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We’re approaching that time of the year, the quiet off-season full of mock trades, drafts, and futile stories. I’d say we’re about three weeks away from Lakers fans concocting up an Austin Reaves, a couple of expiring contracts, and a first-round pick for Giannis trade ideas. Therefore, I wanted to get a head start on the Laker fans and come up with my own Giannis trade scenarios that I can actually sort of see happening, IF he asks out. For the record, I see no world in which Giannis is traded by Milwaukee unless he specifically asks for it.

A few things to note: Giannis will get to control his own destiny, meaning the Bucks will work with him to trade him to a destination he desires. This means the team that trades for Giannis will need to have an arsenal of options to surround him with once he arrives. A team will need to be deep enough to trade talent for him yet still have talent there when he arrives (Nets trading for Harden in ’21) or will need to have the cap space to potentially sign a second star this summer or the following summer (Clippers obtaining Kawhi and PG in ‘19). The other thing of note is that Milwaukee does not currently own any of their first-round draft picks until 2031, meaning that if they trade Giannis, they will need to stay relatively competitive for the next five seasons. So whoever trades for Giannis will have to send talented players back who can help Milwaukee remain a playoff team, or players talented enough that Milwaukee can trade to one of New Orleans, Portland, or Brooklyn for their own picks back. The final thing to note is Giannis’ contract — 2 year/$112M, plus a $62M player option for a third year. The potential trade should satisfy all three parties involved — Giannis, Milwaukee, and the team trading for the Greek superstar.

Trade 1: The Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to the San Antonio Spurs.

SA receives — Giannis Antetokounmpo. -$54.1M

MIL receives — Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Stephon Castle, 2025 first-round pick (#2 overall), 2026 first-round pick (right to swap with ATL), 2027 first-round pick (ATL), 2028 second-round pick (NO), 2029 second-round pick (NO). -$54.0M

I love this trade for all parties. Giannis and Wemby on the same team! Plus the Bucks get three solid pieces, including this seasons Rookie of the Year, alongside the second pick in this incredibly deep draft, and some other future picks that don’t rely on Giannis and the Spurs sucking as they belong to New Orleans and Atlanta. The only way I don’t see this happening is if San Antonio wants to be patient and really build this Wemby era from the ground up with some draft luck help.

My overall rating for all parties involved: 4.5/5

Trade 2: The Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

OKC receives — Giannis Antetokounmpo. -$54.1M

MIL receives — Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Aaron Wiggins, 2025 first-round pick (#15 overall), 2026 first-round pick (PHI top 4 protected), 2027 first-round pick (right to swap with LAC), 2030 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick (HOU/IND/MIA), 2029 second-round pick (MIA), 2030 second-round pick (MIA). -$51.9M

Now, this trade only has a shot at happening if the Oklahoma City Thunder don’t win the championship this year, or at least make the finals. Let’s say Denver wins in seven games; that’ll mean back-to-back second-round exits for the Thunder and will put pressure on Sam Presti to cash in his plethora of draft picks. Now, Presti historically is a very conservative GM when it comes to making trades, which is why this would be unlikely. However, I would see this as an absolute win for all three parties. Milwaukee sees Giannis go to the West, gets back Chet, two other nice pieces, and a ton of picks that don’t belong to OKC, whilst the Thunder get a second superstar that can help take them over this potential hump.

My overall rating for all parties involved: 4.5/5

Trade 3: The Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Brooklyn Nets.

BKN receives — Giannis Antetokounmpo. -$54.1M

MIL receives — Cam Thomas (Sign & Trade, 4yr/$95M front loaded), Nic Claxton, Jalen Wilson, 2025 first-round pick (#8 overall), 2025 first-round pick (#19 overall), 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick (NY), 2027 first-round pick (PHI top 8 protected), 2031 first-round pick (NY), 2031 second-round pick (LAL). -$54.1M

As a Nets fan, this idea for Giannis sounded so much better in my head. Now, the Nets front office has made it clear that acquiring Giannis is “Plan A” for them, demonstrating how they haven’t learned from the KG/Pierce/Terry and the KD/Harden/Kyrie failed eras that mortgaging your future assets for win-now 30-something-year-olds doesn’t always work out. I kinda like this trade for Milwaukee. Wilson and Claxton are both underrated pieces, and Cam Thomas is definitely something. I’m not sure what, but something. Plus, they get all of the Knicks’ picks from the Mikal Bridges trade, which may turn into something as New York is in win-now mode. The main issue here is Giannis. He will basically be in the same exact situation he is in right now, but with a better coach and a higher tax bill. To satisfy their new shiny toy, Brooklyn would have to chase after a fellow star in free agency this year, which would be slim pickings. The best-case scenario is Julius Randle. Not great.

My overall rating for all parties involved: 3/5

Trade 4: The Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Detroit Pistons.

DET receives — Giannis Antetokounmpo. -$54.1M

MIL receives — Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick (swap best with MIL), 2031 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick (MIL), 2029 second-round pick (MIL). -$51.9M

Personally, I don’t think Detroit should trade for Giannis — or any other superstar, for that matter. I really like what they have going for them, and building around Cade is the way to go. However, if their front office feels like it’s time to take the leap to the next level, especially with how weak the East is currently in comparison to the West, then this is the trade I would make. This trade focuses less on draft assets and more on allowing Milwaukee to remain competitive with some nice young pieces. Also, I’m certain Giannis would be very happy getting to play alongside the blossoming Cade Cunningham, whilst simultaneously avoiding the gauntlet that is the Western Conference.

My overall rating for all parties involved: 4/5

Trade 5: The Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Houston Rockets.

HOU receives — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma. -$76.5M

MIL receives — Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, 2025 first-round pick (#10 overall), 2027 first-round pick (right to swap with BKN), 2027 first-round pick (PHX), 2027 second-round pick (right to swap with POR/NO). -$72.9M

Perhaps the destination that is most discussed within NBA circles for Giannis — the Houston Rockets. A true win/win/win situation for everybody involved. This trade allows Houston to get some terrific young pieces, acquire some great-looking 2027 draft picks, and get off that awful Kuzma contract that might become a problem in the foreseeable future. With this trade, the Rockets will shed some players — something that needs to be done as they truly have too much good but not great talent — whilst keeping key players like Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr, Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore, and the yet to be truly released Reed Sheppard. With this trade, the Rockets get what they need more than anything, too — a true closer for them in the down in the clutch. Building around Giannis and Amen Thompson with Ime Udoka as your head coach? I love the sound of that.

My overall rating for all parties involved: 5/5

Which of these five mock trades do you like the most? Did I miss out on a team that you think has a genuine shot at the Giannis sweepstakes?