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East Contender Emerges as Trade Partner for Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo

Where Giannis Antetokounmpo ends up for the 2025-26 regular season is perhaps the most intriguing and pertinent question of the NBA's upcoming summer, and the number of legitimate outcomes is significant.

Most insiders around the country agree that the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are best-equipped to put together a package for the star big man that will meet the requirements of the Milwaukee Bucks and still maintain a roster competitive enough to interest the two-time MVP, who has made it clear that winning a second championship ring is his priority. However, there are other franchises that could make sense.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst suggested on May 15 that both the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks could potentially get a deal done, though only if Antetokounmpo tells Milwaukee one of those destinations is the only place he wants to go and is willing to leverage his free agency two years down the road to scare off any other suitors.

Then there is a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder, which had the best record in the league this season and is now in the Western Conference Finals and owns the best odds to win a title in June. The Thunder also have more draft assets over the next five-plus years than any team in the league.

Last, but not least, is the proposition of the Cleveland Cavaliers as a trade partner for Antetokounmpo. Cleveland was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and has lost in the second round of the playoffs in each of the past two years. The team has star power in the form of All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, as well as the Defensive Player of the Year in Evan Mobley who would be the key, and perhaps only, piece required for the Cavaliers to land Antetokounmpo.

Bill Simmons of The Ringer pitched the idea on the Sunday, May 18 edition of his podcast, which Ryen Russillo co-hosted.

"Mobley for Giannis straight up," Simmons said. "We can do the deal on July 1, when Mobley's kicker comes in."

"Done," Russillo responded.

"I think I'm doing it. I think it's a great trade," Simmons continued. "If you had to say one side has to throw in something else, which team would you pick to have to throw something else in? Giannis is a better player, but Mobley is six and a half years younger. ... I think it's a really fair trade."

Mobley averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocks in his fourth NBA season, earning All-Star honors for the first time. He recently inked a five-year deal worth $225 million that keeps him under contract through the 2029-30 campaign, which he will play at 28 years old.

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