According to Doug Smith of The Toronto Star, mutual interest exists between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Toronto Raptors.
Antetokounmpo is open-minded about leaving the Milwaukee Bucks this summer.
“I don’t know if it will happen but I do know there is mutual interest between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors,” Smith wrote. “The wild card is the cost. But I also think the Raptors are uniquely placed to make an attractive offer that won’t ruin their franchise or roster.”
With Smith’s reporting in mind, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed a four-team trade idea between the Bucks, Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls that lands Antetokounmpo in Toronto.
Raptors get: Giannis Antetokounmpo (from Bucks), Jalen Smith (from Bulls), Jevon Carter (from Bulls)
Bucks get: RJ Barrett (from Raptors), Gradey Dick (from Raptors), Chris Boucher (sign-and-trade from Raptors), Ja’Kobe Walter (from Raptors), Gabe Vincent (from Lakers), 2025 No. 9 (this and the following picks are all from Raptors), 2026 first-round swap rights, 2026 Lakers second-rounder, 2027 first-round pick, 2028 first-round swap rights, 2029 first-round pick, 2030 first-round swap rights, 2031 first-round pick, 2032 first-round swap rights (top-five protected for the Raptors)
Lakers get: Jakob Poeltl (from Raptors), Lonzo Ball (from Bulls)
Bulls: Dalton Knecht (from Lakers), Jarred Vanderbilt (from Lakers), Shake Milton (from Lakers), AJ Lawson (from Raptors), $10 million trade exception (Ball), $9 million trade exception (Smith), $1.5 million trade exception (Carter)
The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023. Antetokounmpo, 30, will make $54,126,380 next season.
Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. He has spent his entire career with the Bucks. The superstar forward has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks.
Antetokounmpo does not have a no-trade clause in his contract. The future Hall of Famer averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks this season.
The Bucks won 48 games in the regular season but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs in five games.
Meanwhile, the Raptors missed the postseason this year.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
