After weeks of speculation, the San Antonio Spurs officially signed star point guard De'Aaron Fox to a four-year, $229 million max extension. That deal was likely agreed to before he was traded mid-season from the Sacramento Kings to the Spurs.
With Fox now under contract for five seasons, including the last year of his current contract, he could be superstar Victor Wembanyama's co-star going forward.
However, with the Spurs drafting Dylan Harper second overall and many seeing him as a much younger version of Fox, it's fair to wonder if San Antonio could eventually trade Fox. In that case, they could move forward with a core of Stephon Castle, Harper, and Wembanyama.
One potential option could be a star swap involving Fox and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Shams Charania just reported that Giannis has yet to make up his mind regarding his future with the Bucks. That leaves open the possibility he could be traded.
Could a De'Aaron Fox and Giannis Antetokounmpo trade happen?
If Giannis demands a trade, and the Spurs are on his list of potential destinations, then that would dramatically increase the odds of a Bucks and Spurs swap. The Bucks would almost certainly want at least one of Castle or Harper, plus picks.
Then again, the Spurs could offer Fox and three firsts. That would be a unique trade package considering that the Bucks likely wouldn't receive a star for Giannis from another team.
Milwaukee may prefer to do a full rebuild if Giannis were to demand a trade, but they don't own three of their future first-round picks, making a rebuild harder. In that case, trading for a 27-year-old star guard on a long-term deal might make sense.
How likely is a Spurs and Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo trade?
Even if it doesn't, a potential 3-team trade could work, with Fox going to a third team with the assets being rerouted to the Bucks. In that scenario, the Bucks would be getting assets from a third team, presumably including picks, as well as picks from the Spurs.
The third team would get Fox, and the Spurs would add Giannis, giving them a projected starting lineup of Harper, Castle, Devin Vassell, Giannis, and Wembanyama.
A lot would have to happen between now and the trade deadline for that to happen. Giannis would have to demand a trade, the Spurs would have to be convinced that Fox can't play next to Harper and Castle, and the Bucks would have to agree to a trade. Even so, it's technically possible.