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Blockbuster Four-Team NBA Trade Idea Sends Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo to Raptors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 1:46 PM ET

According to Doug Smith of The Toronto Star, mutual interest exists between Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Toronto Raptors.

Shams Charania of ESPN reported in May that Antetokounmpo is open-minded about leaving the Bucks this offseason.

“I don’t know if it will happen but I do know there is mutual interest between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors,” Smith wrote. “The wild card is the cost. But I also think the Raptors are uniquely placed to make an attractive offer that won’t ruin their franchise or roster.”

The Bucks have won only one postseason series since winning the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns.

Meanwhile, the Raptors have been looking for a superstar ever since Kawhi Leonard left for the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2019.

With Smith's reporting in mind, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed a four-team trade idea between the Bucks, Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls that lands Antetokounmpo in Toronto.

The Raptors would get Antetokounmpo, Jalen Smith and Jevon Carter, the Bucks would get RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, Chris Boucher, Ja'Kobe Walter and Gabe Vincent, the Lakers would get Lonzo Ball and Jakob Poeltl and the Bulls would get Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, Shake Milton and AJ Lawson.

"Why Antetokounmpo? Does that need exposition? His ties to Toronto may stem from his relationship with top executive Masai Ujiri," Pincus wrote. "If Antetokounmpo is picking the Raptors, who are they to say no?

"The larger question is justifying the cost. On the premise that Toronto has no interest in moving Scottie Barnes in the deal, it's giving up nearly all the first-round compensation possible (a little more than what the Cleveland Cavaliers paid out to get Donovan Mitchell)."

Antetokounmpo doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract. The future Hall of Famer averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks for the Bucks this season.

Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star with career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks.

It will be fascinating to see where Antetokounmpo is playing next season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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