Should the Raptors pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo if he’s available?

Should the Raptors consider trading for Antetokounmpo?

Yes, they should trade for Antetokounmpo. Toronto will quickly become a top contender in the East. They could emerge as the favorites to win the East next season. The Raptors don’t need to gut their entire team to acquire Antetokounmpo.

The ideal trade for the Raptors involves sending RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, the ninth pick from this year’s draft, a top-five protected 2027 first-round pick, a top-five protected 2029 first-round pick, and a 2031 first-round pick swap to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Antetokounmpo, A.J. Green, and Pat Connaughton.

The ideal trade for the Bucks involves sending Barrett, Barnes, the ninth pick from this year’s draft, a top-five protected 2027 first-round pick, a top-five protected 2029 first-round pick, and a 2031 first-round pick swap to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.

If I were the general manager of the Raptors and the only way the Bucks would accept an Antetokounmpo deal if Barnes is going to Milwaukee, I would do the trade because Antetokounmpo with this Toronto team can go deep in the playoffs next season.

Would a trade for Antetokounmpo work without giving up Barnes?

Technically, an Antetokounmpo trade that does not involve Barnes is feasible. I provided an example of how this could work a few paragraphs ago. However, in reality, it is highly unlikely that the Bucks would accept a deal without including Barnes. Why give up a franchise player without receiving a franchise-type player in return?

And there’s no way Toronto is giving up Barnes. They handed him the keys to the franchise. That’s why the Raptors chose to trade OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam while allowing Fred VanVleet to sign with the Houston Rockets.

We still haven’t seen what Barnes can do as a number one option. This season doesn’t count because the Raptors were tanking. Ujiri is typically patient with his teams. He’s not going to alter how the team is constructed just because Antetokounmpo might be available.

Yes, Toronto traded for Kawhi Leonard, but that was under different circumstances. The Raptors couldn’t overcome the challenge of winning the NBA Finals. Ujiri knew he needed to make a change, which ultimately led Toronto to its first-ever Larry O’Brien trophy.

The Raptors are not in a situation where they have to trade Barnes to get better. They can add another star without giving up Barnes. And that’s why I don’t see Toronto trading away Barnes, even if that’s what it takes to get Antetokounmpo on the team.