4 seasons in the past, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns for the NBA title. Quick ahead to 2025, and Milwaukee is dealing with its third consecutive first-round playoff exit and faces a bleak future.
Star guard Damian Lillard, who will turn 35 on July 15, will probably miss the entire 2025-26 season while recuperating from Achilles tendon surgery. And, for the first time in his career, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is contemplating asking for a commerce.
In a narrative revealed Monday, ESPN’s Bobby Marks put collectively a tier rating of how well-positioned NBA groups are to make a deal for Antetokounmpo, who averaged 30.4 factors and 11.9 rebounds this season.
The groups on the high of the record are the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. The Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons observe, however when contemplating picks, gamers and potential worth to supply, the Spurs take advantage of sense as a touchdown spot for Antetokounmpo, who will flip 31 on Dec. 6.
“We cannot record Houston and San Antonio because the favorites simply but, contemplating Antetokounmpo has not requested to be traded and there’s no record of most well-liked locations. Nevertheless, within the case he does, Houston and San Antonio match all the necessities: draft property, younger gamers, sizable contracts and a win-now roster even after buying and selling for Antetokounmpo,” Marks wrote.
Within the 2025 NBA Draft, the Spurs maintain the No. 2 total choice, a decide that may very well be engaging for rebuilding Milwaukee. It in all probability would take a pick-heavy package deal to get a deal accomplished for Antetokounmpo, and the Spurs have a plethora of picks to deal in a possible commerce.
“The Spurs nonetheless have fairness in draft picks regardless of buying and selling 4 first-round picks to amass De’Aaron Fox on the deadline. They’ve two lottery picks in June and a further three future tradable firsts. San Antonio has the Hawks’ unprotected first in 2027 and two of its personal beginning in 2029,” wrote Marks.
Plus, San Antonio additionally has younger stars in guard Stephon Fort (14.7 PPG, 4.1 APG final season) and guard/ahead Devin Vassell (16.3 PPG, 36.8% 3PT final season) who may sway Milwaukee to make a deal.
Nothing is for certain and issues may change between now and the draft on June 25, however it seems that a questionable future for Milwaukee may drive Antetokounmpo into the arms of one other group. If that is the case, San Antonio looks as if the perfect wager.
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