The trade that dealt Luka Doncic from the Mavericks to the Lakers was so lopsided that it forced the Dallas fanbase to revolt against the front office. Furthermore, Nico Harrison, who greenlit the trade, was fired just a few weeks into the new season. If Jon Horst and the Bucks made this trade to send Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Lakers, as pitched by Bleacher Report, there would be similar results.
Bucks would need far more to even pick up the phone
There's little appeal with this trade. No potential-filled young players, no good draft picks. Nothing to set the Milwaukee Bucks up for future success. The only way this could possibly make any sense was if Giannis came out and said he would only play for the Lakers and would choose to retire if he didn't get that (which is something he'd almost certainly never consider).
Trading Doncic, one of the best players in the NBA, for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick was a bad move, but at least there was some semblance of a vision. Harrison wanted to go all-in on defense and believed Davis could help anchor this group. They also got a nice young player who can help in Christie. Getting just one first-round pick was really the most baffling part.
At least the Mavericks got a recognizable player in Davis, who could potentially be flipped for more in another trade. In this deal, the Bucks would bring in a handful of role players, several pick swaps that likely won't hold much value on a team with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic, and what would likely be a late first-rounder. Trading the franchise's best player for that haul would be disgraceful.
Now, if Giannis requests a trade, the Bucks will be stripped of some leverage. However, he's still one of the best players in the world, and it will take a lot to get him. Any potential Giannis trade offer must start with at least one potential-filled player, such as Atlanta's Jalen Johnson or San Antonio guard Stephon Castle, and multiple unprotected first-rounders. Everything else should be discarded.
Jon Horst, Milwaukee's award-winning general manager, would likely be out of a job sooner than Harrison was. There'd be no justifying this particular deal. If this team hits the reset button, any return needs to set them up for success with a plan in mind. It would be hard to justify this particular one, and fans might never let the team off the hook.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.