The talk of the NBA right now is Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future in Milwaukee following Wednesday's report from ESPN's Shams Charania stating that the two-time MVP is ready for a new home. With that, every fan base is starting to build hypothetical trade packages online that see their favorite team landing the superstar forward. So I thought today I'd take a swing at it for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Yes, I understand the Pelicans trading for Antetokounmpo is a fantasy, but just walk with me and immerse yourself in a reality where it could happen.
The Pelicans may have one of the best trade packages for Giannis
Firstly, the biggest thing the Pelicans can offer the Bucks is the opportunity to regain control of their own first-round pick in year one of the post-Giannis era. This is thanks to the 2020 Jrue Holiday trade, as one of the first-round picks acquired in that deal was Milwaukee's 2027 pick rights. I think everyone can agree that if the Bucks are trading Giannis, there's zero value in trying to jump right back into contention, and shifting to a full-scale rebuild is the right call.
To make that rebuild a success, being able to control your destiny by regaining your first-round pick in year one of that process would be crucial.
Next is giving them players to match salaries—first would be Zion Williamson, who is currently on one of the healthiest runs of his career, playing in all 23 of the Pelicans' last games. He's also doing this while averaging 22.0 points per game this season and is in the best shape of his career.
I'm not going to say he would be the successor to Giannis, but he would give the Bucks a fun piece who's still young at 25 and can help the post-Giannis-era core develop.
The other player in this deal who needs to match salary is Herb Jones, who has had his fair share of injuries this season and has appeared in just 26 games. That said, when he does play, he is a top-tier defender in the league and is someone Milwaukee could look to flip for additional draft capital from a contender.
The other two players going to the Bucks in this hypothetical are Yves Missi and rookie Jeremiah Fears. Over the last several weeks, Missi has been the subject of numerous rumors and appears to be someone New Orleans is actively shopping around. He is an obvious addition, as it gives the Bucks a young big man who could become their center of the future. As far as Fears goes, he has an insane amount of potential and has given the Pels a ton of flashes, and would likely be the Bucks' point guard of the future.
Pair all of that with two additional first-round picks, and I think you make saying 'no' an incredibly uncomfortable answer for Bucks GM John Horst to give.
This deal would give the Pelicans a projected starting five when healthy of Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey, Giannis, and Derik Queen. Sure, the bench has a ton of holes now, but that may be good enough for New Orleans to get back to the playoffs in the 2026-27 season.
Obviously, the likelihood of this trade actually happening is highly unlikely, as the Pelicans don’t appear interested in shaking up their young core. But crazier things have happened in the last year—we saw Luka Dončić traded to the Lakers, so if the Pelicans ever wanted to explore this option, it wouldn't be shocking to see the Bucks open to it.