG]

Hoop collective pod

Last 10 Bucks playoff games:

Record = 1-9

Giannis averaged 30pts, 16reb, 6asts over 50% fg

If that doesnt tell Giannis then i dont know what will. If he stays he truly is loyal i just dont see it happening. He delivered a chip. Stars are aligning for him to leave

[Scizzup]

I imagine our best offer would be something like Barnes, Barrett, Dick, and 3 1st round picks for Giannis and Portis. This is if Portis picks up his player option, otherwise would have to rework the offer a bit.

Quickley / Shead
Agbaji / Walter
Ingram / Battle
Giannis / Mogbo
Poeltl / Portis

That's a top 4 team in the East if healthy, but we'd need a huge season out of Brandon Ingram to make a serious run at the title, and Giannis only has two seasons left on his contract. It would definitely be a risk to cash in so many assets right now, given where we are in terms of our roster, but it would be a fun risk.

Why would Bucks take RJ? and with only 3 1sts? RJ would need to get sent to a 3rd team for more asset.

also, c'mon look at that roster.. that team is a 2nd round fodder, they have no volume shooting and the defense won't be all that great. Giannis leaving Bucks for lateral move or minor upgrade seems weird. Realistically this is not a team that is Giannis away. Dame is better than Ingram and Bucks still looks unbalanced most of the season. None of those bench players are even as good as Ty Jerome (cavs) or PP (celtics).

[Pointgod]

Bucks would love to get a big like Poeltl. Not a lot of teams have better bigs to offer.
Lopez is aging and they basically don't have a center at the moment.

Poeltl + RJ + Dick + Ochai/Walter + 3-4 First Round Picks

That's a pretty competitive offer IMO.

Who are the Bucks pairing these guys with with Giannis gone? The Bucks have absolutely nothing now without Giannis - they will be worse than the Wizards once Giannis leaves.

They probably need to tank next year for AJ and rebuild.

One thing we gotta realize is that the Bucks literally can’t tank. New Orleans has a pick swap next year, their pick in 2027, Portland has a pick swap in 2028, their pick in 2029 and a swap in 2030.

So either they make a trade to get their picks back, remain a competitive playoff team or get surplus of picks to make up for the picks they’re losing. And they cant trade Lillard to get back picks.

They’re truly **** so they can’t afford to make the wrong move here.

[Tacoma]

I imagine our best offer would be something like Barnes, Barrett, Dick, and 3 1st round picks for Giannis and Portis. This is if Portis picks up his player option, otherwise would have to rework the offer a bit.

Quickley / Shead
Agbaji / Walter
Ingram / Battle
Giannis / Mogbo
Poeltl / Portis

That's a top 4 team in the East if healthy, but we'd need a huge season out of Brandon Ingram to make a serious run at the title, and Giannis only has two seasons left on his contract. It would definitely be a risk to cash in so many assets right now, given where we are in terms of our roster, but it would be a fun risk.

Why would Bucks take RJ? and with only 3 1sts? RJ would need to get sent to a 3rd team for more asset.

also, c'mon look at that roster.. that team is a 2nd round fodder, they have no volume shooting and the defense won't be all that great. Giannis leaving Bucks for lateral move or minor upgrade seems weird. Realistically this is not a team that is Giannis away. Dame is better than Ingram and Bucks still looks unbalanced most of the season. None of those bench players are even as good as Ty Jerome (cavs) or PP (celtics).

I am of this mindset as well. The time to get Giannis was back around 2020 when we had a 53-win team (2nd best in the league) led by a proven #2 guy in Siakam and Lowry who could still average 19 ppg and an up and coming OG. That team took BOS to Game 7 in playoffs 2nd round. Adding Giannis would've made us contenders.

Circa 2025 and this is a team is likely to be a play-in team next season with around 40-45 wins tops. Adding Giannis (with Barnes going the other way) might get us into the East's Top 4 but still behind BOS and CLE. We'd be a good team but on the 2nd level below contender level. It would not be worth giving up Barnes plus a boatload of draft picks & swaps to get Giannis.

Our Giannis dream died when he re-signed with MIL back in 2020. Today's team is not a Giannis away from a Championship.

[WuTang_OG]

Watch on YouTube

[Jcity08]

Who are the Bucks pairing these guys with with Giannis gone? The Bucks have absolutely nothing now without Giannis - they will be worse than the Wizards once Giannis leaves.

They probably need to tank next year for AJ and rebuild.

One thing we gotta realize is that the Bucks literally can’t tank. New Orleans has a pick swap next year, their pick in 2027, Portland has a pick swap in 2028, their pick in 2029 and a swap in 2030.

So either they make a trade to get their picks back, remain a competitive playoff team or get surplus of picks to make up for the picks they’re losing. And they cant trade Lillard to get back picks.

They’re truly **** so they can’t afford to make the wrong move here.

I did not consider that. Damn.

[D.Brasco]

Coming to Toronto would be like a return to home for him

[CPT]

https://theringer.com/2025/04/30/nba/giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-rumors-milwaukee-bucks-offseason

Orlando Magic
Bucks receive: Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, Jett Howard, and Orlando’s first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031, with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 for Giannis.

Atlanta Hawks
Bucks receive: Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, and a modest assortment of draft picks for Giannis.

Detroit Pistons
Bucks receive: Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, Ron Holland, Tobias Harris, a 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick, and 2031 first-round pick for Giannis.

Houston Rockets
Bucks receive: Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and first-round picks in 2025 and 2027, plus one of the Suns’ future firsts

Oklahoma City Thunder
Bucks receive: Isaiah Hartenstein, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic, Aaron Wiggins, Dillon Jones, two to four first-rounders, and some leftover quinoa from Sam Presti

San Antonio Spurs
Bucks receive: Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and a plethora of picks and swaps for Giannis.

Indiana Pacers
Bucks receive: Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, and a bounty of picks

A bunch of fake trades in this article, with explanations of each. Mostly just kicking ideas around for fun, in The Ringer's usual style.

For me the Hawks actually jumped out the most as something I hadn't considered but might make the most sense for everyone involved. There is a risk it is just a worse version of Dame/Giannis though.

[mdenny]

Giannis to Houston make sense. They have a foundation on defense and those Suns picks are interesting. The only issue, which a lot off team will face is trading for him will deplete their roster. I also think the Amen thing is just talk, if Giannis wants to go there and will resign they will include Amen and give up fewer picks.

Idk if Giannis would go to Boston (J brown) but them and OKC (Jdub) are the easiest plug in teams for him (if Presti is interested). Maybe he can recruit KD to Houston with him.

I don't see him coming to Toronto. Scottie+ filler and 2 first + 2 swaps is gone at the very least in that trade. So won't be cap space for FA and few picks to trade for help. Giannis on a bad 3 point shooting team with Ingram or IQ being his 2nd best player is a 2nd round exit at best. first round if they get a bad matchup.


I think its more likely Giannis is still on the Bucks next year.

Houston's best approach is to build a package around sengun. They could also add in a prospect or two (ie Eason) and multiple picks. But the Bucks could insist on Amen.

If giannis goes on the market....Houston and OKC would have to pass for any other team to have a shot. The raps would be way up there after those 2 teams though. Perhaps even 3rd. The Nets aren't ready to make that move yet.

[MessiahUjiri]

Giannis to Houston make sense. They have a foundation on defense and those Suns picks are interesting. The only issue, which a lot off team will face is trading for him will deplete their roster. I also think the Amen thing is just talk, if Giannis wants to go there and will resign they will include Amen and give up fewer picks.

Idk if Giannis would go to Boston (J brown) but them and OKC (Jdub) are the easiest plug in teams for him (if Presti is interested). Maybe he can recruit KD to Houston with him.

I don't see him coming to Toronto. Scottie+ filler and 2 first + 2 swaps is gone at the very least in that trade. So won't be cap space for FA and few picks to trade for help. Giannis on a bad 3 point shooting team with Ingram or IQ being his 2nd best player is a 2nd round exit at best. first round if they get a bad matchup.


I think its more likely Giannis is still on the Bucks next year.

Houston's best approach is to build a package around sengun. They could also add in a prospect or two (ie Eason) and multiple picks. But the Bucks could insist on Amen.

If giannis goes on the market....Houston and OKC would have to pass for any other team to have a shot. The raps would be way up there after those 2 teams though. Perhaps even 3rd. The Nets aren't ready to make that move yet.

Don’t discount the Magic and the Spurs.

Magic can offer Paolo (#1 pick + AllStar), Anthony Black (young PG), plus 2 1sts this year, and plus atleast 2 more future 1sts, and like 3-4 2nds.

Spurs can offer Castle (ROY), Sochan (young SF), 2 1sts this year, plus another 3 future 1sts easily.


To me, Orlando and San Antonio are more appealing if I was Giannis, and looking to go into a championship setup. If he goes to a 68 win OKC team, people will treat him like KD to GSW and put an asterisk next to his legacy.

[Scizzup]

Giannis to Houston make sense. They have a foundation on defense and those Suns picks are interesting. The only issue, which a lot off team will face is trading for him will deplete their roster. I also think the Amen thing is just talk, if Giannis wants to go there and will resign they will include Amen and give up fewer picks.

Idk if Giannis would go to Boston (J brown) but them and OKC (Jdub) are the easiest plug in teams for him (if Presti is interested). Maybe he can recruit KD to Houston with him.

I don't see him coming to Toronto. Scottie+ filler and 2 first + 2 swaps is gone at the very least in that trade. So won't be cap space for FA and few picks to trade for help. Giannis on a bad 3 point shooting team with Ingram or IQ being his 2nd best player is a 2nd round exit at best. first round if they get a bad matchup.


I think its more likely Giannis is still on the Bucks next year.

Houston's best approach is to build a package around sengun. They could also add in a prospect or two (ie Eason) and multiple picks. But the Bucks could insist on Amen.

If giannis goes on the market....Houston and OKC would have to pass for any other team to have a shot. The raps would be way up there after those 2 teams though. Perhaps even 3rd. The Nets aren't ready to make that move yet.

I agree. Nets are in the same boat as the Raps though. They don't have Scottie but they have a lot more picks. I think if they get top 2 pick in this draft then it becomes really interesting. They would be able to get Giannis and a maybe swing for KD cheap while still have relative good roleplayers that makes sense around them.

The thing is Giannis would want to play with someone he feels he can win with or just go to a bigger market (that may attract said star). Giannis leaving US market to play for a team with no real shot at contending just seems unrealistic. Ingram/Giannis/Poetl if those 3 are the core after the trade also just don't fit.

I didn't think about the Spurs but I saw a post earlier and they are intriguing.

[Pointgod]

This might've been a good opportunity for the Raptors if the front office had done anything in the way of meaningful asset accumulation the last 5 years. Barnes sucks, so of course you offer him for Giannis, but even if you somehow land him you aren't winning anything pairing him with the oft-injured Ingram and the rest of the mediocrity that would remain. With or without Giannis the only hope for this team starts and ends with Cooper Flagg.

Barnes doesn’t suck, but there’s a reason that smart teams focus on accumulating draft picks and assets when they rebuild instead of doing whatever it is we did. That’s why I’ve been saying that we should have been tanking since the Wemby draft. Imagine if we had sold higher on some of our vets? We would be talking about either keeping Scottie or Amen Thompson to pair with Giannis. Masai dropped the ball not trading Van Vleet to the Bucks for a future first, it would be another leverage point for negotiations. You’re right, if we jump into the top 4 it does make any package we can offer more attractive but now we’re just wishing on a prayer

[Scase]

I would also look to move Lillard and Kuzma. It would be the start of a full teardown.

Lillard is literally not tradeable.

Kuzma has negative value and would need assets attached.

Yep. Lillard's out next year, then he's a 36 year old expiring (I'm assuming he takes his PO) in 26-27. Maybe the Bucks get lucky and get something back for him at the deadline if he can show he's healthy and productive. But just trading for his $58m contract will be hard enough salary wise, so what kind of assets can they really hope to return for a old mercenary? Maybe a single 1st round pick equivalent plus expiring salary? I don't know who'd pay more than that.

And yeah with Kuzma, I think the Bucks would need to attach him to any Giannis trade just to get him off their books. It's bad.

The thing about moving kuz, he's another 24mil on that trade. You're talking 80mil in salary needing to be moved, IMO they'd get better value for Giannis holding onto Kuz vs trying to offload him. If they trade Giannis, they arent trying to compete and Kuz has shown on WAS that he's not exactly a needle mover.

Makes sense to get off that contract, but I think they do better holding onto him than forcing him onto any Giannis deal.

[CazOnReal]

One other thing regarding Giannis: Masai and Bobby have, to this day, yet to make a single trade where more than 2 first-round picks have been involved, let alone multiple firsts and swaps. They've traded 4 firsts in 4 years (2022-25, albeit the 2024 & 25 deadline moves didn't involve their own firsts) but all at once? Nope.

Making an all-in godfather offer (Which is what you'd need to even come close to the Rockets or Spurs best offer) is not their style and if they were reluctant to pull off that rumored trade for Dame, I see no reason why that would change now even with the express acknowledgment that Giannis is a far better player than Dame was even coming off of what is arguably Lillard's best regular season the year he got traded.

I am of this mindset as well. The time to get Giannis was back around 2020 when we had a 53-win team (2nd best in the league) led by a proven #2 guy in Siakam and Lowry who could still average 19 ppg and an up and coming OG. That team took BOS to Game 7 in playoffs 2nd round. Adding Giannis would've made us contenders.

Circa 2025 and this is a team is likely to be a play-in team next season with around 40-45 wins tops. Adding Giannis (with Barnes going the other way) might get us into the East's Top 4 but still behind BOS and CLE. We'd be a good team but on the 2nd level below contender level. It would not be worth giving up Barnes plus a boatload of draft picks & swaps to get Giannis.

Our Giannis dream died when he re-signed with MIL back in 2020. Today's team is not a Giannis away from a Championship.

Precisely this. Even if you somehow have something left to retool the rest of the roster (Let's say you win the 2nd overall pick and trade Poeltl to a 3rd team, Scottie + RJ + 2nd with...I dunno, a first in 2026 and 28 along with the Jak assets to the Bucks), it won't be enough to turn this into a contender in the next 2 seasons - and you only have 2 seasons to make a deep run or win since Giannis has a player option in 2027.

Giannis had said - publicly I might add - he will not every play for the Raptors. I see no reason for him to change his mind, and I think it's silly to pretend like Masai's connection to him is strong enough to somehow overlook the reality of the situation: He didn't want to be here in 2020 when we still had a solid enough core to put around him.

[Syd-TK3]

So happy to see lebron out

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Masai 'bout to trade for Giannis at 3 am on a random day in August

[CPT]

I'm still very confused by this idea that "trading for Giannis doesn't make us the title favourites (or contenders) so we shouldn't do it."

I'm not convinced a player currently on the roster will ever win a playoff series as a member of the Raptors, let alone a championship. What exactly are we risking?

Getting a Giannis is the hard part. If Masai is such a genius, he'll get him a supporting cast. That part is a lot easier than getting a team built around Barnes or Ingram to the second round and beyond.

(As an aside... can we just be a HCA team with the best player in the conference? Would that be such a bad thing? This isn't about not having patience for a rebuild, it's about not having faith in the "rebuild" that seems to already be finished, if it ever really started.)

[WuTang_OG]

Read on Twitter