After yet another first-round exit from the NBA Playoffs, it seems increasingly likely that the Milwaukee Bucks will be forced to trade star Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. The San Antonio Spurs would likely be near the top of the list of potential landing spots for Giannis, though it could prove costly.
The Spurs may have to give up Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson, or Harrison Barnes. That would be a painful trade given how attached fans have become to those players, but combined, they don't add up to Giannis' impact on both ends of the floor.
Assuming that the Spurs were able to make a deal for Giannis this summer, they would be gaining far more than they'd be sending out.
An underrated Giannis/Fox combo would put defenses in crazy conflict
One potential benefit of a Giannis trade with the Bucks would be that he'd be paired with a dynamic point guard in De'Aaron Fox. Fox was limited in his 17 games with the Spurs due to a hand injury and didn't get a chance to show what he could really do.
However, his ability to attack the basket and score in the mid-range could be all the more useful as a third option when paired with Giannis and Wembanyama. While Giannis and Wembanyama would likely spend plenty of time in pick-and-roll/pop situations, so too with Fox and Giannis.
With a true big three, Giannis and Fox could form a surprising offensive attack. Considering that the Spurs had significant problems with playmaking only a last seasons, adding Giannis to Fox and possibly Castle would give them plenty of playmakers.
Fox and Antetokounmpo would give the Spurs the ultimate combination
Fox can push the pace in transition, with the Spurs playing noticeably faster when he had the ball in his hands. Meanwhile, Giannis can thrive by bullying his way to the rack in the half court, giving the Spurs a sort of smash-and-dash offensive pairing.
Another underrated aspect of a potential trio would be that the Spurs could stagger Giannis, Wembanyama, and Fox, giving Giannis plenty of help. That's something that he hasn't always had in Milwaukee.
Fox could play more with the second unit, ensuring that San Antonio would have a star on the floor at all times. Doing so would keep Giannis from having to carry the offense or dig his team out of a hole once he reenters the game.
All told, while fans are likely salivating at the prospect of a Giannis and Wembanyama pairing, the prospect of pairing Fox and Giannis together is equally enticing. It will ultimately cost the Spurs a lot of assets, but could thrust them into championship contention as soon as next season.