A blockbuster trade proposal has a promising young team in the Western Conference landing Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The two-time league MVP made headlines two weeks ago when he told Tania Ganguli of the New York Times that he wouldn’t sign an extension with the Bucks if he felt as though they weren’t properly building a championship contender around him.
Milwaukee has him under contract for at least two more years, and then Antetokounmpo will have the option to opt out and enter 2025 free agency. Chances are highly unlikely that the Bucks will trade Giannis during the 2023-24 season, since he obviously gives them the best possible chance to win now.
But if the Bucks end up shopping Giannis, could a young team like the Oklahoma City Thunder emerge as a contender, considering their wealth of draft picks and young assets?
At NBA Analysis Network, James Piercey proposed a blockbuster deal that has OKC landing the future Hall of Famer from Milwaukee in exchange for Luguentz Dort, Victor Oladipo, Josh Giddey, Davis Bertans, first-round draft picks in 2025, 2026 and 2027 as well as first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2029:
“If Antetokoumnpo is willing to commit to the team, the Bucks will have averted disaster. They need to do everything they can to keep their superstar. Unfortunately, there’s a possibility that there’s nothing they can do.
If so, the Bucks will have to make a trade. They should prioritize draft capital above all else – the Bucks will need to rebuild. This team checks that box. Here, Milwaukee is landing four unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps.
Even that’s not enough for the Thunder to land Antetokoumnpo. That’s why they’re also sending the Bucks Josh Giddey. He’s a young player with star potential as a jumbo playmaker. This is the type of young player the Bucks will want as they navigate life without Antetokoumnpo – if they have to at all, that is.”
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Adding a player like Giannis would unquestionably help the Thunder reemerge as a championship contender in the Western Conference. Antetokounmpo and young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would immediately form one of basketball’s elite scoring duos, after all.
The Thunder have a plethora of draft picks thanks to blockbuster trades involving Paul George, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul, so they’re well-positioned to acquire a future superstar in the near future.
Could that player be Giannis? Only time will tell, but few clubs would be able to top or match OKC’s offer, if the Bucks were to shop him.
