Ranking five head-spinning trade scenarios for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Monday night's rigged crazy NBA Draft lottery may lead to an offseason of unprecedented player movement. Stars such as Phoenix's Kevin Durant, Philadelphia's Joel Embiid or even Boston's Jaylen Brown could be available in trades. 

All of them would yield impressive returns, but the crown jewel of potentially available players this summer is Milwaukee's 30-year-old superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.4 PPG last season), who is reportedly open to a trade that would earn the Bucks a king's ransom.

With the draft order set, it's time to cook up realistic trade scenarios for the league's most dominant force. These trades are ranked from least to most likely:

5) Giannis forces his way to Los Angeles

Lakers receive: Antetokounmpo

Bucks receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, 2031 first-round pick, 2026/2028/2030 first- round pick swaps

Why it could happen: Superstars with the kind of sweat equity Antetokounmpo has earned with Milwaukee typically have some say in where they get traded. If Giannis tells the Bucks that he only wants to go to the Lakers to team with Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers at least have a couple of good assets to offer. 

Why it's unlikely to happen: The Bucks would really be doing Giannis a solid by trading him to the Lakers because the next four teams can top L.A.'s offer. 

4) Mavericks continue to live in the present

Mavericks receive: Antetokounmpo

Bucks receive: No. 1 overall pick in 2025 draft (Cooper Flagg), P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Max Christie

Why it could happen: After his unconscionable dealing of Luka Doncic this past season, Dallas GM Nico Harrison stressed the importance of his team's three- to  four-year championship window. While you could argue that Duke's Flagg will fit into Harrison's "defense wins championships" vision, Giannis would fit a helluva lot better for the next three to four years. 

Why it's unlikely to happen: ESPN has reported that the Mavericks will select Flagg with the first overall pick. And it'd be insane if Dallas ownership allowed Harrison to trade another franchise savior for a veteran superstar.

3) Rockets blast into contention 

Rockets receive: Antetokounmpo

Bucks receive: Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, pick No. 10 in 2025 draft, Suns 2027 first-rounder, swap rights on the best 2029 first-round pick among Rockets, Mavericks and Suns

Why it could happen: This gives Milwaukee everything it could want in a deal for Antetokoumpo: draft capital and young talent who can help it stay competitive now and excel in the future.  

Why it's unlikely to happen: This doesn't necessarily solve the Rockets' playoff scoring woes — typically that scoring punch must come from wing or perimeter players. Thus, the Rockets may actually be better off trading a much smaller package for Durant, allowing the majority of their young core to stay intact and continue to grow, and hope that KD is enough to get them over the hump.

2) Spurs giddy up their rebuild

Spurs receive: Antetokounmpo

Bucks receive: Picks No. 2 and No. 14 in the 2025 draft, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Atlanta 2027 first-rounder

Why it could happen: The basketball gods have smiled upon San Antonio, gifting it the second pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which will likely be Rutgers' Dylan Harper, a potential franchise point guard. Suddenly, the Spurs have that pick, another lottery pick and two young studs in Castle and Vassell to offer for Antetokoumpo. And if that isn't enough, they can even throw in the Hawks' unprotected 2027 first-round pick. That's a great package for Giannis!

Why it's unlikely to happen: It might break our collective brains watching 7-foot-3 Victor Wembanyama and 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo on the court together. It's just too much wingspan for the human brain to handle. 

Joking aside, the only reasons Milwaukee would consider turning this offer down would be if Giannis told them he's staying or if the Thunder trump the Spurs.

1) Thunder hit the accelerator after failing to capture the 2025 NBA title

Thunder receive: Antetokounmpo

Bucks receive: Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, picks No. 14 and No. 25 in 2025 draft, 76ers 2026 first-round pick (protected 1-4), Jazz 2026 first-round pick (protected 1-8), 2027 first-round swap rights with the Clippers, 2028 first-round swap rights with the Mavericks

Why it could happen: Thunder have 29 draft picks between now and 2031 and already a roster full of talent. They must cash their chips in at some point and could easily outbid any other team's offer. If this isn't enough, they have a ton of additional first-rounders and young prospects they could throw into the deal.

Why it's unlikely to happen: The Thunder are the betting favorites to win the 2025 NBA title, so it'd be surprising if they won it all and then made such a massive trade.