No name is hotter on the NBA trade market right now than Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. The repeat MVP, World Champion, and perpetual All-NBA candidate may be nearing the end of his tenure in Milwaukee. He has one guaranteed year left on his contract, a player option after. If he wishes, he can become an unrestricted free agent in the Summer of 2027. That’s lending fuel to the fire of a departure from the now-struggling Bucks, who failed to make the playoffs this year and don’t appear
to be getting better anytime soon.
Predictably, plenty of NBA pundits are positing destinations for Antetokounmpo. The Portland Trail Blazers feature in several of them. The Bucks are impoverished for draft picks, having traded most of their future selections in bids to get quality help for Giannis. Portland not only holds their own picks, but two future draft swaps (2028 and 2030) plus a 2029 first-rounder, all belonging to the Bucks themselves. More than one expert has noted the potential irony of the Blazers buying the superstar with Milwaukee’s own money.
Yesterday Ricky O’Donnell of our own SBNation NBA arm published six trades that could make sense for the Bucks this summer. His suggestion for Portland caught my eye. It reads:
Bucks receive: Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Yang Hansen, 2028 and 2030 Bucks swaps returned, 2032 Blazers first-round pick
Trail Blazers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Here’s the question. If you were Blazers GM Joe Cronin, would you do it?
For reference, Antetokounmpo is 31 years old. He averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 28.9 minutes per game this season, shooting 62.4% from the field and 33.3% on his infrequent three-point attempts. He played in only 36 games due to injuries. He averaged 71.5 games per year over his first 12 seasons in the league. He is scheduled to make $58.5 million next season.
So, Blazers fans and analysts, yes or no on O’Donnell’s proposal? Is the cost too much, too little, or just right? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
