Jan 19, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball down the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images | Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the move soon. The rumors about the superstar forward being ready to find a new home have become a reality, so a divorce from the Milwaukee Bucks seems inevitable and perhaps imminent. Antetokounmpo got injured recently, which led to speculation that he wouldn’t be traded until the offseason, but reports indicate that several teams are trying to make a move for him now. The more motivated prospective buyers appear to be the Warriors, Timberwolves, and Heat, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Knicks, reportedly Giannis’ preferred destination, are also an option, but might lack the young talent and picks that Milwaukee is after. The Spurs have reportedly not engaged the Bucks in any negotiations, which makes sense. But they could get involved not to get Giannis but to keep him in the East and get better in the process, by making sure the Heat get the Greek Freak while getting Andrew Wiggins for their troubles. The trades Spurs send Harrison Barnes, Kelly Olynyk, and 2027 Hawks pick to the Heat for Andrew Wiggins. The Heat then sends Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami’s 2030 and 2032 first-round picks, 2029 and 2031 pick swaps, and Atlanta’s 2027 first-round pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. Why the Heat and Bucks would do it The Heat could offer four of their own picks in the offseason, but only two first-round picks at the deadline because of the Stepien rule. The Spurs sending the Hawks’ 2027 first-rounder would give the Heat a key asset to make their offer more appealing to Milwaukee now. Any team that actually gets Giannis is expected to be good, so getting a pick from a different franchise is valuable. The Hawks, who are in transition from Trae Young, could be a lottery team next year, so the pick is intriguing. Losing Wiggins hurts their depth, but it might be the only way to secure a third pick to trade, and they could potentially keep Barnes. For the Bucks, getting a pick that won’t take years to convey could be a selling point to their fan base, and the Miami offer could be the best one on the table, as it gives them a borderline All-Star to flip (Herro), a blue chip prospect (Kel’el Ware), a recent first-rounder (Jakucionis) a big expiring (Rozier, plus the potential for a parallel trade with Barnes for Kyle Kuzma), and a haul of picks. They go for a full rebuild, shedding salary and focusing on the future, and they would receive the bulk of the draft assets coming from Miami when Giannis and Bam Adebayo are expected to start to slow down. The Spurs are not the only team that can grease the wheels on a Milwaukee-Miami trade, but they can offer expiring deals that can facilitate a second, parallel move and offer a third pick to sweeten the deal for Milwaukee, which makes them one of the best fits. Why the Spurs would do it There are several reasons why the Spurs would consider making the trade. The first one is straightforward: Andrew Wiggins represents an upgrade over Harrison Barnes. The former No. 1 overall pick is younger, more athletic, a better defender, and has shot 38 percent from beyond the arc in the last five years. Barnes has the edge as a marksman and is more durable than Wiggins, but he’s almost 34 years old, and his recent slump could be a sign that he’s slowing down. The second reason is that the move would provide a safety net for next season. Barnes will be a free agent, while Wiggins has a player option that he’s expected to pick up, giving the Spurs a competent veteran with gas in the tank as a placeholder at one of the forward spots on a mid-sized expiring contract. They can try to flip him or part ways with him as the team becomes more expensive. It could also allow them to let Julian Champagnie walk if he becomes too pricey, while not having to throw Carter Bryant into their starting lineup before he’s ready. The third reason is that by making sure the Heat get Antetokounmpo, the Spurs are preventing Western teams from improving. The Timberwolves, in particular, could take a step forward as contenders if they can add The Greek Freak to their team while keeping some semblance of depth. They would immediately have the best duo in the league in Anthony Edwards and Antetokounmpo. As for the Warriors, while they would not likely be an immediate contender even with Giannis, they could be a tough out in the playoffs and are a destination franchise that could see other veterans leave money on the table to join a Curry-Antetokounmpo duo. Finally, while trading a first-round pick for what is not expected to be a season-changing upgrade might seem steep, the 2027 NBA draft is expected to be one of the weakest in a while. There are always gems in every class, as the Spurs proved when they selected Stephon Castle in 2024, so it’s not a decision that should be made lightly. But San Antonio is probably not too concerned in the young talent department, since the franchise has three top-five picks from the past three drafts, and would still keep their 2026 pick, which could end up in the lottery, since they have swap rights with the Hawks. The Antetokounmpo trade will have massive implications for the future of the league. The Spurs are on a different timeline, so it makes sense for them not to go after the big prize of the transaction, but if they can upgrade at forward for this season and likely the next, and keep Giannis in the East while only trading a first-rounder from a projected bad draft class, it might be worth getting involved. ...read more read less