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With the Milwaukee Bucks’ season officially over, all focus has now shifted to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. Will the two-time league MVP look to continue his playing career elsewhere? If Antetokounmpo finally asks out, what teams could potentially muster up the best trade package? Here are four teams to look out for as we brace for the Summer of Giannis:
Houston Rockets
Rockets trade: Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, Aaron Holiday, ’25 1st-round pick, ’27 1st-round pick, ’29 1st-round pick
Bucks trade: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Rockets are staring at a first-round exit following a 52-win campaign. It’s a group built on defense, toughness, and athleticism, but lacking the true superstar needed to overcome the elite Western Conference teams. Perhaps Jalen Green can become that one day, but his first playoff appearance hasn’t been encouraging outside of one outlier performance. In this deal, the Rockets move on from three recent first-round picks to acquire Antetokounmpo.
Houston would be able to roll out a starting lineup in ’25-’26 consisting of Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun, and Giannis. All while still holding onto Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason who could eventually take over for VanVleet and Brooks. Adding Antetokounmpo would allow Houston to keep its defensive identity while having a go-to scorer to keep up with the All-Stars in the West.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder trade: Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Nikola Topic, Kenrich Williams, Dillon Jones, 2025 1st-round pick (via MIA), 2025 1st-round pick (via PHI), 2027 1st-round pick (via DEN), 2029 1st-round pick, 2029 1st-round pick (via DEN), 2031 1st-round pick, multiple pick swaps
Bucks trade: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Thunder have the assets to pull such a deal off. Oklahoma City is hoarding 10 first-round picks over the next six years. They have plenty of contracts to make the money work for both sides. It doesn’t even need to be this specific group of players. In this particular deal, the Thunder would be holding onto Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace who could also potentially be included. If the Thunder were to suddenly flame out of the postseason, there could even be discussions about moving Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren in a possible deal for Giannis.
Pairing Antetokounmpo with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA’s worst nightmare. Especially because the Thunder would still have plenty of talent around those two players to have sustained success. A team that just won 68 games, the one thing the Thunder are missing is a traditional power forward. Somebody who can battle with the big-bodied bruisers of the league. Antetokounmpo could play next to Holmgren or Hartenstein, or even fill in at center. He’s a snug fit for the title-contending Thunder.
San Antonio Spurs
Spurs trade: Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, 2025 1st-round pick (via ATL), 2027 1st-round pick (via ATL), 2029 1st-round pick, 2031 1st-round pick
Bucks trade: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis and Victor Wembanyama would have opponents reconsidering ever stepping foot inside the paint. San Antonio’s interior defense would automatically be the best in the league. Plus, think of the fast break opportunities for a team that features those two down-low plus arguably the fastest player in basketball in De’Aaron Fox.
For the Spurs, Castle has high upside but became expendable once Fox was added. Vassell didn’t live up to expectations this past year, though he’ll be just 25 next season and is a 37-percent three-point shooter on high volume. They’d be able to get this deal done without giving up their own pick this year — leaving them in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.
Orlando Magic
Magic trade: Franz Wagner, Mo Wagner, Jett Howard, 2025 1st-round pick, 2027 1st-round pick, 2029 1st-round pick, 2031 1st-round pick
Bucks trade: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Wagner is perhaps the best caliber of player Milwaukee could potentially get in a Giannis deal. The 23-year-old is coming off a season in which he averaged 24.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 4.7 APG. If the Bucks’ shooting coaches can help him rediscover his three-point stroke (35.8-percent first two seasons, 28.9-percent last two seasons), Wagner will become a multiple-time All-Star in the Eastern Conference.
For the Magic, Antetokounmpo would vault them into contending status within the East. He’d be surrounded by long, athletic defenders — unlike the last few years in Milwaukee. Offensively, teams loading up to defend Antetokounmpo would allow more space for Paolo Banchero to operate. It’s not a seamless fit, but look for the Magic to make a splash in the offseason.
