With the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, and in honor of the one-year anniversary of the Luka Dončić trade that shocked the sports world, we weigh in on the blockbuster deals we’d like to see this year.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Warriors
Tom Haberstroh: This would be the most “Light Years” move by Dubs owner Joe Lacob. He’s reportedly a huge believer in Jonathan Kuminga and I’m starting to think that the plan all along was to pair him with Wisconsin-native Brandin Podziemski and eventually move them to Milwaukee in a Giannis trade. Stephen Curry has shown no signs of slowing down and the team has to do right by “30.”
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Giannis could extend Steph’s window, in which case they’d fill the Chase Center for the next half-decade. He’s worth going all in. Going to Milwaukee would be Jimmy Butler, Kuminga and Podziemski with four first-round picks — 2026, 2028 (top-20 protected), 2030 and 2032 — and three pick swaps. Winning a title with four different Curry iterations would be iconic. Who else are you going to get with these first-round picks?
On the Milwaukee side, if they can’t pry away the Super First from Atlanta (most favorable of NOP and MIL) or get back the Portland picks from the ill-fated Damian Lillard deal, the Warriors’ draft package may be the most attractive on the market. Butler’s expiring 2026-27 contract could be then flipped this summer for more long-term assets if need be.
Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Pistons
Kelly Iko: If you would have told me on opening night that the Pistons would hold a 5.5-game lead over the Eastern Conference by February with two All-Stars in Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, I’d have asked what trade they made along the way. Detroit’s rapid rise has been such an awesome storyline this season, but why stop there? If there was ever a time to be an aggressive front office and bolster a team’s chances of playing deep into May and June, now is that time.
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Let’s make a phone call to Atlanta, which has been wading in water since Trae Young was dealt to Washington (the Hawks are just 5-6 since Jan. 10.) On paper, this is an awkward, ill-fitting assemblage of talent. Having made the play-in tournament two years in a row (congrats?), the appeal of a meaningless game should be lower down the priority list for Atlanta than, say, for the red-hot Hornets.
Johnson is the clear standout, a dynamic All-Star forward who fits Detroit’s timeline, capable of operating as an offensive hub or as the league’s best No. 2 option. The tandem with Cunningham would be menacing. The addition of Alexander-Walker, a bona fide floor spacer and versatile defender — and improving shot creator — is just the icing on the cake and would punch Detroit’s Finals ticket.
Under the current CBA, packaging Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson, along with three first-round picks and two swaps, works. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks asked for more draft compensation given Johnson’s age, trajectory and current talent level. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Atlanta just hung up the phone. But a Cunningham/Duncan Robinson/Alexander-Walker/Johnson/Duren core has championship written all over it.
Lauri Markkanen to the Pistons
Nekias Duncan: You know how a niche segment of NBA Twitter (tugs collar nervously) tried to practically will an Anfernee Simons-to-Orlando trade into existence? What if we do that on a larger scale and (finally) get Markkanen to Detroit?
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Detroit has an All-Star duo, plenty of defense around it and a quality head coach in J.B. Bickerstaff pressing most of the right buttons. (Seriously, him implementing as many middle flashes into the second half of possessions, going back to last year, was the precursor to Jalen Duren making his offensive leap this year. And that’s just one example.)
What this team needs is high-volume shooting, and Markkanen (career 37% on 6.9 attempts from 3) fits the bill, giving Detroit yet another movement element into their half-court attack while maintaining size up front. (In this deal, the Pistons would send Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, Ron Holland II and Bobi Klintman to Utah; the Jazz would also include Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk).
There’s room to argue, in light of Keyonte George’s breakout, that Ivey may be better served heading to a third team instead of Utah — but I’d at least pick up the phone if I was Brooklyn (could one of these teams snag Cam Thomas?), Chicago (Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu), or Sacramento (grab a vet or some pick equity) for example. Utah would likely want at least a first and a swap on top of the player package since they’ve largely signaled they don’t want to move off Markkanen. I’d be willing to oblige if I’m Detroit — this is an All-Star who enhances your other All-Stars while being on their timeline.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Trail Blazers
Steve Jones: Part of the thinking here is: Should the Bucks make the trade now or in the offseason? I’m of the ilk that there is no better time than now. The offseason may have improved offers, but that could come with a quick auto-reply of a “list of preferred trade destinations” — and who loves that?
So, how many teams are saying, “Yes, we should do this right now”? The Spurs are near the top of the West, the Knicks are near the top of the East, the Celtics are contending without Jayson Tatum. Cleveland and Philly are in some form of, “I’m not sure how, but I think we’re OK.” Orlando already did the “hey, here are our picks” move. The Suns just got out of the star business. The Wolves are in “we would love to chat” territory. Now you’re staring at Miami and Golden State, which continue to press the “you know you want to do it” button. And I doubt Atlanta has a desire to give Jalen Johnson in return.
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Which leads me to: What if Milwaukee just called Portland, asked for as many young pieces as it could and its picks back (and more picks) and called it a day? Be honest, how would you process the (unlikely) scenario of Portland ending up with Giannis, Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday?
Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Knicks
Ben Rohrbach: Listen, Giannis wants a trade. He reportedly prefers the Knicks. A happy Giannis is the best Giannis. So, why not make this happen (if not for the fact that the Knicks have no draft assets to trade)? How much fun would it be to see Giannis in Madison Square Garden? They respect the grind in New York, and nobody grinds harder than Giannis. Pair him with Jalen Brunson, and I think it works out better than his partnership with Damian Lillard, if only because Brunson is squarely in the prime of his career.
The Knicks would have to give up a) Karl-Anthony Towns, b) one or both of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby and/or c) enough matching salary to make a deal work, or to get enough picks from a third team to make a deal work. With Giannis, Brunson, Josh Hart and whoever else is left over, I think that’s enough to contend. Even if it isn’t, enough people would eventually want to join them in New York to bolster their chances.
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I honestly believe Antetokounmpo could take the Knicks over the top, ending a half-century title drought, just as he did in Milwaukee. And there’s nothing in the NBA like when New York is rolling. Imagine if they actually win. MSG will be a madhouse in the best possible way, and Giannis could rightfully stamp himself as a pantheon player, someone who carried two separate franchises on his back and took them to the promised land. That’s LeBron-like stuff.
