Is Giannis Antetokounmpo Going To the Raptors?

The Toronto Raptors have long been speculated as a potential trade fit for Giannis Antetokounmpo. After years of rumours about the Greek Freak’s future, the 2026 offseason seems to be when it will finally become reality. The Milwaukee Bucks are backed into a corner without the flexibility to build a contender around the two-time MVP. 

Antetokounmpo won’t necessarily be a basketball betting favourite for MVP at the BetMGM online sportsbook in 2027. His MVP-winning days are likely behind him. Still, a healthy Antetokounmpo is unquestionably in the top five players in the NBA and would significantly raise the ceiling of these Raptors.

Will Raptors Trade For Giannis Antetokounmpo?

As of early June, it’s too early to say whether the Raptors will trade for Antetokounmpo. Toronto is certainly going to be in the mix if the latest reports are anything to go by.

According to Jake Fischer, the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Minnesota Timberwolves will not be taking part in the sweepstakes. The Orlando Magic are reportedly not interested in involving Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner in a potential trade.

That leaves a limited number of potential suitors for Antetokounmpo and even fewer teams with the assets to outbid the Raptors. Suggestions that the Bucks could look to include Myles Turner, who has $90 million remaining on his contract through 2028-29, will deter other possible suitors. 

Possible Raptors Trades for Giannis

The numbers to acquire Turner and Antetokounmpo get very difficult unless the Raptors send two of Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley in the deal. 

One path is to send Barrett’s expiring with Ingram and Jakob Poeltl. This would work financially, and taking on Turner’s money could enable the Raptors to keep Collin Murray-Boyles and reduce the number of draft picks being sent out. 

This would leave Toronto with a starting lineup of Quickley, Barnes, Antetokounmpo, Turner, and one of Ja’Kobe Walter or Jamal Shead. Milwaukee’s only long-term money would be Poeltl’s deal. The Raptors could use the mid-level exception to add a shooting wing. 

Alternatively, Toronto may want to avoid Turner’s bloated, long-term contract and make a straight deal for Giannis. Ingram and Poeltl again make the most sense for salary-matching purposes, but the Raptors would need to give up a far more significant haul of assets to compensate for Poeltl’s contract and the Bucks still being stuck with Turner.

At least three first-round picks would be required, along with two or three swaps. Toronto may also need to add Shead to the deal as a sweetener. Milwaukee will be keen to acquire developmental players for the post-Giannis era. 

Keeping Barrett would give the Raptors a more balanced roster. Quickley, Barrett, Barnes, Antetokounmpo, and Murray-Boyles are a starting five capable of going on a deep playoff run, and the Raptors could use their mid-level exception to bring back Sandro Mamukelashvili for some frontcourt shooting next to Antetokounmpo and Barnes. 

Other alternatives, perhaps involving AJ Green or Ryan Rollins, are a bit more far-fetched. Either player would bolster the Raptors’ backcourt if they lost Shead in a potential deal, and the extra shooting would be invaluable in lineups featuring Barnes and Antetokounmpo. 

Milwaukee will be reluctant to part with Rollins, though, and Green’s $10 million salary complicates trade negotiations further.