After acquiring the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards suddenly make sense as a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo suitor. Some would argue whether or not Giannis, especially with all of the recent injury woes, is worth coughing up that selection in one of the most valuable drafts in the last however many years, but it is a compelling thought exercise.
Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey proposed a mock trade between Washington and Milwaukee.
Why the Bucks do it
The Milwaukee Bucks have made it clear from the jump that if they trade Giannis, they want a blue-chip prospect in return. What better prospect might there be than the top overall pick in the draft? With that selection, they could take AJ Dybantsa, the BYU prospect who looks like a face-of-the-franchise type of player in the making.
If the Bucks think Dybantsa is worth the hype, they could bring him in to replace Giannis and try to develop him immediately.
As for the inclusion of Anthony Davis, it would be solely for salary purposes. While still good when he's healthy, Davis has a well-documented injury history. The thought process here would likely revolve around getting Davis healthy, having him prove that he can still play at an elite level, and then trading him elsewhere to get value back mid-season. In theory, of course.
Why the Wizards do it
They really might not. Some might say the Wizards aren't a Giannis away from contending. They may feel better about keeping Davis and the pick, which would likely be Dybantsa, to form a strong core with youth like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, as well as an established veteran in Trae Young. That core might not compete right away, but the potential would be off the charts.
There is a world, though, where maybe the Wizards do think they could make some noise if they get a piece like Giannis. They did trade for Anthony Davis and Trae Young last season, so they clearly think they are at least close. Swapping out Giannis for Davis certainly would make them more formidable, and they would still have a strong draft pick at 10.
It simply depends on how close they think they are to competing.
Don't hold your breath
This probably won't happen. While the Milwaukee Bucks would love to have Dybantsa as the next face of the franchise, one draft pick, no matter how high, likely won't get the job done. Not when countless other Giannis suitors can offer up to four. Meanwhile, the Wizards will likely hold onto that top pick for dear life, denying anyone else the chance to draft Dybantsa.
It's unlikely, but after the historically stunning Luka Doncic trade, it's hard to call it impossible.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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