Giannis Antetokounmpo may very well be on the transfer quickly. The rumors concerning the celebrity ahead being able to discover a new house have grow to be a actuality, so a divorce from the Milwaukee Bucks appears inevitable and maybe imminent. Antetokounmpo received injured not too long ago, which led to hypothesis that he wouldn’t be traded till the offseason, however studies point out that a number of groups are attempting to make a transfer for him now.
The extra motivated potential patrons look like the Warriors, Timberwolves, and Warmth, in response to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Knicks, reportedly Giannis’ most well-liked vacation spot, are additionally an possibility, however would possibly lack the younger expertise and picks that Milwaukee is after.
The Spurs have reportedly not engaged the Bucks in any negotiations, which is sensible. However they might become involved to not get Giannis however to maintain him within the East and get higher within the course of, by ensuring the Warmth get the Greek Freak whereas getting Andrew Wiggins for his or her troubles.
Spurs ship Harrison Barnes, Kelly Olynyk, and 2027 Hawks decide to the Warmth for Andrew Wiggins.
The Warmth then sends Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami’s 2030 and 2032 first-round picks, 2029 and 2031 decide swaps, and Atlanta’s 2027 first-round decide for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.
Why the Warmth and Bucks would do it
The Warmth may provide 4 of their very own picks within the offseason, however solely two first-round picks on the deadline due to the Stepien rule. The Spurs sending the Hawks’ 2027 first-rounder would give the Warmth a key asset to make their provide extra interesting to Milwaukee now. Any crew that really will get Giannis is anticipated to be good, so getting a decide from a special franchise is effective. The Hawks, who’re in transition from Trae Younger, may very well be a lottery crew subsequent 12 months, so the decide is intriguing. Shedding Wiggins hurts their depth, nevertheless it could be the one approach to safe a 3rd decide to commerce, and so they may doubtlessly hold Barnes.
For the Bucks, getting a decide that received’t take years to convey may very well be a promoting level to their fan base, and the Miami provide may very well be one of the best one on the desk, because it offers them a borderline All-Star to flip (Herro), a blue chip prospect (Kel’el Ware), a latest first-rounder (Jakucionis) an enormous expiring (Rozier, plus the potential for a parallel commerce with Barnes for Kyle Kuzma), and a haul of picks. They go for a full rebuild, shedding wage and specializing in the long run, and they might obtain the majority of the draft property coming from Miami when Giannis and Bam Adebayo are anticipated to begin to decelerate.
The Spurs will not be the one crew that may grease the wheels on a Milwaukee-Miami commerce, however they will provide expiring offers that may facilitate a second, parallel transfer and provide a 3rd decide to sweeten the deal for Milwaukee, which makes them top-of-the-line matches.
Why the Spurs would do it
There are a number of the explanation why the Spurs would take into account making the commerce. The primary one is easy: Andrew Wiggins represents an improve over Harrison Barnes. The previous No. 1 general decide is youthful, extra athletic, a greater defender, and has shot 38 p.c from past the arc within the final 5 years. Barnes has the sting as a marksman and is extra sturdy than Wiggins, however he’s nearly 34 years previous, and his latest stoop may very well be an indication that he’s slowing down.
The second motive is that the transfer would offer a security internet for subsequent season. Barnes might be a free agent, whereas Wiggins has a participant possibility that he’s anticipated to select up, giving the Spurs a reliable veteran with fuel within the tank as a placeholder at one of many ahead spots on a mid-sized expiring contract. They’ll attempt to flip him or half methods with him because the crew turns into costlier. It may additionally permit them to let Julian Champagnie stroll if he turns into too dear, without having to throw Carter Bryant into their beginning lineup earlier than he’s prepared.
The third motive is that by ensuring the Warmth get Antetokounmpo, the Spurs are stopping Western groups from enhancing. The Timberwolves, specifically, may take a step ahead as contenders if they will add The Greek Freak to their crew whereas retaining some semblance of depth. They’d instantly have one of the best duo within the league in Anthony Edwards and Antetokounmpo. As for the Warriors, whereas they’d unlikely be a right away contender even with Giannis, they may very well be a tricky out within the playoffs and are a vacation spot franchise that might see different veterans depart cash on the desk to hitch a Curry-Antetokounmpo duo.
Lastly, whereas buying and selling a first-round decide for what will not be anticipated to be a season-changing improve might sound steep, the 2027 NBA draft is anticipated to be one of many weakest shortly. There are at all times gems in each class, because the Spurs proved once they chosen Stephon Fort in 2024, so it’s not a choice that ought to be made frivolously. However San Antonio might be not too involved within the younger expertise division, because the franchise has three top-five picks from the previous three drafts, and would nonetheless hold their 2026 decide, which may find yourself within the lottery, since they’ve swap rights with the Hawks.
The Antetokounmpo commerce could have large implications for the way forward for the league. The Spurs are on a special timeline, so it is sensible for them to not go after the massive prize of the transaction, but when they will improve at ahead for this season and certain the following, and hold Giannis within the East whereas solely buying and selling a first-rounder from a projected dangerous draft class, it could be value getting concerned.
