John Hollinger Thinks Spurs Or Raptors Could Trade For Giannis Antetokounmpo

Former Memphis Grizzlies exec and current writer for The Athletic, John Hollinger, thinks the San Antonio Spurs or Toronto Raptors could trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. 

The Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. They have won just one postseason series since winning the championship in 2021 against the Phoenix Suns. 

“However, two other places the Bucks could look for a partner are San Antonio and Toronto,” Hollinger wrote. “No, Bucks fans, you’re not getting Victor Wembanyama for Giannis. But you might get Stephon Castle. The Spurs also have two 2025 lottery picks (their own and Atlanta’s), an unprotected 2027 pick from Atlanta and several swaps, plus they can deal their own picks in 2029 and 2031. Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes would be the salary ballast. If Antetokounmpo was OK going to any non-glamour market, this is probably the one where the allure is clear (Wemby-Giannis!) and the trade assets make sense.

“Finally, there’s Toronto, where team president Masai Ujiri has been rumored to be scheming ways to get Giannis since roughly forever. The trade equation here seems pretty simple: Toronto’s 2025 lottery pick and Scottie Barnes, plus whatever other draft considerations the Bucks would want to level out the deal. (The Raptors have all their future firsts to put in a trade.)”

The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023. 

Antetokounmpo has spent his entire career with the Bucks. He’s a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. The superstar forward has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. 

A future Hall of Famer, Antetokounmpo will make $54,126,380 next season. He declined to speak about his future after Game 5 on Tuesday. 

“I’m not going to do this,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m not going to do that. I know how it’s going to translate. I don’t know, man. I wish I was still playing. I wish I was still competing and going back and working out.”