The Toronto Raptors chased Giannis Antetokounmpo for over a decade, but when the Milwaukee Bucks finally traded the two-time NBA MVP late Monday night, the Raptors were not involved. Instead, Antetokounmpo was sent to the Miami Heat in exchange for a package loaded with draft picks and young players, bypassing Boston's offer of Jaylen Brown and picks.
Details of the Trade
The Bucks selected Miami's offer over Boston's, which included Jaylen Brown, who finished sixth in MVP voting this past season. The Heat sent Tyler Herro, promising big man Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis, along with multiple draft picks, to Milwaukee. The deal also brought Bobby Portis to Miami.
Antetokounmpo's departure ends a long-standing divorce saga. He had tried to avoid being cast as a villain due to his love for Milwaukee and its fans, but his frustration with management ultimately led to the trade. He now joins a Heat team that finished three games behind the Raptors last season.
Impact on the Toronto Raptors
The trade significantly strengthens Miami, which now boasts a fearsome frontcourt duo of Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. However, the Heat lost depth and shooting, with Herro, Ware, Jaquez, and Jakucionis gone. Miami still retains Norman Powell (if re-signed), Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, Bobby Portis, Nikola Jovic, and Pelle Larsson. This gives them a strong defensive starting lineup and a solid bench, making them a tougher challenger in the Eastern Conference.
For the Raptors, the immediate impact is a more competitive East. But there is a potential silver lining: the Bucks now have an interesting but flawed roster and may look to make follow-up moves. One candidate is Myles Turner, who came to Milwaukee in a previous deal for Damian Lillard. Turner, a proven floor stretcher (38% from three last season) and rim protector, could be a target for Toronto.
Potential Trade for Myles Turner
Turner's fit with the Raptors is intriguing. He would complement Scottie Barnes or Collin Murray-Boyles with his shooting, while they cover his rebounding deficiencies. However, Toronto would need to give up assets. The Bucks might ask for the Raptors' 19th pick in Tuesday's draft, or players like Ja'Kobe Walter or Jamal Shead. A more palatable offer could include next year's first-round pick (considered a weak draft), Gradey Dick, and a future second-round pick. Toronto would have to weigh Turner's value against his contract and injury history.
History of Toronto's Pursuit of Giannis
Raptors president Masai Ujiri was aware of Giannis before he entered the NBA, even advising his family on moving from Nigeria to Greece. Ujiri desperately tried to trade into the 2013 draft to select him, but the deal fell through when the Thunder chose Steven Adams. Later, Toronto positioned itself for a potential free-agent signing or trade, but Giannis signed a five-year extension with Milwaukee in 2020. The closest the Raptors came to acquiring him was when Milwaukee reportedly asked for Scottie Barnes, but Ujiri refused.
Now, the Giannis-to-Toronto ship has sailed, at least for the foreseeable future. But the Raptors may still benefit from the trade by targeting Turner or other Bucks players. Meanwhile, Ujiri, now running the Dallas Mavericks, could potentially reunite with Giannis after his Heat tenure ends.
According to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, the Raptors will be impacted by the deal in several ways, including facing a stronger Miami team and possibly exploring a trade with Milwaukee for Myles Turner.
