The Milwaukee Bucks are turning over every stone in an attempt to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo in town following three consecutive first-round playoff exits.
Teams around the league have reportedly been monitoring the two-time MVP’s situation in Milwaukee, though the club appears unlikely to deal its franchise cornerstone unless he requests a trade.
After waiving Damian Lillard and retooling their roster, the Bucks could make significant waves in a wide-open Eastern Conference. But if the team struggles before the trade deadline, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Antetokounmpo force his way to a contender.
Mock trade pairs Giannis Antetokounmpo with Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson
The New York Knicks have been one of several teams heavily linked to Antetokounmpo amid trade speculation. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report recently compiled a massive five-team trade that would send the nine-time All-Star to New York.
MORE: NBA analyst ranks Bucks’ offseason moves after Damian Lillard saga
Here’s Bailey’s proposed trade:
Bucks receive: Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Harrison Barnes, 2026 first-round pick (NYK via WAS), 2030 first-round pick (MIA), 2030 first-round pick swap (NYK), 2032 first-round pick swap (NYK), 2032 first-round pick (MIA), 2031 second-round pick (top-50 protected via UTA), three second-round picks (NYK)
Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Heat receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Spurs receive: Lauri Markkanen
Jazz receive: Keldon Johnson, Bobby Portis, Jeremy Sochan, Tyler Kolek, 2029 first-round pick (SAN), 2031 first-round pick (SAN)
In this wild trade proposal, the Bucks would bring in three veterans on pricey contracts. While they’d get a large haul of picks in return for Antetokounmpo and Portis, it seems unlikely the team would part with its superstar without securing at least one rising star in return.
Still, it’s no secret the Bucks lack draft capital, and this kind of proposal would give them a path toward the future.
A deal of this scale feels highly improbable, if not impossible. However, if Antetokounmpo were to request a trade, Milwaukee would likely want to do right by him — sending the 30-year-old forward to New York would give him an opportunity to contend immediately on a stacked roster.
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