NBA trade proposal sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to Pacers

The Pacers haven’t emerged as a serious player in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes – at least not yet.

But one new trade proposal imagines exactly what it would take for Indiana to enter the conversation.

Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star recently floated a blockbuster scenario that would send Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee to Indianapolis and pair the former MVP with Tyrese Haliburton. Let’s take a look:

Pacers receive

• Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks receive

• Pascal Siakam
• Jarace Walker
• Indiana’s 2028 first-round pick
• Indiana’s 2030 first-round pick
• Indiana’s 2032 first-round pick
• At least one second-round pick

The proposal would give Milwaukee an established All-Star in Siakam, a young prospect in Walker, and multiple future draft assets as the franchise potentially begins a new era.

For Indiana, the move would be an obvious win-now swing.

The Pacers are expected to welcome Haliburton back next season after he missed all of 2025-26 while recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered during the 2025 NBA Finals. Adding Antetokounmpo alongside Haliburton and center Ivica Zubac would instantly give Indiana one of the league’s most intriguing cores.

A projected starting lineup of Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Antetokounmpo and Zubac certainly looks formidable on paper.

Of course, there are plenty of questions.

Would Milwaukee prefer younger players and draft capital from another suitor? Would Indiana be willing to part with Siakam, who remains a major part of the franchise’s identity? And perhaps most importantly, would Antetokounmpo view the Pacers as a destination capable of competing for championships?

At the moment, Indiana hasn’t been prominently linked to Giannis in league circles.

But if the Bucks ultimately decide to move their franchise superstar, expect plenty of creative trade ideas to surface between now and the draft.

This one would certainly qualify as a blockbuster.