Giannis Antetokounmpo potential trade proposals surface, focusing on Damian Lillard's injured status
Revamped Article:
Giannis Antetokounmpo's era with the Milwaukee Bucks might be coming to an end, following the unfortunate injury of Damian Lillard.
Last night, Lillard, who recently returned from a blood clot, appeared to suffer a torn Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. If confirmed, this injury could sideline him for the entirety of the 2025-26 season and potentially impact the rest of his career.
The Bucks, who have been beset by injuries to key players every season since their 2021 NBA championship triumph, are now in danger of another early postseason exit - their third in a row. With their championship window looking increasingly bleak, rumors are swirling that Antetokounmpo might demand a trade.
NBA pundit Bill Simmons has speculated about five potential teams that could be in the running for Antetokounmpo. Among these, the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic are considered the most viable options.
"I think Houston is a consideration, because Houston can make a four-for-one deal, keeping a few guys, and still be really good," Simmons stated on his podcast. "Brooklyn has been the rumored one, but I don't know if Brooklyn can give them enough picks back to stay competitive. OKC has to be mentioned. There's a Knicks trade involving Towns, and either Anunoby or Bridges for Giannis - something like that - that I don't think is realistic. Then [producer Steve] Ceruti's Orlando Magic. I think those would be the five teams, right?"
With Lillard's injury, the Bucks find themselves down 3-1 in the series, facing a fifth game in Indiana tomorrow. If they fail to turn things around, the tremors could rock the entire organization, perhaps leading to Antetokounmpo's departure.
Yet, trading a superstar like Antetokounmpo is as much an art as it is a science. The Dallas Mavericks-Los Angeles Lakers trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis serves as a stark reminder. If Milwaukee does decide to pull the trigger on a trade for Antetokounmpo, the team would be embarking on a long, challenging rebuilding phase.
Antetokounmpo's recently signed three-year extension is projected to be worth roughly $175 million, starting next season. Lillard, who signed a two-year extension with the Portland Trail Blazers in July 2022, is due to start his extension next season as well, with a guaranteed $54 million in 2025-26 and $58.5 million in 2026-27 (if he picks up his second-year player option).
In the larger NBA landscape, teams such as the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, and San Antonio Spurs, armed with future draft picks and promising young players, are positioning themselves as top contenders for acquiring Antetokounmpo. Of these, the Rockets, Nets, Thunder, and Magic are seen as the frontrunners, given their surplus of assets.
Yet, any trade for Giannis would require a substantial package of young players, future draft picks, and potentially three-team trades to overcome financial and roster constraints. Teams interested in securing Antetokounmpo are keeping a close eye on his situation but are unlikely to make a move until he officially requests a trade.
In summary, the possibilty of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has intensified amid Damian Lillard's injury and the Bucks' precarious playoff position. Several young, asset-rich teams, including the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, and San Antonio Spurs are being discussed as attractive trade partners for Antetokounmpo.
- If Lillard's torn Achilles tendon is confirmed, it could mean he will miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season and potentially impact the rest of his career, adding to the Bucks' struggles in the playoffs.
- As the Bucks face the loss of Lillard and potential early postseason exit, speculation surrounds star player Giannis Antetokounmpo's demand for a trade, with NBA pundit Bill Simmons citing the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic as potential suitors.
- With the 2022 NBA playoffs ongoing, the injury of Damian Lillard highlights the fragility of sports, and the potential trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo further emphasizes the unpredictable nature of basketball careers.
- Antetokounmpo's recently signed three-year extension worth approximately $175 million and Lillard's two-year extension with the Portland Trail Blazers, starting next season, make any potential trade for Antetokounmpo a financially complex endeavor.
- In the midst of Damian Lillard's injury and the Bucks' precarious playoff position, there has been increased discussion about the possibilty of a trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, with young, asset-rich teams like the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, and San Antonio Spurs expressing interest.
