The San Antonio Spurs, now in year three with superstar Victor Wembanyama, are finally looking like more of a title hopeful in the Western Conference.
Most recently, the Spurs re-signed De’Aaron Fox to a new deal, kept reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, and brought in a strong supporting cast to pair with the French center. However, while the roster appears more apt to compete for a playoff spot or even a series win, they still fall behind other top teams in the West, like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.
But while the San Antonio front office looks to take advantage of the quick-rising Wembanyama, the team was recently urged to go ‘all in’ and take a chance on a player who appears to be the next superstar on the market.
In an article on Bleacher Report by Grant Hughes, the Spurs were urged to make a historic trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Greek star has expressed a tepid interest in joining a new team, and San Antonio has the assets (both players and picks) to add the two-time regular-season MVP and 2021 Finals MVP.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Pitch To The Spurs
San Antonio Spurs Acquire: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Acquire: Stephon Castle, Kelly Olynyk, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, 2026 first-round pick (via CHI; top-8 protected), 2026 first-round pick (most favorable of SAS or ATL), 2027 first-round pick (via ATL), 2030 first-round pick (most favorable of SAS, DAL, MIN; top-1 protected), 2031 first-round pick (most favorable of SAC or SAS)
The Bucks have made it clear they don’t want to have Antetokounmpo walk for nothing, and though the superstar has pledged his commitment to the team for this year, a trade package like this would be difficult to turn down.
Milwaukee made little progress over the summer after losing in the first round for the third-straight year, and with the minimal offseason additions, the team lags behind the other top contenders in the East.
They had a strong run with Antetokounmpo, winning their first title in 50 years, but at this point, it is hard to say the relationship between the star and the front office can be mended this season.
“Still, any deal sending Antetokounmpo away would have to stem from a trade demand,” Hughes wrote on the trade pitch. “In that not-so-far-fetched hypothetical, the Bucks may have to take what they can get—especially if Giannis makes it known San Antonio is his preferred destination. And when superstars of his ilk ask to be moved, they tend to have a landing spot in mind.”
If the Bucks were to do this deal, it would all but guarantee they enter a full rebuild, and it would likely only come if Antetokounmpo himself asked to be traded to San Antonio.
Deal Creates Best Duo In The NBA
For the Spurs, a deal like this is almost a no-brainer. Yes, it does send away many of their top assets the front office has spent years acquiring and developing, but it would bring in a top-five player in the NBA to pair with the rising superstar of Wembanyama.
“This is all about San Antonio acknowledging that contention windows are short, and that the kind of good health necessary for a sustained run isn’t a given,” Hughes added. “It’s easy to assume Wembanyama’s presence means a decade-plus of uninterrupted excellence, but urgency should be on the Spurs’ minds.”
The duo would turn into the best defensive frontcourt in the league. They would terrorize opposing offenses with their length and defensive versatility, meaning even if the Spurs sent out a lot of their supporting cast, the two on their own would create one of the best defenses in the league.
“Giannis and Wemby would combine to form the rangiest, most punishing defensive frontcourt tandem in the league. No opponent would ever feel comfortable shooting around the basket with so much length lurking.”
On offense, both could run the pick-and-roll, for what would likely be one of the most unstoppable plays in recent NBA memory. Additionally, with Wembanyama’s shooting and Antetokounmpo’s paint presence, the duo would stretch the floor to a level likely only seen by the late 2010s Golden State Warriors.
Though just a trade pitch, the Spurs likely have the best package to get Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee. It remains to be seen if a deal like this will come to fruition, but San Antonio has proven, with the Fox trade and extension, that they are willing to go all-in to take advantage of whatever healthy seasons they have with Wembanyama.
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