Hours after ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo has a "willingness" to leave the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time in his career, a potential trade partner received the perfect gift at the draft lottery.
The No. 1 pick came down to two of the three NBA Texas teams: the Spurs and Mavericks. Dallas won the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, with San Antonio getting the No. 2 pick. Bucks fans hate the thought of Giannis leaving the Bucks, but if it happens, receiving the No. 2 pick as part of the deal would be enticing to Milwaukee.
From Giannis' perspective, why wouldn't he want to play in San Antonio with Victor Wembanyama? The Spurs answered their point guard question before the deadline by trading for De'Aaron Fox. San Antonio could've ended the season by making it to the Play-In Tournament with a shot at a playoff berth, but Wembanyama was ruled out for the rest of the season after the All-Star break with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Antetokounmpo wants to win a second NBA title, and teaming up with Wemby would significantly increase his chances of doing so. That duo would be a nightmare for opposing teams on both ends of the court. Giannis knows it, too. The Spurs are extremely well-positioned for the future with a player like Wemby.
bro knows @Giannis_An34 @wemby pic.twitter.com/qA5CYZG5Oo
— cinephile matt (SINNERS superfan) (@cinephile_matt) May 12, 2025
Spurs are one of the teams that could trade for Giannis
Other teams, including the Rockets and Thunder, could emerge as Giannis trade suitors. The Bucks' top priority in a trade should be getting the best possible offer, whether from the Spurs or not. Milwaukee's asking price will be sky-high, as it should be.
San Antonio fans went from dreaming about Wemby and Cooper Flagg to dreaming about Wemby and Giannis. The Spurs somehow traded for Fox without parting with one of their key young players, but that wouldn't be the case if they did a deal with the Bucks. Considering it'd mean getting a player like Giannis, Spurs fans shouldn't be too upset.
Giannis is still in Milwaukee (for now). Will he decide to go elsewhere after 12 seasons in Milwaukee? If he does, good luck to the rest of the West if he ends up in San Antonio.