Even though no reports have confirmed this, Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are the only implied untouchables on the Toronto Raptors’ roster.
Barnes is considered Toronto’s franchise cornerstone as a 23-year-old All-Star selected with the No. 4 pick in 2021. Meanwhile, Ingram signed a steep three-year, $120 million contract with the Raptors in February, making moving him rather tough and illogical.
Until the Raptors officially say so, it’s impossible to rule out trade scenarios involving either of their star forwards. Organizations understand at this point what level of player they’re getting in Ingram, but Barnes could attract serious attention around the NBA given his upside.
Raptors Predicted To Deal Scottie Barnes for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks appear to be on the right track toward retaining their long-time franchise cornerstone, Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, with tension building between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in recent seasons due to a lack of success, Milwaukee could be tempted to explore offers.
ESPN’s Zach Kram predicts the Raptors will offer essentially all they can for the nine-time All-Star, as he pitched the following win-now trade.
Toronto Raptors get: Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks get: Barnes, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, 2025 first-round pick (No. 9), 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick.
The Bucks will likely not trade Antetokounmpo unless forced to, but this is one of the most appealing returns in that scenario.
“Antetokounmpo and Raptors president Masai Ujiri go way back, and Ujiri has never been shy about taking big swings for stars,” Kram wrote. “Toronto’s recent moves, including trading for and extending Brandon Ingram, suggest Ujiri wants to leap back into contention sooner rather than later — and in a depleted Eastern Conference field, adding Giannis could make that happen.”
Antetokounmpo, RJ Barrett, and Ingram’s core could make noise in the relatively weak Eastern Conference, especially with the Boston Celtics potentially preparing to change their core drastically. Not to mention, Antetokounmpo is on his three-year, $175 million contract for at least two more seasons, which aligns well with Ingram’s new deal.
Toronto would be left with no depth, meaning Ujiri would need to stay active on the trade and free agency markets.
“The Bucks would be able to start building a young core of Barnes, Dick, and the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft. The other picks headed to Milwaukee would be concentrated toward the end of the maximum seven-year trading window, so Milwaukee wouldn’t have to rely on picks from a team led by Giannis in his prime, which would be more likely to come at the end of the first round,” Kram concluded.
It’s almost a given the Bucks will also trade veteran All-Star Damian Lillard if Antetokounmpo heads elsewhere, meaning their hypothetical core would expand even further than Barnes, Dick, and whichever prospect is selected at No. 9.
Antetokounmpo spending at least one more season in Milwaukee is the more probable outcome. Still, if tension unexpectedly flares up later in the summer, the Bucks should entertain Ujiri and company.
