As the NBA playoffs continue, many are focusing instead on the Milwaukee Bucks. Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to demand a trade, and wherever he ends up, they are likely to be contenders next season.
However, we have already seen recent reports that call into question where he will end up next season. According to the NBA reporter Howard Beck, Giannis prefers to play in a larger market, putting teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs off his list.
Moreover, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, the Spurs aren't actively seeking to make a big trade this summer. That seemingly crosses both them and the other two teams from a list of potential landing spots. However, two surprising teams have emerged.
The Brooklyn Nets or Toronto Raptors may trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors appear to be picking up steam in the race to land Giannis. Both would be surprising landing spots for Giannis, considering that Brooklyn wouldn't have a star for him to play with, while the Raptors aren't a big market. Even so, they do have enough assets to make a deal worth Milwaukee's while.
The Nets appear to be a more realistic landing spot between the two, given that they have more assets as far as picks, with them having four first-round picks in this year's draft. That includes the sixth and 21st picks, and they have plenty more that they can offer the Bucks.
Even so, the Nets with Giannis are probably still worse than the Bucks next season, were he to come back and Damian Lillard were to miss the first few months of the season. Then again, they could potentially lure another star to Brooklyn if they were to land Giannis.
Trae Young, who is entering the final year of his contract, could be traded during next season if they can't agree to an extension. If Giannis goes to the Nets, then they could potentially trade for Young too.
The Raptors do have Masai Ujiri, who is close with Giannis, and they do have an all-star in Scottie Barnes, but they have fewer picks available to trade. As a result, their offer would be dependent on the Bucks wanting their players, with RJ Barrett, the ninth pick in this year's draft, and Gradey Dick being their biggest available trade assets.
The Miami Heat could be a dark horse for Giannis Antetokounmpo
If Giannis is indeed set on staying in the East, which doesn't make much sense other than proximity to his home, then the Miami Heat should be on his list. They have two stars in Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, boast no state income taxes, and are perhaps the best NBA city in terms of weather and nightlife.
They could offer Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier's big expiring contract, a promising young starting center in Kell'el Ware, a 2028 and 2030 first-round pick, and a 2032 pick swap. That is probably less than what the Bucks would be willing to take back, but Giannis could force his way there or to another team by stating that he wouldn't re-sign anywhere else.
Ultimately, the Bucks may not have nearly as many suitors for Giannis if these rumors are true, with the three teams with the most assets possibly being out of the running. That could mean a smaller return for Giannis than many Bucks fans are hoping for.