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The start of the NBA season has seen former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s team as one of the worst performing teams, the Bucks had a poor season last season after trading for Damian Lillard and the form has continued this year. Following their first-round playoff exit they sit 3-8 and the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the man they traded away is still performing at a high calibre, in Jrue Holiday, on the Boston Celtics having won it with them last year. It leaves Giannis Antetokounmpo in trade talks following tough playoff exits in the second-round exit in 2022 and two first round exits since. Where could he land? Where does he want to go? Let’s speculate.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has stated in interview with the Athletic "Yeah, if we don't win a championship, I might get traded," since this comment trade rumours have been flying and if Giannis gets traded where could he go. Potential suitors are broad given the prematurity of the rumours. But, if he does get traded, he could land himself in multiple great positions on the Warriors, Thunder, Heat or Rockers who could all see themselves acquiring him and becoming contenders instantly.
The Warriors rebuild a dynasty; again.
The Golden State Warriors have been one of the most interesting and surprising teams this season. After losing Klay Thompson to the Mavericks, a corner stone of their dynasty, they have rebuilt a high-level team around Steph Curry again. In the off-season they acquired Buddy Hield in the NBA’s first ever six team transaction and he has been scorching to start the season. Averaging 17.8 points per game and scoring from three with incredible efficiency at 47%. It isn’t new for them to build a team around Steph Curry and did so in 2022 after a few seasons of poor performances and good draft picks they had rebuilt a contending team around Steph Curry. If they were to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo they would become instant contenders.
Warriors
Giannis, Dalano Banton Duop Reath
Bucks
Andrew Wiggins, Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II, 2027,2029 and 2031 first-round picks as well as 2026, 2028 pick swaps.
Trail Blazers
Kevon Looney, 2026, 2028 second-round picks and 2030 second round pick.
This trade sees Trail Blazers step in to solve financial issues, leaves the Golden State Warriors as a contender and the Milwaukee Bucks kick starting their rebuild. If this trade took place, the Milwaukee Bucks would be stockpiling future draft picks that will most likely be good first round picks given the timeline of the Golden State Warriors. A team of Steph Curry that also has Antetokounmpo and Green would be incredible, Curry and Green have proved themselves as adaptable having played together in multiple championship winning teams where they have had to adapt in order to win, an obvious case of this is the arrival of Kevin Durant that meant they needed to adapt to Kevin Durant’s scoring and Giannis’ arrival could lead to a similar solution. He provides them with a run and gun offence as well as an option to run the two-man game which will not only allow for Giannis to dominate in the paint but for Curry to prioritise his outside game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder finalises the rebuild.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the best teams in the NBA, they also have one of the best draft stocks in the NBA. With Giannis Antetokounmpo they would be likely title favourites. They were the 1st seed last season and along with the Celtics and Cavs are one of the top dogs in the NBA. Giannis and Chet would undoubtably be the best front court in the NBA; offensively and defensively. They would also have one of the best two-man games between Shai and Antetokounmpo and because of their amount of young talent it is likely they would be able to hold on to a lot of this given their draft stock pile.
OKC Thunder
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks
Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and several first rounders.
This trade is in Milwaukee’s court as OKC have so many trade pieces that Milwaukee can almost ask for whatever they want, especially when it comes to picks. This trade may not be what happens if they were to make a move as the Bucks may want to acquire Chet Holmgren who would be a better piece to build their future around that may allow them to compete with Damian Lillard. For OKC no matter what happens they would acquire a former MVP and already have a player who is a future MVP in Gilgeous-Alexander and they would be considered title favourites or at least the favourites to come out of the Western Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat to create a title winning team around Jimmy Butler.
Jimmy Butler and the Heat have been to the finals twice in 4 years and have often only been a step away from a title. Acquiring Antetokounmpo is almost revenge for the Miami Heat who missed out on Damian Lillard because of the Milwaukee Bucks and given their history it is likely they would also become contenders. Jimmy Butler and Giannis would be a lethal two-way duo that would embody Heat culture and what it means to play in Vice City. However, the Miami Heat would gut a lot of their depth but it could be attractive for the Bucks to acquire proven young talent from the Miami Heat in Jaquez, Herro and Jovic one of which has more finals experiences than the Milwaukee Bucks Lillard.
Milwaukee Bucks
Duncan Robinson, Jaquez Jr, Jovic, Herro 2028,2029,2031 first round pics.
Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo
A trade like this would shake up the Eastern Conference and for Boston two of their biggest competitors would combine to become the Celtic’s boogeyman. It would be interesting to see how the rim-running and defensive style of play of Giannis and Bam would combine well and if they could both dominate given the similarities in their game. The Heat also gut a lot of their shooting ability in Robinson and Herro but acquiring a former MVP is always attractive.
The Houston Rockets cash in on young talent.
The Rockets haven’t been a champion since Olajuwon was there and a combination of Sengun, Green and Giannis Antetokounmpo could lead them to a place that players like Yao Ming, Harden and McGrady couldn’t.
Rockets
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bucks
Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr, Dillon Brooks and multiple first round picks.
This trade would allow the Houston Rockets to cash in as all the other teams aforementioned want too. If Giannis becomes available, they could offer up their previous 3rd picks in Smith Jr and Thompson as well as Dillon Brooks for salary filler. Young talent is exactly what Milwaukee needs and should cash in on this trade if it was to become available.
This rings true for most of these trades and if Giannis requests a trade, it will be best for Milwaukee to cash in on his value before it drops and any of these trades could be fair value that shakes up the NBA massively.