5) Brooklyn Nets acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo in big mock trade
The Brooklyn Nets have an embarrassment of riches in this year's NBA Draft with four picks. That will almost certainly result in a trade around the draft. If Giannis decides he wants to play elsewhere by then, the Nets would be uniquely equipped to help the Bucks in a potential blockbuster trade.
While they don't have much in the way of actual talent, they could trade Cam Johnson, Cam Thomas, and four first-round picks for Giannis. Those selections also include the sixth overall pick in this year's draft.
He is reportedly interested in playing in a bigger market, and while the Brooklyn Nets aren't the New York Knicks, they are indeed a bigger market than Milwaukee. They are also sort of a blank slate, with them potentially being able to quickly build around him, perhaps even targeting Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young if they were to acquire Giannis from the Bucks.
Given the Nets' lack of star power to pair him with, they would seem to be a fringe team in the Giannis sweepstakes. Then again, Johnson could be worth at least a first-round pick in a re-trade scenario, and Thomas is one of the best young scorers in the NBA.
That could allow the Bucks to flip Johnson for another pick, giving them five firsts and a potential building block in return for the best player. Other teams can offer more, but that would be a fairly strong offer, all things considered.
4) Lakers form super team in mock Giannis Antetokounmpo trade
Much to the chagrin of NBA fans, the Los Angeles Lakers could be in play to land Giannis this summer. The Lakers already have the framework of a super team with LeBron James and Luka Dončić, and they may have just enough to net them a third superstar.
A potential package for Giannis could include Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2031 first and a 2032 pick swap. That might not be nearly as much as what some teams can offer the Bucks.
Nevertheless, if Giannis indeed only wants to play for a large-market team, then the Bucks may not have the opportunity to trade him to the highest bidder. Reaves played like a star after the Lakers acquired Dončić, and that has certainly raised his trade value.
That could easily put his value at two firsts. Him, in addition to 2024 first-round pick Knecht and a first and a swap, and it's a surprisingly competitive offer for one of the league's best players.
It might not be the Bucks' first option, but Giannis could strong-arm them to get him to L.A. if he is motivated enough. A trio of Doncic, James, and Antetokounmpo could be a historically dominant super team. If it were to happen, then the Lakers could be the favorites to win it all next season.