The Milwaukee Bucks’ third consecutive first-round playoff loss, this time at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, has reignited speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee. With Damian Lillard suffering a torn Achilles and the Bucks’ championship window looking pretty much nonexistent, the prospect of Antetokounmpo seeking a trade is more likely now than ever. Here’s an in-depth look at why he might consider leaving and which teams could emerge as top Giannis Antetokounmpo trade destinations.
Bucks Eliminated: Top Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Destinations
Giannis Needs A Change
Since the Bucks won the 2021 NBA Finals, things haven’t gone as planned. Instead of continuing their reign as the powerhouse of the Eastern Conference, they have fallen behind teams like the Boston Celtics as the premier contenders in their conference. The Bucks haven’t put together a significant championship run since they won in 2021. This is simply unacceptable for a team with one of the best players in the world on their team.
The Bucks also aren’t in a position to change things around drastically. They tried with Lillard, but that didn’t work. Now they are devoid of future assets and don’t have enough talent on their current roster to put Giannis in a position to win another championship. That’s why many are expecting a trade request from the star to happen sometime soon. The question is, where should he go?
Teaming Up With Curry
The Warriors have long been considered a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade destination. Since losing Kevin Durant in 2019, they have been constantly trying to find another star to pair with Stephen Curry. Although they have been having lots of success with their recent acquisition of Jimmy Butler, the Warriors’ ownership will certainly be wanting even more, especially if they fall short in this year’s playoffs.
Giannis has also always had a great relationship with Curry. They both play with a similar joy, humility, and killer instinct. There’s no doubt that those two pairing up would instantly give Giannis a great opportunity at another championship. The Warriors would likely trade anything they have to extend Curry’s prime with a younger bona fide superstar on this side. The only question would be whether they have enough assets to offer.
Rockets Get a Star
The Houston Rockets are missing one piece. They are a great team, with lots of young talent and potential for the future. However, they are missing a superstar and a late-game closer to push them over the edge. Although the Rockets don’t have the same superstar pull as the Warriors, they have two things the Warriors don’t: youth and assets.
The Rockets could certainly offer one of the best packages to trade for Giannis. They have a trove of draft picks and intriguing young talent that could help the Bucks pivot into a rebuild. They could give up a lot and still be well situated to enter the future with Giannis as their star building block.
If Giannis is interested in joining a team with younger players that will only improve as he ages, the Rockets could be a great option. He would also be the man in Houston, while in Golden State, he would forever be in the shadow of Curry’s greatness. Add in no state income tax, and Houston becomes a very intriguing destination for Giannis.
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