The Giannis Antetokounmpo-to-Toronto Raptors speculation might have be put on hold.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst provided the latest update on the Antetokounmpo trade rumors and said that for now, Antetokounmpo is not available.
“He has made no trade request to the Bucks,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s Get Up. “He’s made no trade hint to the Bucks. The Bucks are proceeding with their offseason as if Giannis is going to be with them. There are no significant trade talks right now. The plan is for Giannis Antetokounmpo to be a Buck. He can change all that with a simple request, but that request has not happened and it’s not clear that it’s going to happen anytime soon.”
This latest report might dampen the Raptors’ chances of landing a big fish. The team has been at the center of recent trade speculation involving the Milwaukee Bucks superstar. The Raptors have been linked to Antetokounmpo for more than a decade and Toronto Star’s Doug Smith reported that Antetokounmpo and the Raptors have “mutual interest.” All of the trade buzz for the Raptors got started when Windhorst reported the Raptors are looking to make a major addition this offseason.
However, if Antetokounmpo has not asked for a trade, there will be no opportunity to acquire him.
Things can still change however as the NBA offseason has yet to commence. The Bucks need to figure out how to upgrade their roster as they are expected to be without Damian Lillard for the entire season.
Meanwhile, for the Raptors they will have to stay patient and continue to monitor the situation. If Antetokounmpo is made available for trade, the Raptors can put forth a compelling package for the two-time NBA MVP.
However, for now the dream of Antetokounmpo to Toronto seems unlikely.
Raptors projected to take Derik Queen in CBS Sports’ latest mock draft
The Toronto Raptors who have been linked to many trade rumors ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft are slatted to pick No. 9.
If the Raptors end up keeping their pick and don’t part ways with it in a potential deal, the team will likely draft a center which is a positional need.
At least Gary Parrish thinks so. He has the Raptors landing Maryland big man Derik Queen in his latest mock draft for CBS Sports.
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