Report: Mutual Interest Exists Between Giannis Antetokounmpo, Raptors

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

Antetokounmpo is open-minded about leaving the Milwaukee 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.

“I would make the case that a logjam at the wings makes them deep enough that if they had to pay even two out of Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Ja’Kobe Walter, RJ Barrett, Jonathan Mogbo would still leave enough to fill out a pretty good team with promising young players still developing. Plus, they have all their picks, so giving a first-rounder every year for, say, four years, leaves enough. … Again, the odds of doing a Giannis deal are long but the remnants of paying a steep price isn’t too bad.”

The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023. Antetokounmpo, 30, will make $54,126,380 next 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. He has spent his entire career with the Bucks. The superstar forward has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. 

Antetokounmpo does not 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 this season.

The Bucks won 48 games in the regular season but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs in five games. 

Meanwhile, the Raptors missed the postseason this year.