If you spent the past couple of days dreaming about the Thunder sending the Milwaukee Bucks the perfect package for Giannis Antetokounmpo after their Game 7 Western Conference finals loss, keep right on dreaming. Don't read what's about to come next, and that's Marc Stein of The Stein Line reporting on Monday that he hasn't encountered anyone who thinks that will happen (subscription required).
In consulting with various rival executives in the wake of Oklahoma City's Game 7 loss at home to San Antonio in the Western Conference finals, I've yet to encounter any who strongly believe that Sam Presti would pursue such a dramatic move in response to the defending champions' dethroning.
Oklahoma City could look to trade up in the draft to add another big man who can go up against Victor Wembanyama, like Michigan's Aday Mara. As a Bucks fan, you might be thinking that Antetokounmpo can be that guy for them, but sadly, the Thunder don't need to go down that path.
It'd be great for Milwaukee if that were the case, as Oklahoma City would easily leapfrog other suitors like Miami and Portland, given the Thunder's treasure chest of assets and young players. They're not at that level of desperation, though.
Thunder not expected to go after Giannis following WCF loss
Even with Wembanyama and San Antonio being a lot better than expected this soon, Oklahoma City will still be right in the mix for a title next season. And the season after that, and the other after that, and so on.
The Thunder don't need to speed up the process for a championship by trading for Giannis — last year's title proves that. Oklahoma City needs to approach this summer by finding ways to cut costs (such as moving on from Lu Dort) and adding players who can help them get past the Spurs next season.
If they cashed in their assets for Antetokounmpo, who is 31 and coming off an injury-riddled few seasons, they could (and probably would) quickly regret it.
Sam Presti is a mastermind, and he'll find some way to spawn a Wemby stopper this summer, if that player even exists. He's not the kind of executive who makes rash decisions, like trading for Giannis, though the Bucks might still be holding onto the hope that the Thunder will call.
Assuming an Antetokounmpo trade happens (and it very much should), it won't involve Milwaukee sending him to Oklahoma City. He'd probably be open to the idea of joining a top Western Conference contender, but even that wouldn't be enough to pique the Thunder's interest. If it were several years ago, things might have been different, but a lot has changed in OKC.
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