As the NBA offseason heats up, all eyes are turning to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. After another disappointing playoff exit, speculation is growing about whether the two-time MVP could request a trade. While teams
like the San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, and Houston Rockets have often been linked as possible landing spots, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale has introduced two unexpected suitors into the conversation: the Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies.
The inclusion of the Grizzlies is especially intriguing. Memphis is coming off a frustrating season filled with injuries and unmet expectations, but the team remains loaded with young talent. According to reports, the Grizzlies were aggressive at the last trade deadline, even pursuing a blockbuster deal for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler before he ultimately landed with the Golden State Warriors. That level of ambition shows Memphis is looking to win now—and acquiring Giannis would immediately vault them into championship contention.
Pairing Antetokounmpo with Ja Morant would create one of the most dynamic duos in the league. Morant’s explosive playmaking combined with Giannis’s size, athleticism, and two-way dominance would be a nightmare for opponents. A potential trade package could be built around Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane, both of whom are talented, young, and under team control for the foreseeable future. Including one of them, along with draft capital, could make the offer appealing enough for Milwaukee to at least consider moving their franchise cornerstone.
Toronto also remains a dark horse in the Giannis sweepstakes. Raptors team president Masai Ujiri has a history of bold moves, most notably the 2018 deal that brought in Kawhi Leonard and led to a championship. With the team currently in a transitional phase, acquiring a generational player like Antetokounmpo would dramatically accelerate their timeline and restore Toronto’s status as an Eastern Conference powerhouse.
However, a deal with the Raptors would almost certainly require parting with former Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. While Toronto would ideally try to retain him, the Bucks would likely insist on his inclusion. Still, the Raptors possess a strong supporting cast of young players—such as Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl—that could help sweeten the pot. Ujiri’s fearlessness in pursuing superstar talent makes Toronto a sleeper team worth watching.
For the Bucks, trading Giannis would be a franchise-altering decision, and they would undoubtedly seek a massive return. If Antetokounmpo does request out, Milwaukee would be faced with a rare opportunity to reset its roster while still remaining competitive—especially if they can secure a centerpiece like Jackson, Bane, or Barnes.
Though nothing is certain yet, the fact that Memphis and Toronto are even being discussed as potential trade partners for Giannis signals just how wide open the NBA landscape could become this offseason. If either team can pull off a deal, the balance of power in the league could shift dramatically.
