The San Antonio Spurs could be in the mix if the Milwaukee Bucks decide to trade away Giannis Anteto Compo after a disappointing playoff show.
The Milwaukee Bucks season is not over yet, but it’s hard to imagine them screaming to win the series as they started a 2-0 deficit against the Indiana Pacers.
It’s floating that franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo will demand a deal if the Bucks lose. He asks, it’s hard to blame him as he sticks to the Bucks through five head coaches and one supporting cast.
If the Bucks shop their star, only a handful of teams have the assets to add him, and the San Antonio Spurs can drive a hard bargain.
The Spurs appear to be building comfortably around Dearon Fox and Victor Wenbagnama. Spurs already have a generational big name, but both Wenbanyama and Anteto Compo offer versatility that you won’t find in the front or center.
“What about this deal: Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Burns and all the picks in the world are because the Spurs adopted Atlanta’s first (2027), Chicago’s first (2027), Boston First (2028), Dallas First (2030), Minnesota First (2030). “And you’ll bring Giannis and Wenby together, but you still have Daron Fox, and it still works under the cap.”
The Spurs made it clear when they added Fox that they didn’t want to break up with the castle, but the bid certainly goes up as Ant Corn Mipo is a much better player than Fox.
“Castle is the rookie of the year, you have all the first round picks, and you’ll start over in Milwaukee with real bounty,” Wright explained.
Wright says the Spurs can keep their picks up.
Wenbanyama, foxes and antitocompo are also not deep and deadly. Wenbanyama has improved to a 35% shooter game this season, but since it’s not elite in the NBA circles, the Spurs will have to surround the core with shooters.
In Wright’s proposed trade, the Spurs will lose the best shooting game, Harrison Burns, but will retain Devin Vassel (36.8%) and Julian Champaney (37.1%). On top of that, they may be able to pick up two lottery tickets in this year’s draft and hold one.
On defense, the Spurs are impossible to compete. In attack, the fit will be questionable, but the possibility is difficult to not drool.
Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo can clog the lanes and prevent drives, and both can be protected by boundary lines. Fox and Vassel were also solid defenders, with Jeremy Sochan coming out of the bench.
Antetokounmpo expanded his playmaking this season, averaging a career-high 6.5 assists per game. Wenbanyama is all over the court, and the horned shooters rise by that number.
There are only two standing in the Spurs way. The Oklahoma City Thunder has been stockpiling picks for years to gain stars, with their own desire to all-in for players with doubtful fit.
It could be solid that Antetocompo fits the Spurs, but adding him next to Shy Gilgas Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmglen would be even better.