Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Raptors? Breaking down likelihood of blockbuster deal for Bucks star
The Giannis Antetokounmpo-to-Toronto trade rumours are in their 12th year and might not die down until the phenom either plays for the Raptors or retires.
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Back in 2013, Masai Ujiri, then freshly installed as the boss of the Raptors, had more interest in the rail-thin, ultra-raw, but ultra-intriguing teenager than nearly any other team executive, but couldn't close a deal to get into the draft to select him in the late lottery.
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Antetokounmpo kept growing, kept getting better and ultimately led the Milwaukee Bucks to a title while wining a pair of NBA MVP awards and nearly every other award you could think of.
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Toronto has tried to keep its powder dry on at least a couple of occasions salary cap-wise when Antetokounmpo was approaching free agency, only to see the Bucks twice sign him to new deals.
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But now Milwaukee is in bad shape, competitively speaking. Antetokounmpo's running mate, fellow NBA 75th Anniversary Team member Damian Lillard, will soon turn 35 and just tore his Achilles. The team doesn't have a good enough roster to make any noise, lacking prospects and draft picks, so the speculation is the extremely competitive Antetokounmpo and the franchise will be heading for a split at some point as he chases another championship.
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Well-respected ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst caused a stir this weekend when he said on his Hoop Collective Podcast that Toronto is looking to make a major move this off-season and is trying to land a 'big fish.'
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On a recent episode of The Hoop Collective, ESPN's @WindhorstESPN said he's heard the Raptors are expected to be in the mix for major names this offseason.
(via @espn) pic.twitter.com/BfOUG5EPj2
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 1, 2025
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