The Milwaukee Bucks are taking trade calls on Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the LA Clippers suddenly have every reason to get involved. After a lucky bounce, the Clippers earned the fifth pick in the 2026 NBA Draft via the Indiana Pacers. That could be one of the best assets in any trade package across the entire NBA and one that the Bucks would at least have to think long and hard about.
While the Clippers have not been directly linked to Giannis, it feels like only a matter of time before they are. Everyone in the league will put in an offer this summer. LA has to figure out what direction they want to go in, but if the plan is to contend, The Athletic NBA writer Sam Amick wonders if trading that pick for Giannis would make sense, as he discussed on Sactown Sports 1140.
"Any chance you would trade that pick to go get a guy like Giannis and add to Kawhi? I don't know what their game plan is, but when you have the stuff like the fifth pick and you didn't plan on being in the top 10, that's a big deal."
Clippers-Bucks trade could make plenty of sense
Both teams have something the other team desires in this scenario.
The Clippers, if the goal is to field a competitive roster around Kawhi Leonard, land one of the best players in the world to give him a new running mate. Antetokounmpo and Leonard would form the best two-way duo in the entire NBA in the eyes of many. It would be a nightmare for teams to plan against a lineup that boasts the two former NBA Finals MVPs.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks could pivot to a youth-driven approach with a package centered on the fifth overall pick in one of the best draft classes in recent memory. While the first four picks in the class already feel written in the stars, the Bucks could go in a number of directions. Landing a guard like Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemmings, or Darius Acuff Jr. would be a shot in the arm.
It would take more than just the fifth pick, but if the Clippers want, they could sneak their way into an incredibly busy few weeks of Giannis trade calls.
Despite the pick, Bucks will likely look elsewhere
While that pick is enticing, the Clippers don't have much else to offer. Darius Garland is a nice player and former All-Star, but there are better prospects out there in terms of centerpieces. Garland, that pick, whatever other draft assets the Clippers can gather, and a few role players isn't exactly the type of deal that makes the Bucks ignore everyone else. It should be enough to keep tabs on, though.
For now, the legitimate frontrunners should still be the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. Miami has a package of quality players and picks, while the Celtics could offer picks and Jaylen Brown, who has plenty of value and could be rerouted for more draft capital. Of course, there is also a world where a Giannis Antetokounmpo-Bucks partnership continues. That cannot be forgotten.
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