Forecasting a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade in general is no longer bold. His exit feels like a matter of when, rather than if, given how public the poor and awkward communication between him and the Milwaukee Bucks became by season’s end. 

Short of an emotional and transactional miracle, the question shifts to where Giannis is getting traded. Perhaps my crystal ball is on the fritz, because it won’t spit out an exact destination. So let’s settle on one of the eight teams that make it to the second round of the playoffs (and potentially beyond). 

This prediction gets shakier the more you think about it. Which means it’s perfect.

Prospective suitors like the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors are already eliminated. R.I.P. to my “The Charlotte Hornets should trade for Giannis” take, as well. 

Those Paolo Banchero-for-Giannis conspiracies will peter out unless the Orlando Magic shock the Detroit Pistons. The Portland Trail Blazers would otherwise be an interesting dark horse thanks to the three Milwaukee picks they control but probably aren’t making it past Round 1.

If the first round follows the presumed script, we’ll be looking at would-be suitors like the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks or Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers or Toronto Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves or Denver Nuggets and Pistons. That’s…not bad?

Denver or Minnesota is out due to a lack of assets. The same goes for the Knicks unless Giannis goes full James Harden. Atlanta has assets, but Antetokounmpo plays its best player’s best position. The Cavs will be linked to Giannis if they bow out before the Eastern Conference Finals. Toronto, too.

Oklahoma City isn’t doing something that nuclear, but Houston and San Antonio are viable candidates. Detroit hitting the Giannis button if it pays Duren is weird; not impossible.