Many factors will go into any trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but in terms of offers among realistic suitors, the Warriors could have the easiest path towards putting together a compelling trade package, writes ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Marks looks at 11 teams who could potentially make a move for the Bucks’ star. Among those 11, he has the Warriors and Pistons tied for the lowest degree of difficulty in terms of making an enticing offer, due to the two teams’ combination of young players, salary-matching contracts, and available draft picks.
He notes that **Jimmy Butler**‘s two-year, $111MM contract would be required in any deal for Antetokounmpo, and that the Warriors could then include Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, four first-round picks, including a pick in this year’s loaded draft, and up to three pick swaps. Such a deal would require taking back either Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma, whom the Bucks would likely be interested in moving off of.
While Antetokounmpo’s preference will likely come into play in any deal, the number of picks the Warriors can offer could hold appeal compared to teams like the Heat, who can only offer two picks starting in 2030, or the Knicks, who can’t trade a first-round pick until the offseason outside of the protected Wizards pick they own that is unlikely to convey.
We have more from around the Pacific Division:
LeBron James is almost certain to stay with the Lakers at this trade deadline, but some in his circle have speculated he could return for another season next year, and that such a return might not be with the Lakers, reports Shams Charania for ESPN (video link). “If he does actually play one more season, there is definitely chatter,” Sharania said. “*Where could that be? Could that be in Cleveland? Where could that be? Could it be back in LA?*” Charania emphasized that James’ focus at present is playing out the year with the Lakers, who will be active trying to improve the team at the trade deadline.
With **Patrick Baldwin Jr.**‘s 10-day deal expiring, the Under-15 Counter is on for the Clippers, notes Spotrac’s Keith Smith (via Twitter). This rule prevents a team carrying fewer than 15 players on its standard roster from having its two-way players active for more than 90 combined games. Because of this, Smith writes that Los Angeles has just five more games in which both Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller can be active. Converting one of the two of them to a full-time deal after the trade deadline could solve this issue, with Miller being the more likely of the two. The third-year wing has averaged 14.3 points in 28.5 minutes per game over his last 10 games.
A technical foul that Dillon Brooks received in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game between the Suns and Nets, the NBA tweeted. This puts him at a league-leading 14 technicals for the season, one ahead of the Lakers’ Luka Doncic, which means he’s still two technicals away from a one-game suspension.