Giannis' future is uncertain. Could OKC's unprecedented assets unlock a championship dynasty by pairing him with SGA? The stakes are immense.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have begun discussions with the organization about his long term future, including whether staying in Milwaukee remains his best path, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.
This development is something many around the NBA have seen coming for a while, with ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst even stating that Antetokounmpo made his trade request before the season started. With this news, it’s clear there will be a sweepstakes unlike almost any other in NBA history to land the former MVP.
However, just because every team will want him doesn’t mean every team can get him. For most, trying to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo is like creating matter out of nothing; he is simply unattainable.
The one team for whom it isn’t completely out of reach, however, is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Which raises the question: should the Thunder trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
The answer isn’t as black and white as it might seem though.
On one hand, trading for a perennial All-Star, former NBA champion, two-time MVP, and former Defensive Player of the Year while he’s still in his prime makes it easy to say yes. On the other hand, the Thunder are currently 21-1 and the overwhelming favorites to win the championship this season, and bringing in Giannis would require giving up a significant amount to make the trade happen.
Could the Thunder acquire him? Absolutely. They have the largest cache of assets in the league by far, and it isn’t particularly close. Oklahoma City is the deepest team in basketball, with end-of-bench guys and two-way players impacting games nightly, and they have two lottery picks who haven’t even stepped on the floor yet.
In addition to the players it would take to trade for Antetokounmpo, the Thunder have any number of picks the Bucks might want, including selections in the 2026 draft that could land at the top. Simply put, if they wanted to, the Thunder could make it happen and it wouldn’t take long for the Bucks to say yes.
The real question is whether they should, which likely depends on how you view this Thunder team not just for the rest of this season but for the foreseeable future.
If you believe the current roster, supplemented with draft additions and minor subtractions, can become a dynasty, the answer is likely no, and it’s an easy no. If you believe this team needs more, pairing Giannis with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would create one of the best duos in NBA history, and the answer becomes an easy yes.
Financially, trading for Antetokounmpo wouldn’t make things cheaper, though Sam Presti has shown he can navigate cap challenges effectively. On the court, the fit isn’t perfect.
Antetokounmpo’s lack of shooting could complicate spacing, but the Thunder have an experienced coaching staff that has consistently integrated unconventional pieces, and they could likely do it with Giannis as well.
The biggest question is the cost. Giving up draft picks is easy for Oklahoma City, but the true challenge is who they might have to trade. The Bucks would likely require a young player with star potential, which could mean Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren.
Trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t an option, and including either Williams or Holmgren might be too high a price. Doing so could derail a team that is building a potentially all-time great trio before it has fully taken shape.
For that reason, the wisest move for the Thunder is to wait. There is no urgency; the team isn’t struggling with a championship hangover, facing major injuries, or needing to appease stars. If Antetokounmpo finishes the season in Milwaukee, the Thunder can reassess this summer and decide whether acquiring him is worth it.
This team deserves a chance to go back-to-back, and disrupting that pursuit now would be a disservice to the organization.
So, should the Thunder trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Not at this moment. The right choice is patience, keeping the core intact, and letting time reveal whether this team truly needs the world class talent of a former MVP.