Bucks could acquire Zion Williamson by ending tenure with $175 million superstar
Despite a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade request getting shut down recently, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar’s dissatisfaction with his team’s performance is clear.
The Bucks won two of their first nine games to start the season, which has caused a flurry of trade speculation. Antetokounmpo has repeatedly shut down trade rumblings and remains loyal to Milwaukee, at least for the near future.
However, if their poor performance fails to improve relatively soon, the front office may be forced into a change. Stephen Noh of The Sporting News constructed the following mock trade:
Bucks receive: Zion Williamson, Jordan Hawkins, Yves Missi, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, multiple first-round picks
Pelicans receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Pelicans accept this trade if their confidence in Williamson’s health is dwindling. Antetokounmpo offers a similar skillset to Williamson, but his health is more reliable than the Pelicans star. He would join a cast of Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Dejounte Murray, and CJ McCollum, which is incredibly deep. The Pelicans would become contenders immediately.
Furthermore, Milwaukee agrees to this deal if Antetokounmpo requests out. This move would give the Bucks a chance to acquire an elite talent in Williamson. Additionally, Hawkins and Missi appear to be en route to long, successful NBA careers. Hawkins would immediately improve the Bucks’ perimeter defense and three-point shooting while Missi would complement an aging Brook Lopez nicely as the veteran enters the twilight of his career.
The timelines of Lopez aging out of the league and Missi emerging as a starting center pair well. Robinson-Earl is only involved due to salary-matching purposes.
Also, Noh mentioned the importance of the involved first-round draft capital, writing, “The Pelicans control several of the Bucks’ upcoming picks. If Milwaukee did want to rebuild, then getting back control of those picks is critically important.”
The Bucks should be relatively enticed by this Pelicans package, which arguably rivals the potential offer of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the services of two-time MVP Antetokounmpo.
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