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Blockbuster Mock Trade Lands Giannis Antetokounmpo With Raptors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated May 3, 2025 2:30 PM ET

With Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks having been bounced from the playoffs in the first round for the second straight year--and with the attendant problems the Bucks have in terms of health and quality of the supporting cast--trade speculation descended on the bleoved Greek star almost immediately after the team was eliminated.

To be sure, the Bucks do not want to trade Antetokounmpo. And it would be his preference to stay in Milwaukee. But the Bucks have very few assets on hand to make a trade that would alter the roster significantly, and if Antetokounmpo wants to win, it will almost certainly have to be elsewhere.

It's probably in the best interest of both sides if a break is made. But putting a guy like Antetokounmpo on the trade market is a bit like lauching a nuclear weapon--both sides will need to turn their keys. As of yet, that's not happened.

Still, if it comes, there will only be a handful of teams with the available assets to make a credible offer for Antetokounmpo, and one happens to be run by a guy who has coveted Antetkounmpo for years: Raports GM Masai Ujiri.

A new trade proposal from The Athletic suggests a way for the Raps to land Antetokounmpo. Brace yourself: It's a massive package going to Milwaukee.

From Eric Koreen of The Athletic: "Bucks get: Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, 2027 first, 2029 first, 2031 first (all top-one protected), 2028 pick swap (it’s very complicated), 2030 pick swap (Milwaukee gets second choice of Bucks, Trail Blazers and Raptors)

"Raptors get: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma."

It would take a lot for the Raptors to part ways with Barnes, even if he has not quite developed into a supserstar as quickly as many hoped. Including Barrett and Dick is a bit easier, and adding three mostly unprotected first-rounders is steep, too.

But it's a move the Raptors would make, and one that Antetokounmpo would at least see as offering a glimmer of hope.

"The trick is that the Raptors would have to think this makes them a contender, while the Bucks would have to see some hope for their trade partners to struggle," Koreen wrote. "How does a core of Antetokounmpo, Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl sound? It would be a better future than the Bucks could offer Antetokounmpo, but not a sure thing, especially with Poeltl as a non-shooting center."

Until Antetokounmpo says, one way or another, whether he wants to be traded, trade speculation will continue.

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

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