Danny Parkins discusses whether or not it is panic time for the Milwaukee Bucks as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future stays unsure and elimination looms within the NBA Playoffs
“They’re in — arguably them and Phoenix — the worst state of affairs of any crew within the NBA,” Danny Parkins mentioned Tuesday on Breakfast Ball. “They’ve spent a ton of cash on gamers who are actually harm. They’ve given up a ton of draft picks to accumulate mentioned harm gamers, and they’ll get bounced within the first spherical of the playoffs. Their solely method out of it, is to commerce the very best participant of their franchise historical past, but when they do, they usually attempt to tank, they do not even personal these draft picks as a result of they traded them away. So they’re in an terrible, terrible state of affairs.”
Between their lack of draft captial and Lillard’s harm, the Bucks are closely restricted in making strikes to enhance the core round Antetokounmpo.
That leaves one transfer, seeing what they will get for him. To reset, or to rebuild. And, on the similar time, giving Antetokounmpo an opportunity to compete whereas he is nonetheless in his prime. As his and the Bucks’ offseason begins, listed below are the highest companions for a Giannis-trade:
Bundle: Bam Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Anderson, three first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2030)
Evaluation Outcomes-wise, Miami is in the same place to Milwaukee. The Warmth have misplaced within the first around the final two seasons. Antetokounmpo, alone, might get them again to the place crew President, Pat Riley, needs them to be: contending for championships. What they’ve that the Bucks do not is draft capital. Milwaukee, although, does not simply desire a haul of picks from a crew that is getting its celebrity as a result of any crew which acquires Antetokounmpo will not choose excessive. So the Warmth must ship them a trio of picks and Adebayo, who helps Milwaukee proceed to compete.
Bundle: Karl-Anthony Towns, one first-round choose (2026 through Washington 1-10 protected)
Evaluation: Whereas the Knicks superior from their Japanese Convention first-round collection with the Detroit Pistons in # video games, they do not appear like they will match Boston’s caliber. That is a troublesome actuality for a crew that unloaded a mixed seven first-round picks plus Julius Randle and Donte Divincenzo for Mikal Bridges and Karl Anthony-Cities final offseason. Due to that, they solely have one future choose they will commerce — a 2026 top-10-protected Washington Wizards choose. The Bucks most likely want extra draft capital if they’ll transfer Antetokounmpo, but when they simply desire a approach to keep aggressive, doing, primarily, a 1-for-1 swap for Cities might make sense.
Bundle: Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, and Zach Edey OR Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley, John Konchar and Jaylen Wells; both deal would additionally embrace three first-round picks (2027, 2029, 2031)
The Grizzlies have a call to make. That is now six seasons of the Ja Morant – Jaren Jackson Jr. pairing and whereas they’ve completed as excessive as second within the Western Convention, twice, they have not made it previous the second spherical. In 2025, they took a step again, getting swept by Oklahoma Metropolis within the first spherical. That is sufficient of a pattern measurement to grasp that having Morant and Jackson as your greatest two gamers is not adequate to contend for a title. Due to this fact, they could have to decide on between them.
Morant is without doubt one of the hottest athletes to ever grace Memphis, however his off-court antics and accidents have turn out to be extra of a narrative than his on-court manufacturing as of late. He additionally could also be extra engaging to Milwaukee as a result of, not solely does he permit them to remain aggressive, however he’ll promote jerseys and maintain the crew related as they reset or rebuild.
Jackson Jr. would additionally assist the Bucks keep afloat, and the Grizzlies might imagine he might be a clumsy match alongside a fellow 7-footer in Antetokounmpo. However, in the event that they consider they will construct round these two huge males, they might doubtlessly have the very best protection within the NBA, and would simply have to determine the purpose guard place. Parting methods with Morant, and configuring a roster round two semi-redundant offensive gamers is daunting, however this might be the highest-ceiling for any potential Antetokounmpo vacation spot.
Bundle: Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray or CJ McCollum, Jordan Hawkins, and Yves Missi + three first-round picks (2026 through Milwaukee, 2027 swap with Milwaukee, 2029, 2031)
Evaluation: From a Bucks’ front-office standpoint, this can be a nice possibility as a result of New Orleans owns the rights to Milwaukee’s first-round choose in 2026, and has the fitting to swap with Milwaukee in 2027 due to the commerce that despatched Jrue Vacation to the Bucks. This may permit the Bucks to utterly bottom-out over the subsequent two seasons and usher in a rebuild.
The problem with that is convincing Antetokounmpo. It would not make a lot sense for him to play in New Orleans, with a core made up of Trey Murphy, and whomever they maintain onto between Williamson, Murray and McCollum. That is simply not contending with the giants of the Western Convention.
Bundle: Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard and three 1st spherical picks (2027 through Brooklyn, 2028, 2030). (The Bucks would additionally must ship Pat Connaughton to make the contracts work)
The Rockets are getting ready to elimination of their first journey to the playoffs with their younger core. It was anticipated that they’d have some hiccups as they bought their playoff scars, so making an enormous transfer could also be a bit brash. Whereas Houston would most likely desire to ship Jalen Green quite than Sengun, who has fared higher within the 2025 playoffs than his counterpart, that is not sufficient to internet Antetokounmpo. As well as, a roster with Sengun, Antetokounmpo and Amen Thompson doesn’t have sufficient spacing. Due to this fact, Sengun is the pure commerce piece.
He, and the haul of picks, would assist Milwaukee begin its rebuild, whereas Houston would have the expertise — with a core of Antetokounmpo, Inexperienced, Thompson, Jabari Smith and Fred VanVleet — to compete with Oklahoma Metropolis and Minnesota for the foreseeable future.
There are different attainable touchdown spots for Antetokounmpo, reminiscent of San Antonio, Atlanta, Oklahoma Metropolis, Minnesota, Toronto and extra. In reality, if Antetokounmpo is made out there or asks out of Milwaukee, all the opposite 29 groups would clamor to place collectively a package deal. These 5 take advantage of sense for Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo, and the recipient crew.
No matter the place he goes, or if he leaves Milwaukee, an offseason of rumors and drama surrounding Antetokounmpo is quickly to start.
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