The Milwaukee Bucks have been doing everything they can to keep superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo happy.
They stretched and waived the contract of Damian Lillard to create cap space to sign former Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner and former Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony.
They were also able to re-sign Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. to short-term deals.
But is it going to be enough to make the Bucks a contender in the Eastern Conference?
Most likely not, and with their 2021 Finals MVP set to become extension eligible next summer, Antetokounmpo can start to turn up the pressure on Milwaukee’s front office to force a trade to a destination of his choosing.
Multi-Team Trade Proposal Sees Bucks, Knicks, and Rockets Swap Stars
In a recent trade idea proposed by Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, the Milwaukee Bucks would get ahead of the coming storm with Antetokounmpo and trade him for a haul to kickstart a rebuild.
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Fred VanVleet, Josh Hart, Reed Sheppard, a 2028 first-round pick from Houston, a 2030 first-round pick from Houston, and four second-round picks from New York
New York Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Houston Rockets receive: Jalen Brunson
“The Bucks, meanwhile, would get a better upside play in Reed Sheppard than either of the previous deals provide. It still gives Milwaukee a fair bit of draft assets. And although Fred VanVleet will miss this entire season recovering from a torn ACL, he and Josh Hart could hold some trade value before their contracts end in 2027. (Hart is under contract for 2027-28, but it’s a team option.)” wrote Bailey.
In what would be a monster deal between the three teams, the Bucks can finally replenish their depleted draft capital from trying to build a contender for the last half-decade.
They’ll also get some culture guys in Fred VanVleet and Josh Hart, who both were major tone-setters when they landed with their new teams in Houston and New York.
Why the Knicks and Rockets Make the Deal
For the New York Knicks, trading away Jalen Brunson would be a tough pill to swallow, to say the least.
The superstar point guard has flipped New York’s fortune on its head, giving the city basketball success for the first time in almost 25 years.
But Antetokounmpo is too big a star for any team to pass up, let alone the Knicks.
“The deal would leave New York awfully thin in the backcourt, but point Giannis would help on that front. And surrounding him with shooting and length from KAT, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby would make the Knicks attack a nightmare,” continued Bailey.
As for the Houston Rockets, the trade is a no-brainer, considering the lack of a true veteran point guard on the roster.
With a 37-year-old Kevin Durant in the mix, the Rockets can ill-afford a lost season in the twilight of the time two-time Finals MVP’s career.
Brunson slides right into Houston’s starting lineup, filling the void left behind by VanVleet, and creates a fierce contender in a loaded Western Conference.
“If the Rockets are going to win a title with KD, it needs to happen in the next couple years. The chances probably diminish with each passing season. And Brunson gets them a lot closer to the ultimate goal in 2026 than developmental minutes for Sheppard and Thompson would,” Bailey wrote.
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