Legendary NFL coach Invoice Parcells as soon as mentioned, “Should you’re fascinated by retirement, you’re already retired.” That logic might be utilized to loads of monumental modifications we face in life, from relationships to jobs.
It additionally may apply to a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo cut up with the Milwaukee Bucks. The 2-time MVP is reportedly “open-minded” to a trade for the first time, and whereas that’s not but asking to be moved, it seems like if he’s fascinated by asking for a commerce, he’s asking for a commerce.
What can be the perfect Antetokounmpo touchdown spots? All 29 groups will name, however listed below are seven to control.
BEST OFFERS
San Antonio Spurs
If Antetokounmpo is critical about successful one other ring as his highest precedence, he ought to push for a commerce to San Antonio, pairing with Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox.
With the Greek Freak subsequent to the still-improving Wembanyama, this group can be elite defensively from Day 1 and may very well be an actual menace subsequent 12 months, even within the deep West. There can be a number of years when each Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama can be top-10 gamers within the league on the identical time. Then, whereas Antetokounmpo’s recreation fades, Wembanyama’s will proceed to rise and maintain the Spurs in rivalry for years.
Due to the NBA Draft Lottery ping pong balls, the Spurs might be able to put collectively the perfect commerce package deal, too. San Antonio can supply this 12 months’s No. 2 decide (which will likely be Dylan Harper) and the No. 14 decide (Atlanta’s), the reigning Rookie of the Yr Stephon Citadel, plus Harrison Barnes and Keldon Johnson to stability the salaries. The Spurs even have their very own 2029 first-round decide that may very well be a part of the package deal. That package deal is a soar begin on a rebuild.
(Be aware: The Spurs have leaked that they like Harper and want to keep the pick, and he possible would match effectively, however that’s additionally precisely what they need to say even when they’re open to buying and selling the decide.)
Houston Rockets
Houston is one other group that may supply Antetokounmpo prompt rivalry for a title and ship a package deal of gamers and picks again to Milwaukee that might match the haul it seeks.
Houston completed because the No. 2 seed within the West this season and performed high-level protection, however confirmed within the playoffs that it lacked a real No. 1 possibility on the offensive finish. Antetokounmpo suits that invoice completely — the Rockets’ protection would stay elite, they’d be a transition terror off of turnovers and missed photographs, and Antetokounmpo provides them a half-court offensive focus.
Houston has optionality, this commerce might be structured in many alternative methods. Houston can be open to buying and selling Alperen Sengun, league sources advised NBC Sports activities, however the Bucks could also be greater on a Jalen Inexperienced-based commerce (relying on how they charge Inexperienced). Jabari Smith Jr. is probably going a part of any deal, and the Rockets have loads of future first-round picks — their very own and others, resembling Brooklyn and Phoenix picks — that may very well be a part of the commerce. It possible takes a 3rd group to make the mathematics work, however it’s very doable.
Brooklyn Nets
Trading for Antetokounmpo is Brooklyn’s Plan A. They’ve loads of future draft picks they will throw into the deal (together with No. 8 this 12 months), with Cameron Johnson (and possibly D’Angelo Russell) on the coronary heart of the participant package deal that goes again to Milwaukee.
The larger query: Is that this a commerce Antetokounmpo would help? Whereas there have been reviews about him in search of an even bigger highlight — and being in New York is a shiny highlight — this is able to be shifting from one group that may’t contend proper now regardless of having him on the roster to a different group that might not be able to contend regardless of having him on the roster. Nonetheless, the Nets have to be close to the highest of the listing of contenders.
GLAMOUR FRANCHISES
There are reports that after a dozen years in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo is interested in a bigger market and a brighter highlight. Nevertheless, these trades are extra complicated to assemble and may require Antetokounmpo demanding to go to a particular franchise (“Commerce me to X or nothing”) to make it occur. Nonetheless, listed below are some groups to look at.
One word: The Bucks don’t management their very own first-round decide for the following 5 years after a sequence of win-now strikes (resembling buying and selling for Damian Lillard), so they need loads of picks again as a part of any commerce. That is a matter when speaking to different contenders.
Golden State Warriors
As evidenced by the Jimmy Butler commerce, the Warriors are all-in to win one other ring in the course of the Stephen Curry period. Touchdown Antetokounmpo would undoubtedly make them contenders, even in a deep West. That mentioned, the most reliable reports after the Warriors’ Curry-less playoff exit are that Golden State will not be prone to be concerned within the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, the Warriors need to spherical out the roster round Butler and Curry. That mentioned, by no means depend out Joe Lacob instantly pushing for it.
If the Warriors get entangled, a commerce possible consists of a sign-and-trade of Jonathan Kuminga plus different gamers (Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II are choices) and a few of their very own future first-round picks for Antetokounmpo. How excited the Bucks can be about that is determined by their emotions about Kuminga (he’s polarizing), and even then it’s not the perfect supply on the market due to the picks. Antetokounmpo must push for it. (In concept, the Warriors might prolong Jimmy Butler then commerce him straight up for Antetokounmpo, however in actuality there isn’t a approach the Bucks commerce for a disgruntled Butler who wouldn’t need to be there.)
Miami Warmth
Miami is a glamorous vacation spot that has been mid for a few years, and must shake issues as much as win now, so they are going to kick the tires on an Antetokounmpo commerce. The issue is that the Warmth should not have the draft picks that the Bucks will search in any rebuild to make this commerce possible. Wage-wise, a commerce of Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, and Nikola Jovic works (though the Bucks possible need Tyler Herro over Wiggins), however Miami can solely commerce one or two future first-rounders — their very own in 2030 and past — and that’s not going to entice a rebuilding Bucks group.
Nonetheless, count on the Warmth rumors to swirl as a result of Pat Riley has a approach of constructing issues occur.
Los Angeles Lakers/New York Knicks
We’re combining the 2 largest market groups within the NBA into one as a result of it’s basically the identical story: Sure they’d have an interest; Sure they’re ok that including Antetokounmpo might put them excessive; However no, they don’t have the picks and gamers to drag this commerce off.
The Lakers might base a commerce round Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, plus different smaller-salaried gamers (Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht), and certain must get a 3rd group concerned. Nevertheless, the actual drawback is that the Lakers solely have one first-round decide they will commerce, their very own in 2031 (or 2032, after July 1). The Bucks will need a number of first-rounders, ideally from a number of groups (in order to not have all their eggs in a single basket, so to talk), and the Lakers can’t supply that.
New York is in the identical scenario — they traded each decide they might final 12 months to Brooklyn within the Mikal Bridges deal and don’t have any first-rounders they will supply that may curiosity the Bucks. A commerce may very well be constructed round OG Anunoby and others, however a take care of New York doesn’t convey the younger gamers and picks the Bucks will search.
