With a stockpile of young talent and draft capital, D.C. could pivot from a patient rebuild to an immediate title chase for Milwaukee’s disgruntled two-time MVP.
We are only one day removed from the Washington Wizards being linked as a potential suitor for LeBron James, but somehow we've found an even more preposterous rumor the day after.
On May 25, 2026, Senior NBA writer Marc Spears speculated that Washington is a potential suitor for two-time MVP and former NBA Champion, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
This shouldn't come as a shock to many, as the Milwaukee Bucks have been entertaining the idea of trading away Antetokounmpo for quite some time now. Additionally, Washington could potentially emerge as a preferred landing spot in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, as Washington has multiple intriguing young assets that could help facilitate a trade.
However, the question remains: Will Washington pull the trigger and land the two-time MVP?
Milwaukee Bucks Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) | © Reggie Hildred-Imagn ImagesThere's no denying that Washington's young core is one of the league's best -- headlined by Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Will Riley, Tre Johnson, the number one overall pick and company, Washington could be championship contenders for the foreseeable future.
However, Washington has enough draft capital and young assets to make a compelling offer for Antetokounmpo.
Many believe that a trade for Antetokounmpo would command multiple first-round picks, a young asset or two, and a budding star for Milwaukee to build around. However, a trade for Antetokounmpo would not come cheap for Washington, and they'd have to part ways with premium assets and players.
Washington would have to trade two, maybe three first-round picks, along with Anthony Davis and one of Bilal Coulibaly, Will Riley, Tre Johnson or Kyshawn George in order for Milwaukee to even consider moving Antetokounmpo. If Washington were to land Antetokounmpo, they'd have one of the best rosters in the NBA and could even be a favorite to win the Eastern Conference.
However, Washington would be tearing apart a majority of their young and promising core that they've built over the past three years.
Should Washington speed up their "contending" window and trade for Antetokounmpo? I think that they should, but don't think they will.
I believe that Washington should trade for Antetokounmpo as long as they can do two things: retain the number one overall pick and trade Anthony Davis in the process.
Washington would have arguably the best front court in the Eastern Conference with Antetokounmpo and Alex Sarr, and by pairing them alongside Trae Young, Washington could have one of the best offenses in the league.
However, if Washington were to acquire Antetokounmpo, they'd be parting ways with multiple first-round picks, and likely one (maybe two) of their youth core players which is an extremely steep price to pay for GM's Brian Winger and Will Dawkins.
I believe that Washington is in an excellent position already, and trading for Antetokounmpo could potentially stunt the growth of their young core.
With all that being said, we know that Winger and Dawkins aren't scared to make a blockbuster move as they've done so in the past with Young and Davis. However, do they have another blockbuster move in their arsenal for Antetokounmpo?
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