Discussing Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s potential trade value during the latest episode of The Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link), ESPN’s Brian Windhorst expressed some skepticism that the Bucks would be able to extract a massive package of future draft picks for their star forward if he asks out of Milwaukee.
“What I’m telling you is when I talk to executives – and these executives are not in trade talks with the Bucks or another team for a star player right now – the mood in the NBA right now is not to give up four first-round picks for anybody,” Windhorst said (hat tip to RealGM). “… People don’t want to do that because the aprons have spooked so many teams.
“All these teams are worried about getting into apron trouble where they can’t reset their rosters, and you get into a situation like the Celtics were in where you’ve got to rip your team down. … This is how teams are thinking right now. They’re a little freaked out about the aprons. There ain’t going to be no five first-round pick trades. I know that we saw those for a while. That’s just not going to happen.”
Windhorst went on to offer a few caveats, clarifying that he’s specifically referring to stars in their 30s who are earning the largest possible maximum-salary contracts, worth 35% of the cap. He also acknowledged that it would only take one team going all-in to prove his sources wrong.
“I can hear somebody out there listening to this podcast saying, ‘What are you talking about? This is Giannis. Giannis will go for two star players and six firsts,'” Windhorst said. “Maybe that will happen. I am just telling you, I talk to the guys who make these trades every day, all day long. And the appetite is just different. Everybody is feeling a certain way. I could end up being wrong, I’m just reporting back.”
While many executives around the NBA may be apprehensive about surrendering a handful of unprotected first-round picks in any deal, I expect a number of them would still be willing to do so for a two-time MVP like Antetokounmpo, who isn’t that old (he’ll celebrate his 31st birthday on Saturday) and doesn’t have the sort of extensive injury history that someone like Anthony Davis does.
For what it’s worth, the most recent trade involving four first-rounders – including three unprotected picks – happened less than six months ago, when the Magic acquired Desmond Bane, a player who has never made an All-Star team.
Here are a few more trade-related notes from around the NBA:
- The emergence of Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard has made a trade to upgrade the backcourt a less pressing need, but if the Rockets have any reservations about Fred VanVleet‘s ability to return from an ACL tear and make an impact next season, they still may end up pursuing a deal by February 5, writes Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link). Gozlan acknowledges that there’s no perfect match for the Rockets, since an ideal trade target like Derrick White would be difficult to acquire and lesser options like Collin Sexton or Dennis Schröder might not make enough of a difference to make a deal worthwhile.
- With the Bulls sliding down the standings after a hot start to open the season, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times argues that the front office ought to do right by Nikola Vucevic and trade the veteran center to a team closer to contention, giving him a chance to play in the postseason before he becomes an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
- Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) spoke to veteran forward Khris Middleton about what it’s like to be traded as an NBA player. Middleton, who was dealt from the Bucks to the Wizards at last season’s deadline after spending over a decade in Milwaukee, admitted that it was a blow to his ego. “It was just a time to decompress, get my feelings out, reminisce, go through a whole bunch of thought processes and figure out what my life’s gonna be like now,” Middleton told Fischer. “When you get traded, it’s a huge confidence killer, especially if you’re not in control of it. You have to kinda talk yourself back up.”
The Bucks will get a less back than what you’d expect nor because of the reason Windhorst gave, as the article noted Desmond Bayne went for a huge haul.
The reason is that Gianni’s has one season left on his contract after this and any team that acquires him has to know that he will resign for them. So, if Giannis says he will only sign with these two or three teams (if he goes beyond the Knicks), those teams will have limited picks to give up.
Magic made the right choice. Getting over mediocrity is time-sensitive and required overspending on proven talent. It’s no secret that Orlando has been a hot mess—now they’re worth considering, and adding another chip makes them dangerous.
No one is topping the Warriors possible offers, to which there are many, including 6 FRP or pick swaps. It is feasible for the deal to be Giannis for Jimmy + 4 firsts. It could be Kuminga, Dray and Buddy and 3 firsts. Could be so many other options. Podz is from Wisconsin.
GSW would still need to make trades before extending Giannis, but the trade itself still can happen. Great turning point to reassess the immediate future. Giannis will be superelite til he’s 35 at the earliest, another 5 years for sure, maybe a couple more after that. Curry has the same trajectory. Great match, GSW should start playing Hamptons 5 ball again if they surround them with smart players like Post and Richard, along with the random old vets who are still good who got their money and just want to ring chase.
And why would MIL want 36 year old Butler?! And pick swaps are worthless since the Dubs picks will be worse than the Bucks! Oh my.
The only teams that could cobble packages together that wouldn’t decimate their teams *and* have picks are OKC, SA, and HOU, but they just added KD. No one can offer a better package than OKC.. think Jalen Williams, IHart and a 3rd player like Joe or Wiggins plus 4 or 5 1sts. Thing is the Thunder are already so good.. do they even need to make a deal like that?
OKC isn’t interested in that. Jimmy Butler is still superelite and is actually a better fit with that Turner+Kuzma led-roster. Bucks can also route him elsewhere for more picks, Jimmy has a lot of trade value still.
Sure he does with that enormous contract and having burned bridges everywhere he’s been. But whatever you need to tell yourself…
his numbers dont lie, dude
This is the same Davey J that was shytting on Butler after the playoffs and he is calling him superelite and has a lot of trade value now. All for the narrative that the Bucks does even consider the Warriors a “legitimate trade partner”. The same Davey J that said a 1on1 trade for Fox and Moody is valid under the CBA and that Durant will not be wearing a Texas teams jersey for 25-26. Oh how “credible” you really are.
Thats all you need to know how “credible” he is. Nuff said.
Yawn. You are a mark, I’m the one literally making this place money by getting so many of you self-owning by letting me live rent-free and actually caring what a faceless person online says, to come here and get this site more clicks. I’m THAT valuable. That is also credibility. You ain’t close to me in terms of credible posting.
Gee, it takes a lot to pretend that the nba revolves around the Warriors and when you get the obvious pushback, you claim that it’s all for clicks! What a clever shtick!
Who does the NBA revolve around, if not their biggest draw, the highest ratings-getting player?
If the Bucks are dealing Giannis, it’s them waiving the white flag. No interest in Jimmy, and Kuminga doesn’t hold a tonne of value. Everybody will offer pick swaps when they know they’ll be the better team when the swaps are ready to convey.
There are multiple teams that can offer quality young talent and 1sts. Spurs, Pistons are two that come to mind.
I mean, you are arguing against professional sports writers at this point, so, take it up with them. They speak for me.
Wow, I didn’t know that we weren’t allowed to voice an opinion that doesn’t line up with a sports writer.
Did you hurt your hamstring making that stretch?
Trades are always the answer; trading players changes team dynamics and helps sell advertisements.
Is Silver playing game of thrones?
They put the stricter salary restrictions in place to increase profits and help small markets compete. The NBA is such a players league that they constantly have to trade disgruntled guys though and the tax aprons are now going to sink those small market teams chances at returning value (according to NBA execs/scouts).
Adam Silver is either a diabolical genius or bumbling fool.
Here is the team Giannis won the title with:
K Middleton age 29
J Holiday age 30
PJ Tucker age 35
B Lopez age 32
B Portis age 25
P Connaughton age 28
J Teague age 32
Do you guys think the 2025-26 Warriors are -not- close to being able to support Giannis with veterans, like what happened here? They absolutely can. Like, even after the trade :
K Middleton = Jimmy Butler
J Holiday = Moses Moody
PJ Tucker = Al Hoford
B Lopez = Q Post
P Connaughton = GP2/Richard
J Teague = Seth Curry/Podz
Very similar styles/types of players, no?
These last 2 arent a clean match, but they both will play the same mins/roles, shows off how GSW favors small ball:
Giannis = Steph
B Portis = D Melton
Kinda close overall, no?
Did you really just say that Moody equals Jrue?!
In what universe is that correct?
God, calm down! I literally wrote “Very similar styles/types of players, no?” after it. I do not think they are equals. They can both be guards who are 3 and D. Jrue is obviously well above Moody right now, but Moody’s ceiling (which might take a few years, like Jrue’s did) is a similar outcome to Jrue’s. Reading comprehension, please.
Obviously they aren’t currently equal, Holiday is many levels above Moody as of right now, but Moody’s ceiling is very similar, they play similar types of roles, 3 + D etc. Moody can get there with time.
Spurs make the most sense and can offer the best package. Giannis and Wemby would be insane. Might be the only way to derail OKC any time soon.
Tired of hearing the San Antonio. Wemby does not want to play with giannis. It’s not happening. BOS or New York. But Milwaukee is not going to get a hall for giannis. That’s not how these super star trade works. Honestly, I don’t see him getting traded to the summertime just doesn’t make sense for any team to make that trade in the middle of the season. Except Bos and the would look like Tatum for giannis maybe one pic or something like that. Giving Boston, giannis and brown. Probably the smartest move for them because Milwaukee or Boston probably are not winning another championship constructed how they are.