With Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors swirling after the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, one NBA analyst proposed a blockbuster trade between the Bucks and a Western Conference contender.
The Bucks won the championship in 2021. However, they have won only one postseason series since then.
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Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder had the best record in the NBA this season. They have a MVP finalist in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the All-Star point guard who led the league in total points and points per game this season.
No one knows if Antetokounmpo will ask out of Milwaukee this summer, but if he does, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Thunder trade Isaiah Hartenstein, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic, and four first-round picks for the superstar forward.
“Gilgeous-Alexander might need a higher end co-star to get over the championship hump, and Antetokounmpo could fill that role with ease,” Buckley wrote. “And, depending on how many picks Milwaukee wants, Oklahoma City might be able to do the deal without giving up Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren.
“Drop a handful of future firsts on the table, and maybe some combination of Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Nikola Topic gets a handshake agreement done.”
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis AntetokounmpoMichael McLoone-Imagn Images
Antetokounmpo and Gilgeous-Alexander would arguably be the best duo in the NBA. The former averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists this season, while the latter averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists.
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Antetokounmpo declined to speak about his Bucks future after the Pacers won Game 5. The two-time MVP is expected to meet with Milwaukee’s brass to discuss his future.
“I’m not going to do this,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m not going to do that. I know how it’s going to translate. I don’t know, man. I wish I was still playing. I wish I was still competing and going back and working out.”