Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, trade rumors
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As Victor Wembanyama closes in on a return from injury, the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors are a perfect scenario for the Spurs.
The San Antonio Spurs have consistently been listed among the top teams to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. They have the young players and draft assets, and a deal for the 2021 Finals MVP would create an Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama duo that would send shivers down the spines of the rest of the NBA.
While the Spurs do have a lot to offer the Milwaukee Bucks, they have reportedly made it clear that they are not willing to send out Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper, their last two first-round picks, in a trade for Antetokounmpo.They would be the best young assets in a deal, but a new trade offerdoesn’t include either, a potential packagethat the Spurs would likely be happygiving up to get back the superstar.
Evan Sidery
It’s widely believed in league circles that Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle are untouchable in trade talks, even for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
San Antonio would then build a trade package for the Bucks in February around De’Aaron Fox, other pieces of their core, plus draft capital.
Writing for SB Nation, Chris Dudenbostel outlined a trade idea that would pair Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo together in San Antonio and would allow them to keep both Castle and Harper.
NewSpurs’ Giannis Trade Idea
San Antonio Spurs, Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, Giannis trade rumors,
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on March 20, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Here’s the trade idea outlined, and what both teams would get in what would be perhaps thebiggest NBA trade over the past few years:
Spurs receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis
Bucks receive: Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Kelly Olynyk, Keldon Johnson, and three first-round picks
While the deal Dudenbostel proposed might be unlikely, considering the Buckswouldn’t get back either of the two young rising stars, it certainlyisn’t the worst package they could get back for Antetokounmpo. The other Antetokounmpo is likely a guarantee in any deal including his brother, and sending out Portis would mean a rebuild is all but imminent.
“This deal has the Bucks getting a young, scoring guard in Devin Vassell (15.7 points per game, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists) and a two-way forward in Keldon Johnson (13.0 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists),”he wrote on the trade idea. “The Bucks also receive two expiring contracts in Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk that could free up additional cap space in the summer.”
For the Spurs, besides just getting Antetokounmpo, they would keep Castle and Harper, two players who havebeen previously included in prior trade discussions.San Antonio keeping them would be amajor plus, but that would likely onlycome if the Greek Freak forces himself to the Alamo City, leaving the Bucks withnot a lot of optionsleft.
“This deal enters the Spurs into championship contention right now,”Dudenbostel added.
Victor Wembanyama Injury Update
Victor Wembanyama injury update, San Antonio Spurs NBA Cup
GettyVictor Wembanyama has missed the last 11 games for the Spurs with a calf injury, and a new injury update on his status for the NBA Cup.
The reasonfor the Spurs sending out so much for Antetokounmpo would solely be to pair another superstar with Wembanyama and immediately heighten their championship window. However, the latter star has been out with a calf strain for the past few weeks, and making a trade for the Greek Freak would require San Antonio to have their French center healthy.
While he has missed a decent chunk of time, including theSpurs’ latest NBA Cup game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Wembanyama is traveling with the team,with the expectation that he should return to on-court action soon.
Jeff McDonald
Mitch Johnson says Victor Wembanyama WILL travel with the team to Los Angeles for the NBA Cup game Wednesday.
Doesn’t neccesarily mean he will play, but a “no” would obviously have ruled him out.
“He had a very good day today,”head coach Mitch Johnson said of Wembanyama after theteam’s NBA Cup quarterfinal win. “He had a good intent day this morning andwe’ll have to see how he responds and reacts tomorrow.”
Per Jared Weiss of The Athletic, Wembanyama has a strong chance to return to action on Saturday in theteam’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Even with him out, the Spurs have been hot over the past few weeks. SinceWembanyama’s absence, San Antonio has gone 9-3 and seen strong performances out ofDe’Aaron Fox, Castle, and Harper. They would love to have their star back, but unlike other teams, theyhaven’t floundered as much without the franchise centerpiece.