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The Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Idea We Like Most After NBA Star's Surprise Statement
Giannis Antetokounmpo might just have a soft spot for the NBA's ever-churning rumor mill.
This week, in an exclusive interview with Greece's Sport 24, he said, "I hope [a trade] never happens, but I'm expecting it… I say anything is possible." (h/t ClutchPoints).
That quote does support the notion he wants to remain a Milwaukee Buck, but it obviously doesn't dispel the idea of a potential move.
And if the Bucks, who really don't have a second star this season (with apologies to Myles Turner), stumble out of the gates, you can bet the rumors will start flying again.
In the meantime, we already know of at least one team that has the assets to make a serious offer for the superstar, while remaining a contender after acquiring him.
The San Antonio Spurs could pair Giannis with Victor Wembanyama to form perhaps the most formidable front court since David Robinson and Tim Duncan wore the team's colors.
And we show you how below.
The Deal
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Before we get into why each team would be wise to consider this, as always, we'll take a look at the entire deal in one glance:
San Antonio Spurs receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick, a 2030 first-round pick (via Minnesota) and a 2031 first-round pick (via Sacramento)
Feel free to critique or tweak the offer however you like. The number of picks, the protections on those picks, the lack of seconds and more could probably be negotiated. The important thing is the foundation.
Below, we'll explain why that foundation makes sense for both sides.
Spurs Put Wemby on the Duncan Track
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There's a solid argument to sort of slow-play the team-building process around Wemby. He's only 21. There's plenty of time to craft a title-contending roster before he reaches his prime.
But last season's De'Aaron Fox trade suggests the Spurs may be a bit more anxious to contend than they were prior to Wembanyama's arrival. And if that led to a trio of Fox, Wemby and Giannis, San Antonio would instantly vault onto the contenders' tier.
It's a lot to give up the reigning Rookie of the Year, this summer's No. 2 pick, a capable, floor-spacing wing and multiple picks. But the resulting team would be worth it for San Antonio.
Wemby's jump shooting and Giannis' sledgehammering drives would complement each other well. Ideally, those two would be flanked by more consistent shooting than Fox can offer, but veteran Harrison Barnes can help on that front. Fox's own ability to get to the paint would also draw defenses away from Wembanyama.
And of course, we've only really talked offense to this point. On the other end of the floor, Giannis and Wemby would combine to form an impossibly long and athletic wall, capable of covering the rim or the perimeter. With even marginal contributions from the supporting cast, this hypothetical team could realistically challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder or Denver Nuggets for Western Conference supremacy.
Bucks Tip Off a Rebuild
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For the Bucks, some dominoes would likely need to fall before they'd ever consider moving Giannis. One would be a bad start to the season; the other would be pressure for a move from Giannis himself.
If those did indeed fall, there aren't many teams in the NBA that could top this offer.
Over the last 26 games of his Rookie of the Year-winning campaign, Stephon Castle averaged 19.4 points, 5.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds.
And before being selected second overall this past summer, Harper averaged 19.4 points and 4.0 assists as a freshman at Rutgers.
Together, they'd instantly form one of the most intriguing, offensively dynamic and defensively versatile young backcourts in the East.
Twenty-five-year-old Devin Vassell is probably young enough to be a part of the intrigue, but he might also have more trade value to harvest before the deadline in February. If Milwaukee moved him later, this deal could have a sort of cascading return that grows over time.
Of course, as is almost always the case in star trades, the picks might be as important as the players. And while those first two from the Spurs might not have a ton of value (thanks to how good San Antonio would be after this deal), the pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves is a wild card, and the one from the Sacramento Kings, given their organizational track record, could be basketball gold.
Put all of them together with Castle, Harper and whatever else Vassell might turn into, and again, it's hard to imagine many teams around the league being able to challenge this haul.
