Giannis Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes: 3 Surprise Teams That Could Acquire The Superstar
While we have been talking for years about a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, it finally seems like a reality. The Milwaukee Bucks have opened up lines of communication to other teams to try and find a place for the player they drafted over a decade ago. They have been very specific about what they are looking for and with the new CBA, there are strict rules on the execution of trades. The list of teams interested came out quickly. However, who are the dark horse candidates?
Giannis Antetokounmpo Heads To New Orleans
New Orleans Pelicans Get: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis
Milwaukee Bucks Get: Zion Williamson, Dejontae Murray, Yves Messi, DeAndre Jordan, 2028 1st Round Pick, 2030 1st Round Pick, 2032 1st Round Pick
The Pelicans seem eager to be aggressive in improving their team. In last year’s draft, they traded this year’s first round pick to get Derek Queen. Clearly they don’t care about picks as much and are happy to send them off to acquire someone of Giannis’ talent. New Orleans can now build around Giannis and Trey Murphy, who provides a much needed shooting element.
For Milwaukee this one may seem a little odd. Williamson would have been a prize five years ago but injuries and questions of motivation have dampened excitement. Murray hasn’t looked the same since his Achilles injury and Jordan is there simply for salary filler. Messi is a nice young asset but projects more as a good role player than a future superstar. The attractiveness of this trade is the picks. If the Pelicans continue to underperform, those picks could be gold in half a decade.
Oklahoma City Decides To Go All-In
Oklahoma City Thunder Get: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Get: Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic, Jared McCain, 12th overall pick, 2028 1st Round Pick (Swap With DAL), 2030 1st Round Pick, 2032 1st Round Pick
The rich get richer. It is truly bonkers how much draft capital GM Sam Presti has to work with. Giving up four first round picks seems very steep until you realize how much talent they already have on the team and how many picks they would still have. They can also do this trade without having to give up any of their core pieces. Giving up Dort’s defense is the biggest loss.
For the Bucks, getting another lottery pick in this year’s draft is great. This is a deep draft and the back half of the lottery could yield franchise-shaping players. Wallace is a quality player who is stuck behind a log jam of talent on OKC. Topic and McCain could become valuable pieces and Dort can start right away. The picks could become something as the dynasty winds down in the early 2030s.
Charlotte Decides The Time Is Now
Charlotte Hornets Get: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Get: Miles Bridges, Josh Green, Tre Mann, 2027 1st Round Pick, 2029 1st Round Pick, 2031 1st Round Pick, 2028 & 2030 Pick Swap
Five first round picks is a lot. However, at some point, the Hornets have enough top end talent. LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller are a great young core. Additionally, these are the types of players a team needs to build around Giannis Antetokounmpo. There will be no shortage of shooting which could make the Hornets one of the best teams in a weak Eastern Conference.
At first glance, this crop of players doesn’t seem real exciting for the Bucks. For me, Charlotte is able to offer the most picks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. At that point, Milwaukee is banking on the Hornets continuing to be stuck in neutral. LaMelo still has plenty of questions on whether he can be your franchise cornerstone. Miller has shown flashes but has dealt with injury issues of his own. Milwaukee could have multiple lottery picks in the next half decade of drafts which is pretty enticing.
Where Will Giannis End Up?
Giannis Antetokounmpo instantly transforms any franchise. Many teams will be on the phones and more than likely, this trade will involve multiple teams. I’ll admit, it was difficult to get all of the salaries to line up. Where will he end up? We’ll have to wait and see.
