With the NBA’s trade window set to open in just a couple of weeks, front offices across the league are already starting to stir. The Philadelphia 76ers, never ones to sit still under Daryl Morey’s watch, are likely weighing their options - but when it comes to the biggest name currently circling the rumor mill, they’re unlikely to be in the mix.
That name, of course, is Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Despite a promising start to the season, the Milwaukee Bucks have hit a wall. They’ve dropped eight of their last ten and sit at 9-13, sliding all the way to 11th in the Eastern Conference.
And when a team with championship aspirations starts trending in the wrong direction, the spotlight inevitably shifts to its superstar. Giannis has been vocal in the past about his commitment to Milwaukee, but he’s also made it clear that he’s not interested in wasting prime years on a team that isn’t contending.
So naturally, the whispers have started. Could Giannis be the next big name on the move?
If that door opens, every team in the league will at least peek inside. But only a select few have the combination of assets, cap flexibility, and win-now urgency to make a serious run at him. For the Sixers, the reality is simple: they’re not in that group.
Let’s be clear - Giannis isn’t just another star. He’s a two-time MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year, and one of the most physically dominant players the league has ever seen.
Any trade involving him would require a king’s ransom. And right now, the Sixers just don’t have the pieces to make that kind of deal work.
Sure, they’ve got Joel Embiid - but he’s not going anywhere. Tyrese Maxey is the other centerpiece, and unless Philly is willing to put him on the table (which would be a shocking move given his rise and current role), there’s no legitimate path forward.
Maxey has become the co-star to Embiid’s lead, and his development has been one of the most encouraging storylines of the season. Trading him for anyone, even Giannis, would be a seismic shift - and one the front office is highly unlikely to entertain.
Beyond Maxey, the Sixers’ trade assets thin out quickly. Their payroll is top-heavy, and they don’t have the kind of young, cost-controlled talent or draft capital that would entice a team like Milwaukee to pick up the phone. Even acting as a third or fourth team in a multi-team blockbuster seems unlikely, given the financial gymnastics that would be required.
So what does that mean for Philly fans? In all likelihood, the Giannis sweepstakes - if they even materialize - will play out with the Sixers watching from the sidelines.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The team has its own trajectory, centered around Embiid and Maxey, and they’ve shown enough early in the season to suggest they’re a legitimate force in the East.
If anything, the biggest impact a Giannis trade could have on Philadelphia is indirect. If he does leave Milwaukee, it could mark the end of a longtime rival’s run as a perennial threat. The Bucks have been a thorn in the Sixers’ side for years, and watching them potentially hit reset would certainly shift the balance of power in the conference.
So while the rumors swirl and the league braces for what could be a wild trade season, don’t expect the Sixers to be front and center in the Giannis conversation. They’ve got their own plan - and for now, that doesn’t include chasing the Greek Freak.