Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) throughout sport 5 of the primary spherical for the 2024 NBA Playoffs towards the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Necessary Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Photos It looks as if Giannis Antetokounmpo commerce eventualities will stay the discuss of the NBA, even with the Finals in full swing.
Based on NBA insider Jake Fischer, the momentum for Antetokounmpo to request a commerce away from the Milwaukee Bucks is shortly dropping steam.
“The frequent perception amongst league insiders is that he’ll stay with the one franchise he is ever performed for,” Fischer reported.
The thought has been that except Antetokounmpo orchestrates a commerce out of Milwaukee, the Bucks could be inclined to maintain their 30-year-old worldwide celebrity. However within the occasion the Greek Freak adjustments his thoughts and desires out?
These 5 groups truly make sense. And no, the New York Knicks didn’t make this record. It’s onerous to see an NBA staff willingly handing its franchise icon to a contending rival inside the identical convention—particularly one which lacks draft capital.
1. Dallas Mavericks
That is the obvious choice. The Mavericks by some means rebounded from their disastrous Luka Dončić commerce when they lucked into the No. 1 general decide within the 2025 NBA Draft.
This yr’s draft class is headlined by Duke star Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks might shock the NBA world once more and ship Flagg to the Bucks in a deal for Antetokounmpo, serving to Milwaukee expedite its rebuild with a generational expertise.
Mavericks basic supervisor Nico Harrison has repeatedly mentioned the Dončić commerce was about successful now. With Kyrie Irving coming off a knee harm and Anthony Davis perpetually injured, buying and selling for Antetokounmpo would give the Mavericks a respectable large three to attempt to capitalize on their present rivalry window within the West.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Jan 4, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks over San Antonio Spurs ahead Victor Wembanyama (1) throughout the first half at Frost Financial institution Middle. Necessary Credit score: Scott Wachter-Imagn Photos That is the second most evident. The Spurs personal the No. 2 general decide. The problem? They don’t precisely want combo guard Dylan Harper, who has been the consensus No. 2 prospect behind Flagg within the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Spurs have already got their very own younger backcourt with De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell. No. 1 general decide Victor Wembanyama has been pretty much as good as marketed throughout his first two seasons within the NBA.
In the post-Gregg Popovich period, it is likely to be time for the Spurs to make an “all-in” transfer and land a confirmed NBA champion to pair with Wemby for years to return.
3. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Dec 17, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots towards Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) throughout the 2nd quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup championship sport at T-Cell Area. Necessary Credit score: Kyle Terada-Imagn Photos Let’s get completely bananas.
The Thunder entered the 2025 NBA Finals as large betting favorites towards the Indiana Pacers, who stole Sport 1. If Oklahoma Metropolis loses this sequence, it will be a large letdown. The Thunder had been persistently one of the best staff all through the common season and dominated the NBA playoffs.
However just like the final time the Thunder cracked the NBA Finals, that is nonetheless a younger staff headlined by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and children Jaylin Williams and Chet Holmgren.
Regardless of being one of the best staff within the NBA, the Thunder have a loaded cellar stuffed with draft picks. In the event that they get bounced within the Finals, perhaps they take an extended look within the mirror and determine it’s time to drag the most important set off this offseason has to supply.
However say they win their first championship? They’ve the bullets to construct a dynasty by overwhelming Milwaukee with draft picks to deliver Antetokounmpo to Oklahoma Metropolis.
4. Detroit Pistons
Mar 11, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Wizards ahead Corey Kispert (24) defends towards Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) throughout the second half at Little Caesars Area. Necessary Credit score: David Reginek-Imagn Photos The Pistons had been one of many NBA’s largest surprises final season, ending six video games above .500 because the No. 6 seed within the Jap Convention.
They took the Knicks to 6 video games within the first spherical of the playoffs, as new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s staff fought and clawed the identical manner they did all season.
But when you understand something in regards to the NBA, it’s that younger, overachieving groups are inclined to expertise a bit pure regression the next yr. That will be disappointing for Pistons followers, who emerged from a rebuild however are nonetheless looking for playoff success.
Enter Antetokounmpo—an NBA champion who might assist the Pistons speed up their timeline and turn out to be a critical contender within the East.
5. Houston Rockets
Mar 4, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Rockets ahead Amen Thompson (1) reacts to a name within the second half towards the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Necessary Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Photos The Rockets have the right mix of property to drag off an Antetokounmpo commerce: younger gamers, draft picks and a roster able to contend.
Head coach Ime Udoka is aware of easy methods to handle large stars, however the Rockets nonetheless don’t have one—regardless of spending a lot of the season because the No. 2 seed within the West. Including Antetokounmpo to their younger core would cement Houston as critical gamers and provides them a shot at dethroning Oklahoma Metropolis.
