Blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade idea involves Warriors, Lakers, Mavericks

Robert Irby

Blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade idea involves Warriors, Lakers, Mavericks image

The talks around where Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will play basketball in 2025-26 have dominated NBA discourse, and this four-team trade proposal may be the most intriguing one yet.

Here is the blockbuster proposal ESPN's Zach Kram put together involving the Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Golden State Warriors get:

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Los Angeles Lakers get:

Draymond Green
Daniel Gafford

Dallas Mavericks get:

Gabe Vincent
2031 first-round pick (via L.A. Lakers)
2025 second-round pick (No. 41)

Milwaukee Bucks get:

Austin Reaves
Brandin Podziemski
Jonathan Kuminga (via sign-and-trade)
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Maxi Kleber
2029 first-round pick (via Warriors)
2031 first-round pick (via Golden State)
2030 first-round swap (with L.A. Lakers)

Here is what Kram had to say about the proposal:

"The Warriors would sacrifice depth to construct a star-studded big three of Curry, Antetokounmpo and [Jimmy] Butler. The Lakers would balance their roster by turning Reaves into Green -- who has been involved in Lakers rumors in the past -- and Gafford, improving their defense and adding a rim-running center who's a proven fit with Luka Doncic. The Mavericks would trade from a position of strength (center) to add a future first and point guard help during Kyrie Irving's absence. And the Bucks would grab an assortment of promising young players and future picks in return for their star."

This would certainly flip the league on its head and likely add two new top contenders in the Warriors and Lakers. 

Should the Bucks and Antetokounmpo decide to part ways, this would be a lucrative haul for Milwaukee.

Robert Irby

Robert Irby is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A 2019 graduate of Virginia Tech, Robert has worked in sports media for several years, with experience at Sports Business Journal, Sons of Saturday, and other notable outlets.