After almost six months of rumors and speculation, it seems like Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are finally headed for a split.
ESPN insider Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that Antetokounmpo and his representation have begun conversations with the Bucks regarding his future, with a trade expected in the coming weeks.
Of all teams across the league, the San Antonio Spurs are in a unique position to offer Milwaukee a package of first-round draft capital and young talent, creating a tantalizing offer that the Bucks would be hard-pressed to turn down.
Spurs trade idea ships out package featuring Stephon Castle for Giannis Antetokounmpo
In a trade proposal put together by ESPN, the Spurs would create a package to blow the Bucks out of the water for Antetokounmpo.
San Antonio Spurs receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Stephon Castle, Harrison Barnes, Kelly Olynyk, Jordan McLaughlin, 2027 first-round pick (via Hawks), 2029 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick
While the package is certainly expensive for San Antonio, the prospect of creating a dynamic duo of Victor Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo is too difficult to pass up.
"Still, the potential to team up two MVP candidates in the frontcourt might be too great for the Spurs to resist. Since drafting Wembanyama, they've already traded future assets for one veteran All-Star, De'Aaron Fox, and Antetokounmpo is a much more valuable player than the former Kings point guard," wrote Zach Kram.
"If Wembanyama is healthy, a team with Fox, Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama -- let alone rookie guard Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell and standout reserves Luke Kornet and Keldon Johnson -- could compete for the title this season. After all, the Spurs are 15-6 with Fox, Castle, Harper and Wembanyama all missing time. And the Giannis-Wemby pairing could dominate for the next several seasons."
Stephon Castle is the reigning Rookie of the Year, but with Dylan Harper waiting in the wings, he has become expendable.
As for the draft picks, San Antonio likely would be picking in the late-20s with all of their talent, rendering those selections less valuable.
If the Spurs want to make a real run in the Western Conference and contend with the Oklahoma City Thunder, this is the trade they have to make.
More Spurs news:
- Luke Kornet continues career-best season with game-winning block in Spurs victory
- Giannis Antetokounmpo trade destinations: Knicks, Heat, Thunder among possible matches for Bucks star
- Harrison Barnes’ Spurs career-best 31 points lead injury-riddled San Antonio past Grizzlies
- Victor Wembanyama's injury return timeline revealed by Spurs reporter