The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the NBA franchises dealing with the biggest storylines this summer due to the speculation around the future of their superstar player Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the media continues to be abuzz about potential trade packages involving Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee, one scenario remains potentially the most intriguing. Could Milwaukee deal Antetokounmpo to Dallas in exchange for the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft? However, in ESPN’s recent list of teams who could potentially entice Dallas to sacrifice their ability to draft Cooper Flagg, the Bucks were nowhere to be found.
Cooper Flagg
May 13, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg (51) participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
As Milwaukee Bucks Trade Speculation Builds, Does A Cooper Flagg Deal Make Sense?
As the noise around Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially being traded from the Milwaukee Bucks this summer seems like it will never die down, ESPN’s team of NBA Insiders recently took their shot at analyzing what could be the other biggest trade drama of the summer: would the Dallas Mavericks ever do a deal involving the rights to generational talent Cooper Flagg?
Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas Mavericks
Feb 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Flagg is destined to be the #1 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. After Dallas miraculously won the NBA Draft Lottery and thus, the rights to draft Flagg, speculation began around if Mavericks GM Nico Harrison would do another shocking trade involving Flagg. After all, he was the mind behind the Luka Dončić deal that shocked the league earlier this year.
While the Bucks currently find themselves in a position where they need to do everything in their power to help reassemble a championship-caliber team around Antetokounmpo, Harrison has his own timeline. A team led by Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving need to find a way to reach the NBA mountaintop in the next few seasons.
Dec 23, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports (NBA News)
Dec 23, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports (NBA News)
Flagg would represent an asset perhaps almost as valuable as Antetokounmpo, a multi-time league MVP and generational all-around player. However, in ESPN’s list of potential matches, Milwaukee did not appear in the list.
ESPN Names Several Other Teams That Could Trade for Cooper Flagg, Omitting the Milwaukee Bucks
Instead of creating even more trade speculation involving Milwaukee, ESPN insiders had a few other ideas about what teams could get a deal done with Harrison and the Mavericks. Firstly, a fellow Eastern Conference contender that could be in the mood for a high-level move.
In one proposed deal, the Cleveland Cavaliers would sacrifice two of their best players, Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, in addition to several draft picks, to grab Flagg in a multi-team deal that would sent Mitchell to Dallas and Allen to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, this deal seems unlikely, as the potential Irving-Mtichell backcourt combination does not make much sense given Harrison’s repeated statements about defense winning championships.
Cleveland Cavaliers Giannis Antetokounmpo
May 13, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) react during the second half against the Indiana Pacers in game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns were another team mentioned. A franchise that is in dire straights and has a track record of being willing to make big swings, one potential deal could involve Devin Booker and future draft picks. Would a Davis-Irving-Booker big three be enough to win an NBA championship?
The last team was the San Antonio Spurs, who could look to speed up their Victor Wembanyama timeline by giving their French superstar an elite young running mate in Flagg.
Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to shoot under pressure
Jan 8, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to shoot under pressure from San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Currently, the Bucks do not have to deal with poor leverage in any potential Antetokounmpo deal. If however, the Greek Freak were to request a trade, would Dallas then emerge as a team interested in his services? As the article notes, Dallas has multiple unprotected first round picks to deal in a potential trade, meaning they have both the desperation of a fast-closing title window and the assets to make a big swing.
As Bucks fans will continue to sweat out the summer in hopes that Antetokounmpo will be sticking around, the media will continue to dream up trade scenarios. Few scenarios would be as wild as Antetokounmpo for Flagg.
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