An NBA trade idea sending Harrison Barnes, Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan from the San Antonio Spurs to the Milwaukee Bucks has been created.
NBA writer Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Spurs and Bucks:
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Harrison Barnes, Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, 2027 first-round pick (via ATL), 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick (most favorable of SAC or SAS)
Hughes created this trade idea after NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN reported on August 4 that Antetokounmpo is still evaluating his future with the Bucks, who have won just one playoff series since winning the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games.
“As we sit here on August 4, sources tell me there is nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to stay in Milwaukee or whether he wants to leave elsewhere,” Charania said. “He’s been evaluating his future this entire offseason. I reported way back in mid-May that he’s open-minded about whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or is it a trade elsewhere.”
The Spurs would heavily pursue Antetokounmpo if the superstar requested a trade from the Bucks, NBA sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. This trade idea gives Milwaukee draft capital and three talented young players in Castle, Johnson and Sochan. Barnes is included for salary-matching purposes.
“Castle and Sochan are nothing to sneeze at. Paired with the salary relief of Barnes’ expiring $19 million contract (very flippable at the deadline), Johnson’s similarly movable deal and three first-round assets, this should be enough to at least get a conversation started,” Hugues wrote.
“Castle could thrive as a lead guard with Turner spacing the floor, and Milwaukee would also benefit from cleaner books—especially after the Damian Lillard stretch assured it $22 million in dead money over each of the next five seasons.”
The Bucks don’t believe Antetokounmpo will request a trade, but if the future Hall of Famer asks out, this trade idea Hughes came up with is a strong return for Milwaukee.