The Giannis Antetokounmpo to Toronto Raptors rumors are heating up.
It was first reported by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that the Raptors are “looking for a big fish” this summer and that any team looking to make a big move in the East will have Giannis Antetokounmpo on their board.
Then Toronto Star’s Doug Smith reported that there is mutual interest between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors.
Although Antetokounmpo hasn’t formally requested a trade yet, if he does, the Raptors will almost certainly be apart of those conversations.
Raptors president Masai Ujiri has long coveted Antetokounmpo for over a decade, even before he became an NBA player.
If the Raptors are active in Antetokounmpo trade talks, no one will be untouchable on their roster, according to Smith.
Smith was on Sactown Sports 1140 and talked about how the Raptors could center a potential Antetokounmpo deal around Scottie Barnes:
“I think they will probably talk about Scottie Barnes as a centrepiece… I don’t think there’s anybody on the roster they wouldn’t talk to.”
If Toronto is willing to trade Barnes they could put forth a competitive package. They have their future first-round picks in tact and many young players who they could add in as salary filler.
A Raptors deal for the Bucks superstar could look like Barnes and RJ Barrett or Barnes and both of Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick plus multiple first-round picks for Antetokounmpo.
Ujiri has stated he wants to win again and with the Raptors making the trade for Brandon Ingram it appears they’re looking to get back to contention soon.
Perhaps Toronto is willing to go all-in on a move on Antetokounmpo which would instantly give them a chance at contention in an Eastern Conference that appears to be wide open going into next season.
Toronto looking for ‘a big fish’ to add this offseason
The Toronto Raptors could have a big move up their sleeve this offseason.
“The Raptors are a team that is starting to make noise within the league about looking for a big fish,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast. “There are some teams that sniff the ability to make a move and I think Toronto is one of those teams.”
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