How the OKC Thunder Could Get Giannis Antetokounmpo

If the Bucks don't meet Giannis Antetokounmpo's conditions, the former MVP could soon be on the move.

Milwaukee has been home to Giannis Antetokounmpo for the past decade, but that may not last much longer.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Antetokounmpo laid out some of his goals for the next few years. Among those was his desire to win another NBA championship, whether in Milwaukee or elsewhere.

While a significant move is not imminent, next offseason will largely determine Antetokounmpo’s long-term future. If he were to ask for a trade in the summer of 2024, the Oklahoma City Thunder could be a potential destination.

Antetokounmpo said he was unwilling to sign an extension with the Bucks this offseason and would rather wait until next year. His desire to play with one team for his entire career is strong, but his motivation to win another ring will be the driving factor in any decision.

“I would not be the best version of myself if I don’t know that everybody’s on the same page, everybody’s going for a championship, everybody’s going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do,” Antetokounmpo said. “And if I don’t feel that, I’m not signing.”

If Antetokounmpo does not sign an extension in 2024, the Thunder could be in a great position to make a trade for him. Since any team trading for Antetokounmpo in 2024 would only be guaranteed one season with him, the Bucks may not get many enticing offers.

The Thunder’s ability to offer multiple first-round picks from previous deals may set them apart. Package those picks with at least one of Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace, and the Thunder could have the best offer.

Any trade for Antetokounmpo would drastically change the team's look, but it would likely be worth the risk. Oklahoma City would try to keep Holmgren to pair with Antetokounmpo in the frontcourt and would probably be willing to trade only one of Giddey and Williams.

Since Giddey’s potential extension would kick in in 2025-26, a year before Williams’s, he would headline a package including Wallace and Luguentz Dort. Some fillers would then need to be added to match Antetokounmpo’s $48.7 million salary for 2024-25.

The result would be an Oklahoma City core consisting of Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren. Those four core players could fit together seamlessly, as Antetokounmpo’s Bucks currently have a similar makeup.

Pairing Antetokounmpo with an elite defensive center who can shoot from outside has had phenomenal results. Brook Lopez has filled that void next to him over the past five seasons and was a crucial part of the Bucks’ 2021 championship run.

Although Khris Middleton has been a perfect fit alongside Antetokounmpo, Gilgeous-Alexander would immediately be the best player he has ever teamed up with. That star pairing may be enough to sell Antetokounmpo on the Thunder long-term.

Add Williams to the mix, and not only are the Thunder a team built to compliment Antetokounmpo’s strength, but their youth could keep the two-time MVP happy for a long time. The Thunder’s young players could grow into championship-level talent while helping Antetokounmpo compete for championships as he finishes his prime and enters the latter stages of his career.

Off the court, the Thunder can offer Antetokounmpo something only a few teams can. The Thunder have a reputation for taking care of their players and have created a culture that is perfect for a family-centric person like Antetokounmpo.

As much as the Thunder care about winning and competing on the court, they care about their players as people first. A sentiment strongly mirrored by Antetokounmpo.

While Oklahoma City could make a big swing, and Antetokounmpo would undoubtedly have a massive effect on the team, the timing may never be right. If Oklahoma City takes a significant jump in 2023-24, speeding up the timeline might not make sense any longer.

The Thunder have preached about not skipping steps throughout the rebuild. If the Thunder could enter the 2024-25 season as contenders with their current core, an Antetokounmpo trade could mess up a formula that already works well.

Ultimately, any potential deal hinges on what happens next season in Milwaukee and Oklahoma City. But if things align just right, the Thunder could have a duo of MVP-caliber players once again.

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