After months of rumors, Giannis Antetokounmpo finally ripped the Band-Aid off. The Milwaukee Bucks star reportedly requested a trade before the Feb. 5 deadline, instantly making him the hottest name on the market.
Rumblings of discontent from Antetokounmpo began this offseason when the Bucks waived and stretched Damian Lillard to clear cap space for the Myles Turner signing. Tensions have escalated as Milwaukee has struggled this season, sitting 12th in the East at 18-27 while Antetokounmpo has publicly called out the team's effort. Antetokounmpo, for his part, has battled a pair of calf injuries and is currently sidelined while tending to the issue.
So, where will Antetokounmpo land? Here are four destinations:
Miami Heat
Earlier Wednesday the one and only Bryan Kalbrosky detailed a pathway for Antetokounmpo to land on the Heat, and we'll echo his idea here. Miami's package would be centered around All-Star guard Tyler Herro, rising big Kel'el Ware and draft compensation. The Heat would get another chance at title contention after being stuck in the Play-In zone for years, while Milwaukee gets a hometown kid in Herro, plus a potential starting center for the foreseeable future.
San Antonio Spurs
A frontcourt of Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama is as fearsome as you could possibly imagine. To get it done, the Spurs could put together a package featuring Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and multiple first-round picks. Now, whether that's enough of a return for Milwaukee to jump-start its rebuild is another question.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards and Antetokounmpo running the pick and roll would have defenses in absolute panic mode. The salaries don't make sense for a deal here, but it's hard not to salivate over the idea of Antetokounmpo replacing Rudy Gobert in the Timberwolves' lineup. Antetokounmpo is exactly the type of running mate Edwards could use to chase championships in Minnesota.
New York Knicks
The Knicks have been mediocre at best since hoisting the NBA Cup, and what better surge of energy than adding Antetokounmpo? Karl-Anthony Towns is a solid starting point, but New York does not have ample draft compensation to entice Milwaukee further. It likely wouldn't matter if Antetokounmpo forced his way to New York, but we're not there yet.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 4 Giannis Antetokounmpo trade destinations as Bucks star seeks exit
