Giannis Antetokounmpo, if the season resumes, will be a two-time league MVP. It’s quite astonishing that a player who is only 25 has managed to win two straight MVPs and lead a team to the best record in the NBA.
While Giannis clearly wants to be one of the best players of all time, he can’t get there if he doesn’t have a strong chance to compete for an NBA title. Even if he says the right things, and believes that he can lead the Bucks to an NBA title, it might be difficult when both the Lakers and Clippers have two superstar players at least. In many cases, the Bucks go as far as Giannis carries them.
In the case that Giannis starts looking elsewhere, which is natural, he might find that playing alongside better players and shooters can help him win an NBA title. For the Bucks, they must be aware that this is now a player’s league and any player can request a trade. Luckily, there might be a trade package that the Bucks might not be able to reject.
Trade Package
Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, 1st Overall Pick, Eric Paschall for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ersan Ilyasova, George Hill and DJ Wilson (to match the salaries)
Assuming the Golden State Warriors capture the number one overall pick in the coming NBA Draft, they would be in a great position to offer a great package to the Bucks. Milwaukee is doing everything they can to keep Giannis happy, including surrounding him with as much talent as possible and even signing his brother to a contract. But it may not be enough if Giannis decides that his future is elsewhere. Especially if the Bucks fail to make the Finals, let alone win the NBA title in the next few years, Giannis would probably prefer a move to a bigger market.
In this scenario, the Bucks would want the maximum return possible for trading away arguably a top-three player in the game. They would probably want a return of a young player with a very high ceiling, a capable scorer, and a proven All-Star who can impact a franchise. Luckily, the Warriors have what it takes to offer that exact package.
If the Warriors, who currently hold the worst record in the league, get the number one pick they would probably draft LaMelo Ball. Ball seems to be a much more promising talent compared to his older brother, Lonzo, and probably has a much more potent outside jumper.
Even if the Warriors don’t draft LaMelo, they would grab James Wiseman or Anthony Edwards. These three young players are expected to be future stars, so the Bucks would require at least one of these young talents to even think about parting ways with Giannis.
Next, the Bucks would take Draymond Green who is still one of the best defensive players in the league and would fit directly with the Bucks excellent defensive system. Green would immediately become a leader for this team on the defensive side of the floor, and be the primary lead man on the break. Green is averaging a modest 8.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 6.2 APG this season but this is mainly due to the injuries sustained to Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry.
Finally, the Bucks would take Eric Paschall who has surprised many with his consistent play at the forward spot. Paschall is averaging 13.9 PPG and 4.6 RPG while shooting 49.6% from the field. In a horrific season for the Warriors this year, the 23-year old Paschall has been a shining light. The Bucks would also have to take Andrew Wiggins, a player who can still be a dominant two-way player. Wiggins is averaging 19.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 3.6 APG this season, and could potentially up his numbers as he continues to mature and be the main scoring option on a team.
Even if the Bucks part ways with Ilyasova, Hill and Wilson to match salaries; a haul of Green, Wiggins, Paschall, and one of the top young draft prospects might just be enough.
A big three of Klay, Steph, and Giannis would probably gift the Warriors a couple of Finals trips and an almost guaranteed NBA championship. Knowing the Warrior’s dedication to winning, they would do anything to team up Giannis with the Splash Brothers. They would be a nightmare on the break, on defense, and in the half-court. Giannis would be a triple-double threat as he normally is, and Klay and Steph would destroy the league from the perimeter. In a league with dynamic duos, their big three would reign above all.
