Following a 1-3 start to the season, rumors began to appear that Giannis Antetokounmpo is not happy with the Milwaukee Bucks and he might ask for a trade. Then the Bucks lost one more game, and now social media is buzzing.
Of all the teams in the league, maybe Boston is the only one that wouldn’t want to get Giannis. According to reports, the Greek Freak has two preferred destinations, Miami and Brooklyn. Throw in the usual suspects like the Golden State Warriors, and you have a bidding war.
Yet, not every superstar gets to his preferred destinations. Let’s take a look at five other candidates for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
Top 5 Dark Horse Candidates for a Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder is no stranger to luring All-Stars to their team via trade. Let’s not forget, that when everyone thought Paul George was going to the Lakers via trade, the Thunder swooped in and got him.
If the Thunder wish to make a trade, they can make one for almost any player in the league. No other team in the league can offer the type of package with draft assets and young players like the Thunder.
They might have the best young star to offer in Jalen Williams, plus a combination of Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and then throw in Lu Dort for salary purposes. They also have one of the juiciest draft picks, the Clippers unprotected in 2025.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are a young team with a generational talent on their roster. While some might say they are better off waiting a year or two to get more young players and let Victor Wembanyama develop, you should always try to get a player like Giannis. Just imagine the terror Giannis and Wemby can do on the defensive end. The offense might be problematic, but with three more shooters around them, they can work.
Similar to the Thunder, the Spurs have a plethora of young players and draft picks at their disposal. For salary purposes, any trade would have to begin with Keldon Johnson, and then young players like Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, Stephon Castle, and more if needed. Speaking of draft picks, the Spurs can throw in Atlanta’s first round pick without protections and their own in 2025, and swap rights with the Hawks in 2026.
Houston Rockets
For the past year or so, the Houston Rockets have been trying to get back to the playoffs. Their owner Tilman Fertitta has lost his patience and wants a team that will compete. This summer, they managed to get control of Suns picks from 2025 and 2027, and they also have the Nets pick in 2027. That is not a bad offer if the Bucks want to take it.
They also have plenty of young players like Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, and Amen Thompson. They might have to throw in Dillon Brooks to make salaries work. The only downside here is that they just signed Jalen Green to an extension. Any deal will have to be postponed until likely next offseason as Green has a poison pill restriction until July 1, 2025.
Memphis Grizzlies
Two seasons ago, the Memphis Grizzlies were the second best team in the West during the regular season. Last season, things went south with Ja Morant, injuries, and everything in between.
As they are looking to get back into contention, the Grizzlies are a great Giannis Antetokounmpo trade destination. The problem for Memphis is they do not have as many appealing assets like the other teams on this list.
What they can offer is a combination of players like Santi Aldama, Desmond Bane, Scotty Pippen Jr, Zach Edey, and even Yuki Kawamura. They do have all their draft picks in the following years, plus some second-round picks from the Clippers and Hawks.
New Orleans Pelicans
At first glance, the Pelicans don’t look like a team that can offer much to the Bucks in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. But the Pelicans hold the future of the Bucks. They have the rights to their 2025 pick, 5-30 protected, swap rights in 2026, and their pick in 2027 without protections. In other words, if the Bucks end up trading Giannis to another place and tank, the Pelicans will be the beneficiary.
The Pelicans also have their own pick in 2025, 26, 28, and 29 to offer. Looking at the players they can offer, the offer should begin with Trey Murphy III, a budding young star, and then maybe Jordan Hawkins, Yves Missi and Herb Jones. The Bucks will likely want nothing to do with Brandon Ingram, but if the Pelicans can find a third team to unload Ingram and give more assets to the Bucks, this might be a great trade.
Let’s not forget, at one point, Giannis could be traded for Zion Williamson was trending. It is hard to see the Pelicans trading Zion now, but they do have other assets to offer.
Which Team Has the Best Package?
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors will continue until the deadline. Or, maybe a team will come in and swoop in. As for potential partners, we have to say that the Thunder and the Pelicans have the best offer. The Thunder can offer the best player in Williams and a plethora of draft picks. The Pelicans can give back the Bucks their picks, allowing Milwaukee to tank and rebuild without fear of losing draft capital.
If Giannis continues to press for a trade, the Bucks should try and get the best offer in return. Yes, he might have preferences, but the Bucks know first-hand that preferences do not matter. After all, they got Damian Lillard when he was 100% set on Miami.
