Rumors are surfacing that if Giannis Antetokounmpo officially requests a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, the Toronto Raptors could land near the top of his wish list. According to Toronto Star’s Doug Smith, there’s “mutual interest” between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors. Smith also noted that Toronto sits in a unique position. The team could make a strong trade offer without gutting its roster.
New Giannis-Raptors Rumors Yield Massive Plot Twist
Raptors Eye a Major Offseason Splash
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Toronto is “looking for a big fish” in the offseason trade market. If that’s true, a move for Antetokounmpo fits perfectly.
The Bucks haven’t advanced beyond the second round since winning the 2021 title. Still, Antetokounmpo has remained one of the league’s elite players.
During the 2024-25 season, Giannis averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He was third in MVP voting, extending his streak of top-four finishes to seven consecutive years. Giannis has a DPOY and five All-Defensive selections to his name. He’s made the All-NBA Second Team for nine straight years. He shot an efficient 60.1 percent from the field over 67 games. It marked his third straight season scoring over 30 points per game.
Toronto’s Assets Make a Deal Possible
Toronto owns the pieces to build an enticing offer. The Raptors could package young talent like Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Ja’Kobe Walter, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley.
They also control all of their future first-round picks. This includes the No. 9 overall pick in the upcoming draft. That gives the Raptors significant flexibility in negotiations.
Antetokounmpo has reportedly shown interest in joining the Raptors. That adds more weight to Toronto’s potential pitch.
The Brandon Ingram Trade Suddenly Makes Sense
Toronto’s recent trade now looks much clearer. The Raptors acquired Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans. In return, they sent Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, one first-round pick, and a second-rounder.
At first glance, the trade didn’t fit well. Toronto now has six starter-level players: Quickley, Gradey, Barnes, Ingram, Poeltl, and Barrett.
Despite that imbalance, the Raptors showed promise late in the season. They won 10 of 15 games after the All-Star break, even with most starters out injured. They also ranked 12th in bench points, showing sneaky depth.
Masai Ujiri’s Moves Hint at Bigger Goals
Masai Ujiri might be quietly signaling that the team no longer sees Barnes as its future alpha. The Eastern Conference feels more open than usual, especially with Jayson Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles.
Adding Giannis would echo the Raptors’ bold 2018 move to trade for Kawhi Leonard. That risk paid off with a championship. They now hope to recreate that magic.
Ujiri has the assets and the opportunity. If the Raptors act with precision, this offseason could shift the balance of power in the East.
A Contender Falls, a New One Rises?
NBA insider Shams Charania has repeatedly stressed that this offseason could be wild. If Giannis is truly open to Toronto, that’s a conference-altering move.
If Milwaukee’s era ends, Toronto could rise like a phoenix—just like it did in 2018-19.
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