Bucks' asking price should have Spurs prepared for challenging path to Giannis

As the San Antonio Spurs ramp up for the 2025 NBA Draft, a big question remains: Are they going to trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo? Giannis would potentially make the Spurs an immediate contender.

However, the Bucks are reportedly looking to bleed any potential Giannis suitor dry in a blockbuster trade, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. If the Spurs are interested in trading for Giannis, then that could spell trouble for San Antonio.

Even despite reports that the Spurs are unlikely to make a big trade, they may be forced to make a move given the logjam their standing pat presents. After all, their current starting lineup is projected to include De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell.

That would push projected second overall pick Dylan Harper to the bench and limit his opportunity to earn big minutes as a rookie. As a result, simply adding to their roster without making a big trade doesn't make a lot of sense, but a deal with the Bucks may prove even more costly than first thought.

The Bucks are expected to demand more for Giannis Antetokounmpo

A potential Giannis trade would almost certainly have to include the second overall pick as well as Vassell and Keldon Johnson. They may also have to be forced to give up the 14th pick as well as Atlanta's 2027 first.

Trading Vassell and Johnson in a deal for Giannis would be an easy decision to make, with their contracts helping to match salary. Losing those picks, however, would prove costly. Harper has multi-time All-Star potential, though he might not be able to reach that full potential playing on a team with a proven star in Fox and another rising star in Castle.

He also isn't officially a Spur just yet, so there is no attachment to him as a player. Thus, moving that pick shouldn't be completely off the table. Nor should them moving the Hawks' unprotected first-round pick, even though it could possibly be a lottery selection in 2027.

Giving up the 14th pick in this year's draft would also hurt. Even so, it would allow the Spurs to consolidate their team and create a more streamlined roster that could thrive.

The Spurs' acquiring Giannis may be worth the steep asking price

Even if that gives them a 3-year window with Giannis, they will still have Wembanyama and Castle to build around afterward. Therefore, it could be well worth the risk if they have three shots at winning a championship.

Fox, Castle, Harrison Barnes, Giannis, Wembanyama, Chris Paul, Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan, and whoever they sign with the mid-level exception would be a great rotation. Especially when compared to the projected rotation that doesn't have them trading for Giannis.

That might not be what Spurs fans want. Nevertheless, it would immediately make the Spurs contenders without sacrificing their core of Fox, Castle, and Wembanyama. Not to mention them adding a bona fide superstar to the mix.

Ultimately, the Spurs shouldn't foreclose on the idea of trading for Giannis this summer. After all, by standing pat, it would create a logjam at guard that would hurt the Spurs more than help. Trading for Giannis would solve that problem and make them a true contender but would cost them major assets, making the potential deal a big gamble.