If the Bucks Trade Giannis, It Has to Be for a King’s Ransom
The Milwaukee Bucks are staring down a potential franchise-altering decision, and if it comes to trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, there’s only one way to approach it: demand everything. We're talking about the kind of deal that resets the market-something that makes the Paul George-to-the-Clippers trade look like a clearance sale.
Let’s rewind to 2019. The LA Clippers gave up a haul to land George from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That deal included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks (some unprotected), and two pick swaps. It was a blockbuster package-one that gave OKC the ammo to build what’s now one of the most promising young cores in the league.
And that was for Paul George. Talented?
Absolutely. But he’s not Giannis.
If the Bucks are even picking up the phone on a Giannis deal, that Clippers-OKC trade is the floor-not the ceiling.
What’s Fueling the Fire?
This isn’t just hypothetical chatter. According to reports, Giannis, his agent, and the Bucks are expected to sit down soon to discuss his future.
That conversation could bring clarity-or chaos. If Giannis signals that he’s eyeing a new chapter, the Bucks will be forced to consider the unthinkable: trading away the face of their franchise, the two-time MVP, and the player who delivered their first title in 50 years.
That’s not a decision you make lightly. And if it happens, the return has to be historic.
What Does a Giannis Deal Look Like?
Start with a young star-someone with All-NBA potential. Add in a mountain of first-round picks.
Sprinkle in some pick swaps and salary filler. That’s your baseline.
The Clippers gave up eight total assets for Paul George. For Giannis, a team should be ready to double down.
He’s not just a star-he’s a system-shifting, culture-defining, championship-caliber cornerstone. If a franchise wants to land him, they better be ready to gut their future.
And let’s be honest-some teams simply don’t have the juice to make it happen. There’s been chatter about New York as a preferred destination, but the Knicks’ asset chest doesn’t stack up.
Not for a player of Giannis’ caliber. The Bucks can’t afford to settle.
Trading him for anything less than a historic haul would be a gut punch to the fanbase and a long-term setback for the organization.
Who Can Make a Deal?
If Giannis does ask out, there are only a few teams that can realistically make a competitive offer and give him a shot at contending.
San Antonio is intriguing. With top-tier prospects like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, plus a war chest of future picks, the Spurs could put together a package that checks every box.
Atlanta also has a compelling young piece in Jalen Johnson and enough draft capital to get Milwaukee’s attention. And don’t forget Portland-if the Bucks want to recoup some of the picks they sent out in the Damian Lillard deal, that’s a phone call worth making.
But even among those teams, only a select few can offer the right mix of win-now talent and future flexibility. And the timing complicates everything.
Midseason trades are messy. Integrating a superstar like Giannis on the fly isn’t easy.
Chemistry takes time. Systems need adjusting.
And yet, if he becomes available, there won’t be a shortage of teams willing to roll the dice.
The Bucks Can’t Afford to Play Nice
This is bigger than appeasing Giannis. It’s about protecting the future of the franchise.
If a trade becomes inevitable, Milwaukee has to go into full leverage mode. No discounts.
No favors. No “thanks for the memories” deals.
They need to extract every possible asset from a desperate team looking to make a title push. Because once Giannis is gone, there’s no quick fix. That kind of loss takes years to recover from-unless the return is transformative.
So if the Bucks are forced to move their franchise cornerstone, they need to make it count. The blueprint is there.
The stakes are clear. Now it’s about execution.
Stay locked in-this could get wild.