The Milwaukee Bucks have made it clear that they will let Giannis Antetokounmpo choose where they trade him. He hasn’t officially declared a trade, but with the Bucks’ current roster construction, it’s clear they aren’t very close to contending.
New York is rumored to be Giannis’ preferred trade destination, but I don’t think they will be able to provide Milwaukee with an optimal trade package. Any Knicks trade starts and ends with Karl Anthony-Towns. KAT is a phenomenal player, but for a team looking to rebuild, the best case scenario is that they can repackage Towns into future picks.
San Antonio would be the best landing spot for Giannis, but they seem very reluctant to trade any of their cores. They said Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle were untouchable in any trade deals, and if they aren’t moved, I’m not sure a deal for Devin Vassell or De’Aaron Fox really excites me. If they are willing to move some of their younger players, that changes my mindset about a deal with the Spurs.
That’s why I’m surprised the Cavaliers haven’t been involved in more trade discussions for Giannis. He may be reluctant to move to Cleveland, but I think they easily have the most interesting pieces available to trade.
A big problem is that Cleveland is in hell. They’ll need to find a way to get under the second apron, but with De’Andre Hunter making $23 million this season, terminating his contract in a three-team deal could immediately solve that problem.
This season has been difficult for Cleveland. Their core four struggled to stay healthy, and the two-guard, two-big experiment of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen looked more flawed than ever. Not only that, but the possibility of winning a championship with Mitchell as the number one option doesn’t seem too viable in the modern NBA.
A Mobley-for-Giannis or Garland-and-Allen-for-Giannis deal makes a lot of sense for both sides. These three players are relatively young and have proven themselves to be All-Stars. These three would thrive with a lineup better built around them. Additionally, if you trade Giannis for a contender, the picks you get in return will likely be weak first-round selections. If you find a player almost as good as Garland or Mobley, you’ll make that choice in a heartbeat.
Putting Giannis and Mitchell together would be the best duo in the NBA. Two top 10 guys, looking for playoff success that they haven’t had in recent years. Trading with Cleveland isn’t the flashiest move, but it could be the most fruitful for both sides.
