Giannis Antetokounmpo could be the next big star traded.
Following his third straight first-round exit, his future with the Milwaukee Bucks is now uncertain.
With Damian Lillard tearing his Achilles and the Bucks roster having many holes, there is a growing belief around the league that Antetokounmpo could be dealt this offseason.
Cue the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto has long coveted Antetokounmpo for more than a decade. In 2013, Raptors president Masai Ujiri tried to get into the first-round to draft him. Then in 2020, the Raptors created cap space flexibly hoping Antetokounmpo would test the free agent market the following summer. But he ultimately re-signed with the Bucks.
Ujiri and the Raptors are always seemingly in the mix whenever a superstar suddenly becomes available. The Raptors were reportedly the frontrunners to acquire Kevin Durant a few summers ago and then made a strong push for Damian Lillard in 2023.
Could this be the summer where the Raptors pull off a trade for a big star?
It ultimately comes down to would the Raptors be willing to part ways with Scottie Barnes. A deal for Antetokounmpo would almost certainly begin with Barnes who the Bucks could start their rebuild around.
The Raptors would have to package Barnes with RJ Barrett or Jakob Poeltl to make the salary work. Or they could package Barnes with young players like Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick. Beyond that the Raptors would need to sweeten the pot with draft picks. The Raptors do control all of its future first-round picks, which includes this year’s selection which is projected to go No. 7 ahead of the NBA Draft Lottery.
In theory, the Raptors could create a deal that doesn’t include Barnes. It could include Barrett, Poeltl and a bunch of future first-round picks but the Bucks would very likely decline that deal.
Especially when other teams can make compelling offers. The Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and even Oklahoma City Thunder can all make enticing offers with their young talent and draft assets.
It would be surprising if the Raptors were willing to include Barnes in this deal considering they didn’t make him available for Kevin Durant not too long ago. However, Ujiri has made it clear that he wants to win again. The Raptors have already sped up their rebuilding process by trading for Brandon Ingram, so perhaps Ujiri has another all-in move up his sleeve.
If Antetokounmpo does in fact become available this summer, expect the Raptors to be involved in those conversations.
CBS Sports projects Raptors taking Kasparas Jakucionis in 2025 NBA Draft
While the Toronto Raptors are in need of a backup big, they could pivot and go guard.
That guard could be Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis, that’s what CBS Sports’ Gary Parish predicts in his latest mock draft.
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