Perhaps the biggest developing storyline in the NBA is the unknown future of Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks. After leading the team to the title in 2021, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have won just one playoff series since, with the Greek star now examining his future with the team going forward.
This week, Shams Charania of ESPN wrote that Antetokounmpo was seriously considering a potential trade to the New York Knicks over the summer, but no deal was ever made. But with his uncertainty in Milwaukee, the franchise was recently urged to start looking at trade offers for their top star.
Writing for Yahoo Sports, Tom Haberstroh highlighted multiple reasons why it would be best for the Bucks to move Antetokounmpo after the recent developments, and the ‘kitchen sink‘ trade package they could get in return for the perennial MVP candidate.
“It’s time for Milwaukee to pull the plug and seek a trade package in which a team throws the kitchen sink at it: multiple first-round picks and players who can step in right away,” Haberstroh wrote. “In order to get back to title contention, it’s time for the Bucks to trade Giannis to the highest bidder.”
Antetokounmpo has said that his focus is on the upcoming season with the Bucks, but he did say that his mind could change on that stance at some point.
Bucks Urged To Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo
Haberstroh’s argument on why Milwaukee should trade Antetokounmpo at this point in his career is based on the haul of players and picks they could get back. As he mentioned, multiple teams have gone through a similar rebuilding path, in which each won the Finals in the past three years.
“Contrary to conventional wisdom, kitchen-sink deals work out more often for the seller than the buyer. The past three NBA champions (OKC, Boston, and Denver) were built in large part due to unloading superstars at the right time,” he wrote.
In what might be surprising to many, as Haberstroh pointed out, the team trading away their top star for a ‘kitchen sink‘ package in return often finds itself the eventual winners of the deal. Out of the 11 blockbuster trades that have happened over the past 12 years, only two directly led to titles: Anthony Davis’ move to the Los Angeles Lakers and Jrue Holiday going to the Bucks.
“The nine other deals haven’t even resulted in a Finals appearance at any point for the teams that acquired new superstars,” Haberstroh added. “Perhaps even more troubling is that many of these star acquisitions have ended up being little more than a rental.”
Whether it is the star not staying long in his new home, or growing injury risks, there are more reasons that many might think of as to why a team like Milwaukee would eventually move on from a player like Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks are also in a strange spot. After Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury, the team decided to waive him, as well as losing other top talent in free agency. They landed Myles Turner, but as of now, Milwaukee lags far behind the other title hopefuls in the East.
Trade Spots For The Greek Star
Regardless of all that, a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade would likely only come if he asks for one. The Greek star has been honest that he could change his mind at some point in the near future, and many insiders believe his time in Milwaukee is nearing an end.
While many teams, like the Knicks, might not have the trade assets Milwaukee would be looking for, there are plenty of other potential trades the franchise could entertain if it means getting back a ‘kitchen sink‘ package in return.
Those include a potential move to the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, or San Antonio Spurs. The last team has stood out in recent trade rumors, as compared to the rest, they have many more assets they’d be willing to give up.
Whether it is a haul of their young players and upcoming picks, the Spurs have by far the best deal to offer Milwaukee if it means pairing Antetokounmpo with Victor Wembanyama.
“The San Antonio Spurs could pair Giannis with Victor Wembanyama to form perhaps the most formidable front court since David Robinson and Tim Duncan wore the team’s colors,” Andy Bailey wrote on a potential Spurs trade for Antetokounmpo.
Both New York and the Golden State Warriors have been consistently mentioned as landing spots for Antetokounmpo, however, a deal for the superstar wouldn’t be so simple. Both teams would have to move off one of their top stars, and at this point in each franchise’s standing in their respective conferences, it is hard to say either would give that up for a big risk.
Should Antetokounmpo request a trade, the Bucks would see historic offers come in from around the league.
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