The Milwaukee Bucks don’t want to replace Giannis Anteto compo, so there’s an important way to keep him in town.
All eyes are at the Milwaukee Bucks this NBA offseason. After the third first round exit and Damian Lillard’s injury to Achilles, Giannis Anteto Compo is the biggest name to see. He has yet to show that he wants to trade, but all teams expect demand sooner than later.
The San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Net and the Oklahoma City Thunder are all linked to Greek freaks, but the Bucks are expected to protect him until he demands trade.
With general manager John Holst not eager to say goodbye to the best player in franchise history, Milwaukee has a clear strategy to guide Giannis to stay.
After players like Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Mikal Bridges have been traded with five first-round picks in recent years, Antetokounmpo can go further.
With two seasons and player options remaining on his contract, the team has plenty of time to build around him after the deal, but important questions must be asked.
What will you leave after trading Antetokounmpo?
Not many teams trade the seven first round picks perfectly. If the Rockets give up Jalen Green, Reed Sheppard, and huge draft capital (and even more pay matching), will Rocket be their advertised destination?
“John (Holst) is not going to try to have a good relationship with Giannis. He’s trying to do it right with the Bucks,” Sam Amick said. Ringer NBA Podcast. “That’s where Giannis might not actually get that good if all the scenarios in play leave the other teams, so it’s a place where he looks in the room and says, ‘It’s fine, I have to leave it there.’ ”
The net does not have the pieces to build around Giannis. Both the Warriors and the Thunder have to give up the entire cast that they virtually support to land the MVP finalists.
The only team with the opportunity to add him and maintain depth is the Spurs, but they are in a unique position.
The Spurs don’t enjoy deals including Victor Wenbanyama, so both him and Dearon Fox are out of hand. Even if Horst escapes Stefon Castle, Devin Vassel, Keldon Johnson, the second overall pick and the Spurs of the additional draft capital, Giannis will still be on the roster of Wenbagnama, Fox, Jeremy Sochang, Julian Champaney and Harrison Burns.
When Dallas Maverick shocks the world and trades Giannis’ top picks, the Bucks have no choice but to accept the deal, but Antetocomo has a very limited window with aging Clay Thompson, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
If the Bucks are “right” and “right” by the superstar, the Spurs are the only option in trade, with San Antonio playing things close to their chest.
If they refuse to trade their second pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Bucks are forced to stay in Milwaukee by Giannis, without the willingness to play the ball.