If Giannis Antetokounmpo requests a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, one NBA analyst proposed that a major Western Conference contender trade for the two-time MVP.
Not only did the Bucks lose in the first round of this year’s playoffs to the Indiana Pacers again, but Damian Lillard also tore his left Achilles tendon in Game 4. The All-Star point guard is expected to miss a chunk of next season.
Antetokounmpo guided Milwaukee to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns. Since then, the Bucks have won just one postseason series, which is why many believe Antetokounmpo should request a trade this summer.
If Antetokounmpo shocks the NBA world and requests a trade, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Houston Rockets trade Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore and three first-round picks to the Bucks for the superstar forward.
“He could serve as their go-to scorer, but he wouldn’t have to monopolize their touches,” Buckley wrote. “That’s big, because Houston would almost certainly want to do an Antetokounmpo deal without giving up Alperen Sengun. Milwaukee could sign off on such a swap, too, since the Rockets could still send back multiple first-round picks and other young, talented players instead (Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore all feel like logical choices).
“With a single swap of this magnitude, the Rockets could launch themselves from being feisty up-and-comers to full-fledged contenders.”
The Rockets are the second seed in the West. They are currently down 3-2 to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.
Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists for the Bucks this season. He has spent his entire career in Milwaukee.
No one knows what Antetokounmpo will do this offseason. He has said many times he wants to retire with the Bucks, but the future Hall of Famer may not be able to win another championship if he stays in Milwaukee, especially since Lillard turns 35 in July and has to recover from a serious injury.
A nine-time All-Star, Antetokounmpo will make $54.1 million next season. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
