With the New York Knicks’ exclusive window to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo now closed, the San Antonio Spurs could be the next team positioned to make a legitimate run at the Milwaukee Bucks superstar.
Spurs Positioned to Strike
ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks identified the Spurs as one of two teams — alongside the Houston Rockets — that could realistically assemble a trade package strong enough to tempt the Bucks if Antetokounmpo ever becomes available.
“Well, San Antonio still does even after acquiring De’Aaron Fox,” Marks said Tuesday on NBA Today. “They still have tradable picks to go out. Remember, they have that Atlanta pick, they have a swap in 2027, and they still have tradable contracts when you’re looking at players like Devin Vassell.”
Salary-cap expert Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron newsletter noted that the Spurs’ draft capital and cap flexibility make them a formidable dark horse. They can trade up to four first-round picks — in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032 — plus swaps with Boston and the better of Dallas or Minnesota.
“The Spurs are well below the first apron, so they can use the 125% expanded trade exception to acquire Antetokounmpo,” Gozlan wrote. “They’d only need to send out $43.1 million to acquire his $54.1 million salary. Players like Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Keldon Johnson could help make up that amount.”
The recent acquisition of De’Aaron Fox also strengthens their potential trade flexibility, though his new extension prevents him from being dealt until February. Still, Fox’s presence gives the Spurs more options — or a ready-made co-star if Antetokounmpo were to arrive in San Antonio.
Spurs Passed on Durant for a Bigger Vision
The Spurs’ calculated patience has long been tied to their vision of pairing Victor Wembanyama with another generational star. According to multiple reports, San Antonio notably stood pat when Kevin Durant became available this summer, resisting pressure to use its assets in pursuit of the veteran scorer.
Their reasoning was clear — the front office wanted to maintain flexibility for a younger, long-term fit. Antetokounmpo is seven years younger than Durant. With Wembanyama anchoring their rebuild and a deep chest of draft capital, the Spurs continue to position themselves for a franchise-altering move rather than a short-term splash.
Knicks Window Closes
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Shams Charania confirmed Tuesday that the Knicks’ exclusive window of trade discussions with Milwaukee has closed.
“That window is obviously shut,” Charania said on NBA Today. “We’re not in August anymore — we’re in October. If things reopen during the season with this whole Giannis Antetokounmpo element, that window is no longer exclusive to the Knicks. Other NBA teams will enter the picture. I expect it to go beyond just New York.”
While the Bucks engaged in brief exploratory talks with New York, both sides left unconvinced. Milwaukee reportedly felt the Knicks’ offer wasn’t strong enough, while New York believed the Bucks never seriously considered moving their franchise player.
That opens the door for other teams, like the Spurs, to get in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
The Perfect Fit Next to Wembanyama
If Antetokounmpo ever pushes for a trade, the Spurs’ combination of youth, assets, and cap flexibility could vault them to the top of the list. The idea of pairing Giannis with Wembanyama evokes memories of San Antonio’s legendary Tim Duncan–David Robinson frontcourt — only this time with modern spacing and unmatched athleticism.
For now, Antetokounmpo remains focused on chasing another title in Milwaukee. But if the Bucks stumble early, the Spurs’ quiet patience and long-term planning could finally pay off — setting the stage for the league’s next great superstar duo deep in the heart of Texas.
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