Amid growing speculation about top star’s future in Milwaukee—especially after the Bucks’ third consecutive first-round playoff exit and Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury—the Toronto Raptors could see an opportunity to bring in a new franchise cornerstone, similar to their 2019 title run with Kawhi Leonard.
Eric Koreen of The Athletic has outlined a major trade scenario that would send top prospect to Toronto for a fresh start.
Koreen’s proposed deal:
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Milwaukee Bucks receive: Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, 2027, 2029, and 2031 first-round picks (all top-1 protected), a 2028 pick swap, and a 2030 pick swap (in which Milwaukee gets the second-best pick out of the Bucks, Trail Blazers, and Raptors).
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Toronto Raptors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma.
Koreen notes that Raptors president Masai Ujiri has been interested in Antetokounmpo since before the star entered the NBA. While the Raptors may not carry the same star power or media spotlight as teams like the Knicks, Lakers, or Warriors, Canada’s population of over 40 million could provide a strong fan base and business growth potential for Antetokounmpo if he makes the move.
Mock Trade Offer ‘Getting Closer’ From a Player Perspective
Toronto could provide Giannis Antetokounmpo with a younger, more athletic core than what he currently has in Milwaukee, where the Bucks lack the flexibility to reshape the roster around him.
Eric Koreen of The Athletic speculates: “Imagine a lineup featuring Antetokounmpo, Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickley, and Jakob Poeltl. That group offers more long-term upside than Milwaukee’s current core—though it’s not without flaws, especially with Poeltl being a non-shooting big. That might be the trade-off. The Raptors would be thin on depth, relying on players like Ochai Agbaji, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Jamal Shead. They’d likely need another trade cycle to round out the roster.”
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Bucks reporter Eric Nehm argued that any potential trade for Antetokounmpo shouldn’t include protected picks and should involve at least eight total draft assets (picks and swaps).
“Barnes, Barrett, and Dick are all talented young players, so it makes sense that the draft compensation is a bit lighter,” Nehm wrote. “Barnes is the closest thing to a centerpiece, having already made an All-Star team, but it’s still unclear how you successfully build a team around him. Toronto’s own attempts have looked somewhat disjointed.”
‘It’s Possible’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is Done as a Buck
The morning after Damian Lillard went down in Game 4, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst offered a bleak outlook for the Bucks’ future.
“There’s a chance Giannis has already played his final game as a Buck,” Windhorst said on the April 28 episode of the Hoop Collective podcast. “I’m not saying it’s certain, but at this point, it would be irresponsible not to consider the possibility.”
Milwaukee’s season ended shortly after, with a heartbreaking Game 5 loss in Indiana—where they blew a seven-point lead in the final 40 seconds.
‘Wholesale Change’ in Milwaukee
Brian Windhorst isn’t the only one speculating that Giannis Antetokounmpo might be on his way out of Milwaukee this summer.
NBA insider Chris Haynes echoed a similar sentiment during his appearance on The Dan Patrick Show on April 23.
When asked whether Antetokounmpo would finish his career with the Bucks, Haynes was direct:
“I don’t think so,” he said. “The 2025 playoffs are going to be crucial for the Bucks. If they don’t reach the Finals—or at least make a deep run—you could see major changes across the organization.”
Haynes suggested those changes could impact everything from the coaching staff and front office to the player roster.
“If things fall apart this postseason, I could absolutely see them shifting direction—and that could include the end of the Antetokounmpo era as soon as this summer,” he added.