The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga has been one of the primary talking points of the offseason. Although there have been several iterations of the rumors surrounding the forward’s departure from the Milwaukee Bucks, there have been no conclusive trade packages to support the same.
Amidst all the trade chatter, a team that has been closely linked with the Greek forward has been the San Antonio Spurs. Featuring the likes of Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, along with a war chest of draft capital, the Spurs have been viewed as an ideal landing spot in the event of a trade.
With this in mind, we take a look at a trade proposal that sends Antetokounmpo to San Antonio, but doesn’t necessarily force the Bucks to rebuild. With a star player in Zion Williamson coming over to Milwaukee, the franchise may still have hope in building a competitive roster after this trade.
Proposed Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Zion Williamson, Keldon Johnson, 2025 No. 2 pick, 2027 First-Round pick (MIL swap rights)
New Orleans Pelicans: Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, 2027 First-Round pick (ATL), 2029 Second-Round pick
A trade of this nature would shift the seat of power in the West. Meanwhile, it potentially gives the Bucks some fuel to prevent them from careening to the bottom of the East, helping them structure a rebuild around their new star.
The Spurs Form A New Big Three
The addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo to the San Antonio Spurs makes for one of the most potent “Big Three” units in the league. Paired with Fox and Wembanyama, the Greek forward finds himself in a situation where he not only has the flexibility to focus only on scoring, but his responsibilities on defense are also reduced significantly.
Antetokounmpo’s dominance stems from his ability to do a bit of everything. From bringing the ball up the floor for halfcourt sets to anchoring the defense, the forward has been the pillar for Milwaukee’s success for a large part of his career.
Last season, these demands from the Bucks saw Antetokounmpo notch a ridiculous average of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. As impressive as this is, he would not be asked to do the same in San Antonio.
With the Spurs, the 30-year-old gets to take a step back from everything. With Fox managing the ball and Wembanyama anchoring the defense, Antetokounmpo would be free to dominate in the low post, the midrange, or under the basket.
As Antetokounmpo’s usage rate comes down, the Spurs may see him in a much better physical condition heading into the playoffs, where his championship experience would play a large role in facilitating success.
Zion Williamson Gets A Fresh Start
A trade of this magnitude also has immense value for the Milwaukee Bucks, who are parting with a franchise player to retool their roster with another star. Zion Williamson’s arrival doesn’t necessarily dictate the timeline for a rebuild, but it certainly ensures that Milwaukee remains a competitive team for the time being.
Williamson has been on the receiving end of a lot of bad press, a problem of his own making for the most part. But it is often forgotten how effective he is when he’s healthy and on the floor.
At only 24 years old, the Pelicans forward is one of the most dominant players in the league when it comes to scoring in the paint. Having averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists last season on 56.7% FG, Williamson is a tremendous asset to have for a team.
Along with Williamson, the Bucks would also acquire Spurs forward Keldon Johnson. The 25-year-old showcased a lot of upside two seasons ago. Unfortunately, due to a reduction in playing time, Johnson has stagnated and, to some extent, even regressed.
With an average of 12.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, it is evident that he is capable of contributing more. Thus, a new opportunity in the East could be exactly what he needs to reinvigorate his career.
Along with the solid young players coming over to the Bucks, they also acquired the Spurs’ prized possession, the No. 2 draft pick this year. With an opportunity to draft a talented young point guard in Dylan Harper, Milwaukee will look to make the most of this, while simultaneously holding onto the 2027 first-round pick.
The Pelicans Continue With Their Rebuild Project
The New Orleans Pelicans, as a franchise, are in a state of disarray. After several failed attempts at forming a roster capable of competing in the playoffs, the team is very likely to blow it up, starting with trading Williamson.
This trade proposal has a lot of benefits for the Pelicans as well. The acquisition of Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan is certainly nothing to scoff at. Vassell has shown a lot of growth over the last two seasons.
Embracing his role as a scorer with the Spurs, the 24-year-old has improved by leaps and bounds, averaging 16.3 points per game on shooting splits of 44.3% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc.
Additionally, Sochan is a lockdown defender and a capable rebounding presence. Although a touch undersized, the forward notches respectable averages of 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds.
In addition to these two young players, New Orleans will be more content with the 2027 first-round pick and the 2029 second-rounder as part of this trade. For all reasons, this trade gives the Pelicans the necessary pieces required to facilitate more trades in the future to aid their rebuilding project.
The Decision Lies With Giannis
All trade rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo began with his decision to consider potential trades in the offseason. While he mentioned his preferred destinations as well, recent updates have suggested that he may not leave Milwaukee after all.
Antetokounmpo has hopes of going to the Finals with the Bucks again. This intent suggests a very real likelihood that the trade market for the forward is dead. Hence, undoing any potential trade rumors involving him.
While this may also be subject to change later in the offseason, it is safe to say that the decisions involving trades will lie with Antetokounmpo.
