Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: How the Raptors could pull off this giant deal

USA Today

5 days ago

Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: How the Raptors could pull off this giant deal
Last month, NBA fans learned that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was reportedly "open-minded" about a trade.
It makes sense that Antetokounmpo would potentially have this on his mind considering that Milwaukee's season ended in such embarrassing fashion. Their future does not look particularly bright, either, considering that their star point guard Damian Lillard recently suffered a torn Achilles.
Several teams have emerged as potential suitors for his services with the Rockets and the Spurs emerging as early favorites. Even the Mavericks caused some whispers after they shockingly won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, though now it seems more likely they will simply draft Cooper Flagg.
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Many of the other usual suspects are often mentioned when folks speculate about where Antetokounmpo is eventually traded.
But in the past few days, a new team is gaining some momentum as a surprising suitor as well: The Toronto Raptors.
According to Toronto Star reporter Doug Smith, there is "mutual interest" between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst also separately reported that the Raptors are "looking for a big fish" in the trade market.
The Raptors reportedly tried to draft Antetokounmpo when he was a prospect back in 2013 and the superstar has deep ties to Toronto executive Masai Ujiri.
Meanwhile, per Raphael Barlowe, the father of a player projected to hear his name in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery said that the Bucks have done "background work" to research his son. Milwaukee does not have a pick until No. 47, but the Raptors are on the clock at No. 9 overall.
Perhaps the framework of the deal would involve the pick as well as several other assets on Toronto's roster.
Toronto would also have to include one of their players on bigger contracts (e.g. Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, or Immanuel Quickley) for salary-matching and some of their younger assets to entice Milwaukee, but all of this is entirely possible if the interest is as strong as it is beginning to seem.