Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Getty
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks takes a moment before a game.
If Giannis Antetokounmpo decides to go somewhere else to win his much-desired second ring, the Milwaukee Bucks can have the San Antonio Spurs as a viable trade partner out west.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed a return package for the Bucks, complete with draft assets, a young prospect and solid veterans that will be too good to pass up.
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Harrison Barnes, Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, 2027 first-round pick (via ATL), 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick (most favorable of SAC or SAS)
According to Hughes, this deal could make the Bucks’ books cleaner, especially after the Damian Lillard waive-and-stretch move gave them $22 million in dead money over each of the next five seasons.
But more importantly, they get a promising player in Castle, who was the NBA Rookie of the Year last season.
“Castle could thrive as a lead guard with [Myles] Turner spacing the floor,” Hughes wrote.
Castle averaged 14.7 points and 4.1 assists last season for the Spurs. He is bound to flourish if he gets to Milwaukee, where there is no De’Aaron Fox or Dylan Harper to contend with for major minutes.
Bucks Can Strike Gold in Possible Spurs Deal
Jeremy Sochan, Stephon Castle, Bucks, Spurs
Getty Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs high fives Stephon Castle after a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
But with Antetokounmpo sure to receive a strong interest from the rest of the NBA, the Bucks will hold the leverage. They could ask for more.
“Castle is a key piece of the deal here, and it’s possible the Bucks would hold out for Dylan Harper and/or more draft capital. We’re addressing San Antonio’s side, though, and it can afford to lose last season’s Rookie of the Year with Harper in the fold and De’Aaron Fox recently inked to a four-year extension,” Hughes wrote.
Barnes and Johnson are no slouches either.
The Bucks have no incentive to enter into full rebuilding. So, this complete package from the Spurs will help them stay afloat in the weaker Eastern Conference.
Sochan is also a wild card. If he can improve his outside shot, there is a chance the Bucks strike gold in this Hughes trade proposal.
Giannis Continues Weighing His Future in Milwaukee
According to Charania, Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee remains in doubt.
“We’re standing here, it’s Aug. 4. Sources tell me there’s still nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee or whether he will be leaving,” Charania reported on Aug. 4. “And so, he’s going to continue to evaluate his future.
“I reported it in mid-May that he’s evaluating whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or is it elsewhere. And that process is continuing. There’s been some very real conversations over the past week or so. The constant question that Giannis has, though, is, ‘Can I win a championship with this roster? Is this roster going to be one for this upcoming year and 2026-2027?’ He wants to win a second championship. So, he’s asking that question over and over.”
The Bucks essentially replaced Brook Lopez, who signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency, with Turner. And then they got career backup point guard Cole Anthony to fill in the spot left by the injured Damian Lillard, whose remaining $103 million contract was waived and stretched to create cap room to sign Turner.