San Antonio Spurs Need to Pay Attention to One Playoff Series for $228 Million Reason

The San Antonio Spurs, clearly, did not make the 2025 NBA playoffs, although they should be absolutly locked on to one of the best series in the postseason.

In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers are trying to make a name for themselves as legitimate Finals contenders, and the Milwaukee Bucks are trying to prove to the league that last year’s first-round exit was merely a fluke.

After the Pacers took a 2-0 lead on Tuesday, it would appear that they will win the series, as 92 percent of teams to win the first two games have advanced.

With the Pacers taking the first two games of the series, the Rick Carlisle-led squad is doing a better job of pushing their agenda. If the Bucks fall in the first round to the Pacers for the second season in a row, it’s easy to imagine Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the three best players in the NBA, requesting a trade.

“What’s Giannis supposed to do this summer?” asked ESPN‘s Tim MacMahon. “He’s seen this thing through, and he has a decision to make. Does he want to be a one-franchise guy, or does he want to contend for championships while he’s still in his prime? You know, and whatever, whatever he chooses, it’s his choice. There’s not a wrong answer.”

If he does demand a trade, he certainly won’t come cheap, although the Spurs have the assets to match any offer the Bucks might receive.

A trio of Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and the Greek Freak would immediately make the Spurs title favorites, and all they would have to do is surround that core with shooting. How are you supposed to score on two of the best defenders in the league?

In theory, the Spurs could offer Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, a first-round pick in 2025 (via ATL), 2027 (via ATL), 2029, and a swap with the Sacramento Kings in 2031.

Of course, working out the spacing on offense would prove to be a task, but to add a top-three player in the world to the roster, the Spurs would be able to make it work.

Antetokounmpo has a player option in 2027-28, and if the Bucks fall to the Pacers, he might demand a change in scenary.

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San Antonio Spurs Need to Pay Attention to One Playoff Series for $228 Million Reason

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