The San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks have frequently been mentioned as two teams that would make sense as trade partners if Giannis Antetokounmpo requests a change of scenery. Both teams have the necessary assets to get the job done if it comes down to it, but recent reports suggest that they might not be willing to part with young talent, which would be a roadblock.
If young stars are off the table, so is Giannis Antetokounmpo
Per NBA insider Jake Fischer (subscription required), there has been "little indication" that the Spurs are willing to trade either Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper in any deal. Fischer speculated separately that the Hawks could try to make a splash, such as for Giannis, without giving up prized youngster Jalen Johnson, a player they view as a key piece of the next iteration of this team.
If all three of those players are off the table, the Bucks have little incentive to chat.
If the Milwaukee Bucks have to trade Giannis, their asking price should firmly be one or two young, potential-filled players and a boatload of draft picks. The draft picks could set the Bucks up nicely for the future, but the young player could be the real catch. Post-Giannis, Milwaukee would need a new player to build around, and any of these three rising youngsters would undoubtedly fit the bill.
Castle and Harper look like star guards in the making. The former is coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign, while 19-year-old Harper has looked fearless in his early action. Johnson has taken a big leap this season, making a strong case for Most Improved Player honors. Adding to his intrigue is the fact that he's a Milwaukee native.
If the Milwaukee Bucks cannot pry any of those three from their teams, they will have little reason to negotiate with them. Of course, these rumors could also be San Antonio and Atlanta playing hardball early on. They certainly won't come right out and say that they will trade some of the league's most captivating young players right off the bat. They would love to hang onto them.
In a scenario where Castle, Harper, and Johnson are off the table, perhaps the Bucks could look to South Beach. Kel'el Ware alone isn't enough for Giannis, but he could be a nice inclusion in any deal that also features more players and picks. There are other captivating suitors, but these are the top three teams that have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo the most frequently.
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