The Milwaukee Bucks don't want to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo, but if it comes down to it, the team that makes the most sense is the San Antonio Spurs. While other teams create laughable mock deals, the Spurs have enough draft capital and enticing talent to make every other interested franchise look foolish for even trying. They will be the team to watch over the next year.
Bucks, Spurs feel like logical partners in a Giannis trade
During a recent ESPN appearance, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Giannis and his agent have been looking around to see what teams could acquire the Greek Freak at the trade deadline if things go south in Milwaukee. While the New York Knicks are rumored to be his preferred destination, it wouldn't be shocking if Giannis broadened his horizons and explored all options.
The Spurs make sense for everyone involved.
For Giannis, he'd get to team up with rising phenom Victor Wembanyama and forge one of the wildest one-two punch frontcourts the NBA has ever seen. The Spurs would make it clear that they are ready to make the leap back into contention by adding one of the NBA's greats. The Milwaukee Bucks would begin a nice retooling with a boatload of draft picks and a collection of talent.
San Antonio has control of several of their draft picks over the next half-decade and owns the rights to swap with a handful of other teams. Draft capital will be essential in any Giannis trade, giving them an advantage that some teams, like the New York Knicks, don't have. The Knicks have blown a good chunk of their draft capital on other moves over the last several years.
The Spurs also have enticing players, including reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper. To a much lesser extent, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson have value. Due to not having control of their own picks for the foreseeable future, the Milwaukee Bucks almost certainly would not enter a full-on rebuild, but it would be nice to have young mainstays to build around.
No matter who it is to, trading Giannis Antetokounmpo would be hard for Milwaukee. However, a deal centered around promising young pieces and an assortment of draft picks is far more compelling than something like Karl-Anthony Towns and one first-round pick. If Giannis does end up asking out, the Bucks cannot let this be a one-team race.
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