It has been a topic of discussion for quite some time now that Giannis Antetokounmpo could look to be traded from the Milwaukee Bucks. As the Bucks sit with a 12-19 record and seem to not be a competitive team once again, it is clear that a trade could very well be on the way.
*Prediction*
The Bucks need to completely revamp their roster and trading Giannis Antetokounmpo is how they accomplish this. If the Bucks truly make Antetokounmpo available, the team that trades for him will need to be a contending team, and one that makes sense to trade for him is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder officially have a San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama problem on their hands. The Thunder sit with an impressive 26-5 record, but three of the Thunders’ five losses have come against the Spurs. It is clear that while the Thunder have a productive team, and have talented players like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, they lack the ability to slow down a team like San Antonio.
The biggest thing the losses to San Antonio have exposed when it comes to the thunder is that they lack the athleticism and ability to stop teams that play faster than them. Between this, and the Thunder’s defense that has been beaten at all three levels in these types of matchups. In addition, it is clear when the ball is not in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands, the offense stalls, which can’t be the case if they want to repeat as champions.
For the Thunder to overcome this, they need to consider going all-in, and one way they can do so is by trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. In Oklahoma’s scheme, Antetokounmpo would be Abel to thrive, and with in the midst of a season where he has averaged 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game this season. On the Thunder, the skies of Antetokounmpo would be heightened, and with his scoring ability he would pair well with Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder have 13 future first-round picks and 16 future second-round picks. They have the draft capital to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and with Antetokounmpo’s scoring ability and defensive presence to guard all five spots and provide the rim protection, he is the trade the Thunder need to make to further showcase their dominance.