It turns out like Giannis Antetokounmpo industry eventualities will stay the debate of the NBA, even with the Finals in complete swing.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the momentum for Antetokounmpo to request a industry clear of the Milwaukee Bucks is readily dropping steam.
“The common belief among league insiders is that he will remain with the only franchise he’s ever played for,” Fischer reported.
The idea has been that except Antetokounmpo orchestrates a industry out of Milwaukee, the Bucks could be susceptible to stay their 30-year-old world famous person. But within the match the Greek Freak adjustments his thoughts and desires out?
These 5 groups in fact make sense. And no, the New York Knicks didn’t make this checklist. It’s exhausting to peer an NBA group willingly handing its franchise icon to a contending rival inside the similar convention—particularly person who lacks draft capital.
1. Dallas Mavericks
This is the obvious choice. The Mavericks one way or the other rebounded from their disastrous Luka Dončić industry when they lucked into the No. 1 total pick out within the 2025 NBA Draft.
This 12 months’s draft elegance is headlined by way of Duke superstar Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks may just surprise the NBA global once more and ship Flagg to the Bucks in a deal for Antetokounmpo, serving to Milwaukee expedite its rebuild with a generational ability.
Mavericks basic supervisor Nico Harrison has again and again mentioned the Dončić industry used to be about profitable now. With Kyrie Irving coming off a knee damage and Anthony Davis endlessly injured, buying and selling for Antetokounmpo would give the Mavericks a valid giant 3 to check out to capitalize on their present competition window within the West.
2. San Antonio Spurs
This is the second one most evident. The Spurs personal the No. 2 total pick out. The factor? They don’t precisely want combo guard Dylan Harper, who has been the consensus No. 2 prospect in the back of Flagg within the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Spurs have already got their very own younger backcourt with De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell. No. 1 total pick out Victor Wembanyama has been as excellent as marketed throughout his first two seasons within the NBA.
In the post-Gregg Popovich generation, it may well be time for the Spurs to make an “all-in” transfer and land a confirmed NBA champion to pair with Wemby for years yet to come.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Let’s get completely bananas.
The Thunder entered the 2025 NBA Finals as large having a bet favorites in opposition to the Indiana Pacers, who stole Game 1. If Oklahoma City loses this collection, it could be a large letdown. The Thunder have been constantly the most efficient group all through the common season and ruled the NBA playoffs.
But very similar to the remaining time the Thunder cracked the NBA Finals, that is nonetheless a tender group headlined by way of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and kids Jaylin Williams and Chet Holmgren.
Despite being the most efficient group within the NBA, the Thunder have a loaded cellar stuffed with draft choices. If they get bounced within the Finals, perhaps they take a protracted glance within the reflect and come to a decision it’s time to drag the most important cause this offseason has to provide.
But say they win their first championship? They have the bullets to construct a dynasty by way of overwhelming Milwaukee with draft choices to carry Antetokounmpo to Oklahoma City.
4. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have been probably the most NBA’s greatest surprises remaining season, completing six video games above .500 because the No. 6 seed within the Eastern Conference.
They took the Knicks to 6 video games within the first spherical of the playoffs, as new head trainer J.B. Bickerstaff’s group fought and clawed the similar manner they did all season.
But if anything else in regards to the NBA, it’s that younger, overachieving groups have a tendency to revel in slightly herbal regression the next 12 months. That could be disappointing for Pistons fanatics, who emerged from a rebuild however are nonetheless in quest of playoff good fortune.
Enter Antetokounmpo—an NBA champion who may just lend a hand the Pistons boost up their timeline and change into a significant contender within the East.
5. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have the very best mix of belongings to drag off an Antetokounmpo industry: younger avid gamers, draft choices and a roster able to contend.
Head trainer Ime Udoka is aware of methods to arrange giant stars, however the Rockets nonetheless don’t have one—in spite of spending a lot of the season because the No. 2 seed within the West. Adding Antetokounmpo to their younger core would cement Houston as critical avid gamers and provides them a shot at dethroning Oklahoma City.