Who says no to this blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade?
The Milwaukee Bucks are currently 5-9, as they’re facing a nightmare start to the 2024-2025 NBA season. It’s worth noting that the Bucks are coming off a disappointing campaign after they were initially dubbed as legitimate championship contenders with the team-up of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Whether it’s Doc Rivers’ questionable coaching or Lillard’s fading superstardom, the Bucks have a major problem. With their All-Star duo pointing towards failure, there’s no doubt that the Bucks can be considering blowing up their roster that’s currently centered around the Greek Freak. Should the Bucks press the rebuild button, they won’t have any problems finding suitors for the two-time NBA MVP.
Giannis is a generational talent who has proven to be a future Hall of Famer, especially after leading the Bucks to a championship. But with a $48 million salary this season, NBA teams will have to give up plenty should they decide to gamble by bringing him on board. But with his talent and dominance in the NBA, any basketball team that wants to win now should consider the idea.
Thus far, there are plenty of teams that should give the Bucks a call. One of which is the top seed in the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are currently in winning ways. However, they’re also thinking about maximizing the closing window of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Although their young guns are showing positive signs, it’s still unknown if they can handle bigger responsibilities once the postseason rolls by. Let’s take a look at the perfect Giannis Antetokounmpo trade the Warriors must offer the Bucks.
Proposed Warriors-Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo trade
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Editor’s NOTE: With the Warriors currently being hard-capped at the first apron, there is virtually no path to them trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo during the 2024-25 NBA season. This trade proposal seen below is a blueprint of an idea that could be explored during the offseason prior to the 2025-26 season.
Bucks receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Lindy Waters III, 2025 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick
Warriors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Bucks should receive a haul of young pieces in return for their 2021 NBA Finals MVP should they make a deal with the Warriors. In addition to youth, the Bucks will also have plenty of championship experience. Wiggins ($26.3 million) should be a reliable starter for the Bucks. He should also be the best player the Warriors can offer in the package, as he played a pivotal role in the Warriors’ championship team in 2022.
On the other hand, Brandin Podziemski, Lindy Waters, and Jonathan Kuminga have shown plenty of potential. Perhaps the Bucks can allow them to be unleashed in line with their rebuild. Kuminga’s game has never been a perfect fit in Golden State. However, that can change in Milwaukee.
While Podziemski has been untouchable in trade talks involving superstars during the offseason, the availability of the Greek Freak would be too hard to pass up. Furthermore, Podziemski should easily be a Bucks franchise cornerstone should he land in Milwaukee. Waters was an offseason acquisition who showed plenty of promise prior to injury. Some additional shooting and youth should never hurt a team in its rebuilding chapter.
But while Wiggins, Podziemski, and Kuminga will headline the Warriors package, the Bucks are also probably eyeing the first-round draft picks. These draft picks should give the Bucks plenty of cushioning to build the foundation for Giannis’ impending departure.
It is important to note that Kuminga will be a restricted free agent next summer, and Waters will be an unrestricted free agent. Both players could be included in trade talks via sign-and-trade agreements, but this would complicate Milwaukee’s financials after sending out arguably their best player in team history.
Right now, neither the Bucks nor the Warriors have the capability to make this type of trade.
