Spurs could corner the market for Giannis with an imaginative trade

The San Antonio Spurs are just days away from the beginning of a crucial offseason. First up is the 2025 NBA Draft, followed by free agency, where they may still be in the hunt for a star. The most obvious option is Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Spurs may have a secret weapon to land him.

NBA insider Sam Vecenie recently floated an intriguing idea on his Game Theory podcast. In his podcast, he brought up the idea of trading for the Bucks' 2026 and 2027 first-round picks. Those picks are currently owned by the New Orleans Pelicans due to the Jrue Holiday trade.

He even mentioned the idea of trading the 14th pick in this year's draft (or perhaps the Hawks' 2027 first) and one of the pick swaps owned by the Spurs. Namely the Boston Celtics' 2028 pick swap, which the Spurs received in the Derrick White trade.

Spurs could corner the market for Giannis with an imaginative trade

Having those picks in their war chest would give the Spurs a leg up in a potential Giannis trade. After all, the Bucks likely want those picks back to be able to rebuild if they were forced to move Giannis at some point this summer or next season.

The Bucks may take a step back next season, but perhaps not as much as people think. That is considering the injuries to some of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, with the Boston Celtics being without Jayson Tatum and the Indiana Pacers being without Tyrese Haliburton for all of next season.

The Bucks will, of course, be without Damian Lillard for all or most of next season. Fortunately for them, they will still have a top-5 player in Giannis, at least for the time being. That might devalue the Bucks' pick in 2026, while their 2027 first is very much up in the air.

The Spurs must still pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo

As Vecenie points out, the new Pelicans GM, Joe Dumars, might value a sure thing in the 14th pick more than a distant pick. Or, the Spurs could trade the Hawks' pick if a deal isn't done by the NBA Draft.

If nothing else, it would give the Spurs two assets instead of one and keep their options open. Landing Giannis would likely require multiple picks, Devin Vassell, and Harrison Barnes or Keldon Johnson.

It also may require the Spurs to give up one of Dylan Harper or Stephon Castle. But, perhaps Vassell, Barnes, and four firsts, including two of the Bucks' picks, could get a deal done. Especially since the market for acquiring stars has cooled off from its peak.

All told, the Spurs should be playing the long game in a potential Giannis trade. If they can trade for their picks, then the Spurs could eventually pair him with Victor Wembanyama.