Detroit — This offseason will be the summer of Giannis Antetokounmpo. After spending his entire 13-year career with the Milwaukee Bucks, his departure appears inevitable this summer after nearly two years of countless trade rumors.
Antetokounmpo could be traded before the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday. But given the number of teams pursuing the star big man, the ongoing trade saga might last a few more weeks.
The Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Portland Trail Blazers are viewed as the leading teams in the pursuit of Antetokounmpo. Yet, it seems that almost every team in the league will reach out to inquire about the future Hall of Famer and explore what the franchise would need to do to acquire him.
The Detroit Pistons are among the few teams that could land Antetokounmpo in a major trade. Although a deal involving him is unlikely, here are three reasons to trade for Antetokounmpo and three reasons not to from the Pistons’ perspective.
Reasons to trade for Antetokounmpo
1. A genuine difference-maker
Since his ascension to All-NBA status in 2017, Antetokounmpo has been a consistent top-five player for nearly a decade and, at times, has been regarded as the league’s best. He is a future Hall of Famer who is still playing at a high level at 31 years old and possesses the necessary skill set to keep the Pistons in championship contention year after year.
He is still arguably the best two-way player in the league, capable of significantly enhancing any team’s production each time he steps onto the floor. Since the 2016-17 season, Antetokounmpo has averaged 28.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. He would be the additional scorer and leading defensive anchor needed to improve the Pistons’ production, which hindered the team’s play during the postseason.
During that 10-year stretch, Antetokounmpo also averaged 5.8 assists, proving that he is also capable of being a secondary playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Given the injuries and ongoing drama that hampered his individual performance this past season, it’s important to note that any team that acquires Antetokounmpo could add a motivated player who still has the potential to be the best on a championship team.
2. A lethal one-two punch
The Pistons’ flameout in the second round of the playoffs proved that the team needs a second star to pair with Cade Cunningham. Jalen Duren appeared to have taken the helm as the team’s second-best player during the regular season, but his postseason performance was a testament to the fact that, even with his leap to All-NBA status, the Pistons still need someone better.
The addition of Antetokounmpo would undoubtedly provide the Pistons with a notable player who can share the team’s responsibilities with Cunningham, allowing them to alternate roles as lead and sidekick based on the matchup.
An Antetokounmpo-Cunningham pairing will create arguably the best one-two punch in the league, especially in their pick-and-roll execution, which could take Detroit’s offense to another level. The pairing of the two stars could also make the game easier for both players, as each would face fewer double- and triple-teams, potentially aiding their on-court impact.
Antetokounmpo would have easier scoring opportunities playing next to Cunningham, who would be by far the best guard he has played with in his career, thereby prolonging his prime. Cunningham would have a chance to further flourish as a playmaker and facilitator, given that he would not have to carry most of Detroit’s scoring load playing next to Antetokounmpo.
3. Undeniable championship contenders
Throughout the regular season, the general public always questioned whether the Pistons were legitimate championship contenders in the Eastern Conference. Not even winning 60 games during the regular season could fully establish their status. With Antetokounmpo on the team, all doubts would be eliminated.
For the Pistons, landing Antetokounmpo would demonstrate their commitment to contending for a championship in the coming years and, at the very least, extend that window by giving them the best chance to win the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Antetokounmpo’s presence alone would make the Pistons contenders, as they will compete each year to achieve their championship goals. Landing his services would also prevent their opponents from acquiring the two-time league MVP, making it one fewer obstacle for the Pistons to overcome in their title pursuit.
Reasons not to trade for Antetokounmpo
1. Injury concerns
Antetokounmpo is the most valuable player on the trade market this summer. But any team that trades for him must proceed with caution given the number of games he has missed due to injuries over the past four seasons. A calf injury limited Antetokounmpo to a career-low 36 games this year, and the injury has been a recurring issue since the 2023 playoffs.
Since 2019, several players across the league have dealt with persistent calf injuries and subsequently ruptured their Achilles. These injuries not only lead to extended absences but also often prevent players from returning to their previous performance levels.
The uncertainty surrounding Antetokounmpo’s health and the reasons for his lingering calf issues are the biggest red flags regarding the acquisition of the 10-time All-Star.
2. A lofty asking price
The Bucks are asking for a haul from any team willing to make a deal for Antetokounmpo, and rightfully so. Antetokounmpo is their greatest player in franchise history and can still perform at a level that keeps the general public viewing him as a top-five player at his best.
Reports have indicated that the Bucks are asking for several first-round picks and young players to build around. The Pistons have the draft picks needed, but it may be in the team’s best interest to distribute future selections in other trades to continue building depth and adding vital pieces, rather than using them all for one player.
Unless the deal includes a sign-and-trade for Duren, the Pistons might lack enough attractive young players to include in a trade. Any deal between the Bucks and Pistons would most certainly include Ausar Thompson, who’s arguably the most appealing young player on Detroit’s roster. The league’s steals champion could be a strong building block as the team rebuilds its franchise after Antetokounmpo’s departure.
Although Thompson has his flaws on the offensive end, the third-year forward established himself as one of two untouchables — joining Cunningham — due to his defensive attributes and on-court versatility.
3. A financial bind
The Pistons have been strategic in their roster-building over the past two years, taking advantage of their financial flexibility. Acquiring Antetokounmpo will come with significant financial implications.
Any team that trades for Antetokounmpo must be prepared to commit to the star forward long term. He’s eligible for a four-year, $270 million extension six months after joining his new team. With an estimated base salary of $67.5 million once the extension kicks in, the deal will catapult the Pistons into the luxury tax threshold, which could make it hard for them to build a competitive roster around Antetokounmpo and Cunningham.
It’s important to note that the extension carries another significant risk. It will begin at the start of the 2028-29 season, when Antetokounmpo will be 34 years old. The Pistons will then be paying an aging star a large sum for a contract during the decline of his career. By the time his contract ends, Antetokounmpo will be in his late 30s and likely far removed from the highly desirable star he once was.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Should Pistons trade for disgruntled Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Reporting by Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
