The Milwaukee Bucks aren't likely to make a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Losing to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games in the Western Conference Finals has cast doubt on the future of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Whenever a team doesn't reach its ultimate goal, rumors are going to be present about potential changes. For the Thunder, they not only have the means to take a big swing with their roster and draft assets, they seem to have a big need: Finding someone who can slow down Victor Wembanyama, a player they will have to compete with for at least the next decade.
Giannis Antetokounmpo could be a solution to their Wemby problem as he might be the only player that comes close to matching Wemby's size, strentgh, athleticism, and skill.
Giannis And OKC
Marc Stein wrote in his latest newsletter, “Giannis to the Thunder? In consulting with various rival executives in the wake of Oklahoma City's Game 7 loss at home to San Antonio in the Western Conference finals, I've yet to encounter any who strongly believe that Sam Presti would pursue such a dramatic move in response to the defending champions' dethroning. No theoretical Giannis suitor is better equipped trade asset-wise to put an appealing picks-laden offer on the table than Presti's Thunder, but such a drastic response to one playoff series — disappointing as it was — just isn't a Thunder-y sort of move.”
Thunder general manager Sam Presti is heralded as one of, if not the, best general managers in the league. He didn't reach that status by making rash decisions based on one game or one series.
While the Thunder did fall to the Spurs, they were without Jalen Williams, a third-team All-NBA and second-team All-Defense player. They were also without Ajay Mitchell a sophomore guard who emerged as the team's second best offensive creator in light of Williams' injury struggles throughout 2025-26.
Missing those two players made things tougher on OKC, and they were unable to overcome the loss of both men.
Milwaukee Should Still Call
While Presti is unlikely to pick up the phone to call Milwaukee, Bucks general manager Jon Horst should make a call to the Thunder to see if there is any interest.
The Thunder not only have a treasure trove of first round draft picks, including the 12th and 17th overall picks in the 2026 draft, they have young players like Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, and Nikola Topic who would be top building blocks moving forward.
Presti might immediately hang up the phone or outright ignore the call, but the call should still be made.
