As Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation continues to intensify, a former NBA general manager is shedding light on what Milwaukee’s front office would likely demand in any blockbuster deal.
Ex-NBA GM Says Bucks Will Need Immediate Overhaul After Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
Appearing on SiriusXM NBA Radio, former Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough discussed the Bucks’ leverage and long-term outlook if they ultimately move on from the two-time MVP.
McDonough made it clear that Milwaukee’s priority would not simply be draft compensation.
“As I look at the roster without him, I’m not trying to pile on for Bucks fans, but they’d be among the least talented rosters in the league,” McDonough said. “So I think you need a young centerpiece. Somebody to build around.”
That reality, McDonough explained, dramatically shapes the Bucks’ asking price.
Unlike teams that can pivot into a full rebuild, the Bucks do not control enough of their own future draft capital to rely heavily on picks alone. As a result, any Antetokounmpo trade would need to deliver immediate, tangible young talent.
“It’s not like they can load up with a bunch of picks going forward because they don’t control a lot of their own,” McDonough said. “So you’re completely reliant on another team.”
Because of those constraints, McDonough believes the Bucks would target at least one elite young prospect, or potentially multiple high-upside players, rather than a traditional picks-heavy package.
“That’s why I think a young stud, a young guy who could be a stud, is imperative,” he said. “If you can’t get one, maybe you get two who have a lesser ceiling but a shot at it.”
The goal, McDonough added, would be to give fans and the organization a clear direction post-Antetokounmpo.
“I think that’s imperative for the Bucks to say, ‘Hey, we’re building around this guy or these guys,’” he said. “Then people can see the vision going forward.”
McDonough was blunt about what should not be Milwaukee’s plan.
“The goal can’t be to sneak into the play-in tournament for the next couple years,” he said. “I don’t think that should be the long-term vision of Milwaukee. Frankly, I think they’re too far away from that as soon as Giannis goes out the door.”
Those comments align with recent league-wide reporting that any Antetokounmpo trade would rank among the largest in NBA history. The 31-year-old superstar is under a three-year, $175.37 million maximum veteran extension, and any acquiring team would almost certainly need to commit to him beyond his 2027 free agency.
Teams such as the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat have been linked to Antetokounmpo due to their urgency to contend and their ability to aggregate large salaries.
The Warriors, in particular, have been cited as having a mix of future first-round picks, matching contracts, and young talent that could theoretically meet Milwaukee’s demands under this framework.
McDonough, who served as Suns general manager from 2013 to 2018 and finished runner-up for NBA Executive of the Year in 2013–14, framed the situation as a rare inflection point for the Bucks.
If Milwaukee does decide to trade the Greek Freak, McDonough’s remarks suggest the price will be clear. It’s not just assets for the future, but young players capable of becoming the foundation of the franchise’s next era.
