A massive trade proposal has the Milwaukee Bucks sending franchise superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to an Eastern Conference rival.
Antetokounmpo hasn’t outright requested a trade, but he did make headlines last month when he told Tania Ganguli of the New York Times that he won’t sign an extension with Milwaukee unless he feels content with the organization’s direction of building a championship team around him.
The Bucks will have the two-time league MVP for at least two more seasons, as Antetokounmpo can’t opt out of his deal until the summer of 2025. But what if the front office ultimately decides to trade Giannis rather than risk losing him for nothing down the road?
At NBA Analysis Network, James Piercey proposed a massive trade idea that has the Bucks sending Antetokounmpo to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for young star Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher, Gary Trent Jr., Dennis Schröder and 2028 and 2030 first-round draft picks:
“Here, we’re operating under the pretense that he has requested a trade. In that event, the Bucks’ hands will be forced. In that event, this would be a good return.
It’s headlined by Scottie Barnes. The Bucks may be acquiring their franchise player immediately after losing their last one here. That’s a rare opportunity. Barnes could be a similarly dominant two-way wing to Antetokounmpo in just a few years. Meanwhile, Trent Jr. is a solid young player to add to a rebuilding club as well.”
In a hypothetical sense, this would be a great return for Milwaukee. You don’t replace a player like Giannis unless you’re getting someone another top-five NBA player in return. But they’d be able to build a franchise around Barnes, with the underrated Trent Jr. adding plenty of offense as well.
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As for the Raptors, this trade would immediately launch them back into title contention following three straight years of zero postseason victories. A core of Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby would make the Raptors a legitimate championship contender in 2024.
