Spurs must prove they're all-in on Giannis sweepstakes with shocking trade

With news that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo may soon be traded, the San Antonio Spurs appear to be a potential landing spot. The decision whether to pursue him or not is a surprisingly polarizing one among Spurs fans.

He has been arguably one of the three best players in the NBA this season and really over the last six seasons, but with the Spurs having a promising young core, fans don't want to see it broken up for a nearly 31-year-old superstar.

Look, I'm as attached to these players as much as the next Spurs fan, but hear me out. None of them combine to have the talent that Giannis does. Also, with the Oklahoma City Thunder looking increasingly like a potential dynasty, the Spurs should strongly consider adding more firepower.

Spurs should be all-in on Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes

The most obvious trade package for Giannis would be Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Stephon Castle, and the Hawks' 2027 first. I know that's a massive price to pay, but calm down and hear me out.

Vassell, as good as he's been in the absence of Victor Wembanyama and Castle, is still overpaid to the tune of more than $100 million over this season and next. In fact, he alone is making roughly half of what Giannis is making.

Johnson has finally figured out how to channel his raw energy into consistent production, though the Spurs might not be able to bring him back after his contract ends next season. Sochan's long-term role is questionable at best, and the Spurs seem unlikely to pay him this summer.

The only real gut-wrenching loss from this potential trade would be Castle, who looked like he was knocking on stardom's door before his hip injury. His trade value is at an all-time high, but what is his ceiling, really?

Castle, as talented as he is right now, probably would be hard-pressed to make multiple all-star teams without drastically improving as a shooter. He simply hasn't proven that he can yet.

Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo should be a no-brainer

Obviously, he's still young, and he ranks among the NBA's elite at getting to the rim, finishing, and drawing fouls, but his ceiling is clearly lower than Dylan Harper's. The Spurs would be keeping Harper in this deal, which would be akin to the Miami Heat keeping a young Dwyane Wade out of the Shaquille O'Neal trade with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2004.

Everyone knows Harper is going to be a star, but keeping him and adding one of the best players in the NBA means the Spurs would drastically raise their ceiling.

De'Aaron Fox, Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, Giannis, and Wembanyama would make for a stacked starting five. Harper would be the sixth man, eating up minutes at both point guard and shooting guard.

Carter Bryant would be the backup three and play some small ball four. Kelly Olynyk would likely play some power forward too, while the Spurs would still have Luke Kornet at center to anchor the second unit.

The Spurs would be an instant-contender with Giannis

Adding Giannis would make the Spurs a legit title contender, much more so than they are now. Better still, San Antonio may be able to acquire Giannis by trading only one of Castle or Harper.

They would also still have Fox, who's having one of the best seasons of his career. The core of Fox, Giannis, and Wembanyama would likely have at least three and a half seasons, including four potential playoff runs, before the Spurs would have to pay Harper.

Even then, they could easily pivot to Fox, Harper, and Wembanyama. The potential upside to acquiring Giannis could be incredible on both ends of the floor. Giannis being able to get downhill and attack the rim and draw in defenses would make Wembanyama's job a lot easier.

No more teams double- or triple-teaming Wembanyama in the post, with teams likely weary of giving Giannis or Fox an open runway to the rim or Champagnie or Barnes open threes. Wembanyama's shooting ability would force the opposing center away from the rim and keep teams from guarding Giannis with centers, meaning bully ball for Giannis.

It's hard to imagine a scenario in which the Spurs wouldn't be a top-5 offense and a top-10 defense with Giannis, and they'd match up favorably against the Thunder to boot. Ultimately, it comes down to where Giannis wants to play and whether the Spurs are willing to pay. If he wants to play with the Spurs and they are willing to give up what it takes, then it's a no-brainer.