Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) throughout sport 5 of the primary spherical for the 2024 NBA Playoffs in opposition to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Necessary Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Photos
It looks as if Giannis Antetokounmpo commerce eventualities will stay the discuss of the NBA, even with the Finals in full swing.
Based on NBA insider Jake Fischer, the momentum for Antetokounmpo to request a commerce away from the Milwaukee Bucks is shortly shedding steam.
“The widespread perception amongst league insiders is that he’ll stay with the one franchise he is ever performed for,” Fischer reported.
The thought has been that except Antetokounmpo orchestrates a commerce out of Milwaukee, the Bucks could be inclined to maintain their 30-year-old worldwide famous person. However within the occasion the Greek Freak modifications his thoughts and needs out?
These 5 groups truly make sense. And no, the New York Knicks didn’t make this checklist. It’s onerous to see an NBA workforce willingly handing its franchise icon to a contending rival throughout the identical convention—particularly one which lacks draft capital.
1. Dallas Mavericks
That is the obvious choice. The Mavericks by some means rebounded from their disastrous Luka Dončić commerce after they lucked into the No. 1 total choose within the 2025 NBA Draft.
This yr’s draft class is headlined by Duke star Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks might shock the NBA world once more and ship Flagg to the Bucks in a deal for Antetokounmpo, serving to Milwaukee expedite its rebuild with a generational expertise.
Mavericks normal supervisor Nico Harrison has repeatedly stated the Dončić commerce was about profitable now. With Kyrie Irving coming off a knee harm and Anthony Davis perpetually injured, buying and selling for Antetokounmpo would give the Mavericks a legit large three to attempt to capitalize on their present rivalry window within the West.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Jan 4, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks over San Antonio Spurs ahead Victor Wembanyama (1) throughout the first half at Frost Financial institution Middle. Necessary Credit score: Scott Wachter-Imagn Photos That is the second most evident. The Spurs personal the No. 2 total choose. The problem? They don’t precisely want combo guard Dylan Harper, who has been the consensus No. 2 prospect behind Flagg within the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Spurs have already got their very own younger backcourt with De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell. No. 1 total choose Victor Wembanyama has been pretty much as good as marketed throughout his first two seasons within the NBA.
Within the post-Gregg Popovich period, it could be time for the Spurs to make an “all-in” transfer and land a confirmed NBA champion to pair with Wemby for years to return.
3. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Dec 17, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) throughout the 2nd quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup championship sport at T-Cellular Area. Necessary Credit score: Kyle Terada-Imagn Photos Let’s get completely bananas.
The Thunder entered the 2025 NBA Finals as huge betting favorites in opposition to the Indiana Pacers, who stole Sport 1. If Oklahoma Metropolis loses this sequence, it could be an enormous letdown. The Thunder had been persistently the perfect workforce all through the common season and dominated the NBA playoffs.
However much like the final time the Thunder cracked the NBA Finals, that is nonetheless a younger workforce headlined by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and kids Jaylin Williams and Chet Holmgren.
Regardless of being the perfect workforce within the NBA, the Thunder have a loaded cellar stuffed with draft picks. In the event that they get bounced within the Finals, perhaps they take a protracted look within the mirror and resolve it’s time to drag the most important set off this offseason has to supply.
However say they win their first championship? They’ve the bullets to construct a dynasty by overwhelming Milwaukee with draft picks to carry Antetokounmpo to Oklahoma Metropolis.
4. Detroit Pistons
Mar 11, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Wizards ahead Corey Kispert (24) defends in opposition to Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) throughout the second half at Little Caesars Area. Necessary Credit score: David Reginek-Imagn Photos The Pistons had been one of many NBA’s largest surprises final season, ending six video games above .500 because the No. 6 seed within the Japanese Convention.
They took the Knicks to 6 video games within the first spherical of the playoffs, as new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s workforce fought and clawed the identical manner they did all season.
But when you already know something in regards to the NBA, it’s that younger, overachieving groups are inclined to expertise a bit of pure regression the next yr. That will be disappointing for Pistons followers, who emerged from a rebuild however are nonetheless looking for playoff success.
Enter Antetokounmpo—an NBA champion who might assist the Pistons speed up their timeline and turn out to be a severe contender within the East.
5. Houston Rockets
Mar 4, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Rockets ahead Amen Thompson (1) reacts to a name within the second half in opposition to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Necessary Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Photos The Rockets have the right mix of belongings to drag off an Antetokounmpo commerce: younger gamers, draft picks and a roster able to contend.
Head coach Ime Udoka is aware of the best way to handle large stars, however the Rockets nonetheless don’t have one—regardless of spending a lot of the season because the No. 2 seed within the West. Including Antetokounmpo to their younger core would cement Houston as severe gamers and provides them a shot at dethroning Oklahoma Metropolis.