Giannis Antetokounmpo is the biggest name predicted to be traded in the coming off-season. A report from ESPN claimed Giannis is considering a move away from the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time in his career. This news sent the NBA media into a frenzy as they pondered potential moves for Giannis in the summer.
Among the potential moves, Bill Simmons brought up an interesting trade that could benefit both franchises involved. He went on his podcast with Ryen Russillo and wondered if the Cleveland Cavaliers should trade Evan Mobley for Antetokounmpo in the summer. Their conversation went like this:
Simmons: “Mobley for Giannis, straight up, what do you think? Straight up, he’s six and a half years younger, call it in right now.”
Russillo: “Done.”
Simmons: “You’re done if you’re Milwaukee?”
Russillo: “Yeah.”
Simmons: “I think I’m done if I’m Cleveland, too. I think I’m doing it. I think it’s a great trade. I guess the question for Cleveland is, do you overreact to what happened in those playoffs? Or do you say, eh! Garland was hurt, and Mobley missed Game 2. The series got away from us, we’re still really good, we won 64 games. Counter would be you could have a team with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Giannis on it, in a weakened East, and I think you’re immediately the favorites in the East.”
Russillo: “I realize like I’m losing the trade on talent out for talent in, and wondering like okay even the best version of Mobley, it’s likely he’s not going to be finishing Top 5 in the MVP race five years in a row. Comparing Mobley to the rest of the potential ‘make-believe’ stuff that we’re doing here, it’s better than Amen Thompson, it’s better than the No. 2 pick or the No. 3 pick.”
What Could A Realistic Trade Package Look Like?
While the points brought up by Simmons and Russillo are valid, the main reason I do not see the Bucks accepting a direct trade for Mobley and Antetokounmpo. Simply because Mobley is not a proven product like Antetokounmpo. While the age factor does play a role in this decision, it also shows that the Bucks will likely have to take a gamble on Mobley, who is nowhere close to putting up MVP numbers like Antetokounmpo.
Here’s what a realistic trade package between the teams could look like:
Cleveland Cavaliers get: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks get: Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, 2031 first-round pick (Cavs)
However, the Cavaliers will likely reject this trade since they will be giving up a lot of their bench in what seems to be a hasty move in the aftermath of a single playoff upset, despite a stellar season. While the aforementioned trade package is what will likely be discussed if the teams enter trade talks, it is highly unlikely that the Cavaliers will blow up their bench and youth for a win-now move with Giannis, especially since they already were the No. 1 with 64 wins in the Eastern Conference. Therefore, it is likely that this move will not happen.
