Things have been mostly quiet in Milwaukee since CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter reported late last month that “teams are circling—and hopeful” that Giannis Antetokounmpo could force his way out. It would take that kind of demand for anything to happen, though, as the Bucks seemingly wouldn’t consider moving their franchise face unless he forced the issue.

That said, NBA insider Marc Stein more recently added that “whispers have begun to percolate” about the Houston Rockets potentially making a “down-the-road” push for the two-time MVP.

Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Isaiah Hartenstein (trade-eligible on Dec. 15), Cason Wallace, Nikola Topić, Jaylin Williams, 2025 first-round pick (lottery-protected, via MIA), 2026 first-round pick (via OKC, HOU or LAC), 2027 first-round pick (top-five protected, via DEN) and 2029 first-round pick

While a blockbuster trade would be out of character for Oklahoma City, any conversation about the best player on the market feels like it should start with the team holding the deepest collection of trade assets. The Thunder have so many trade chips they can add to this list of picks and prospects and still not really disrupt the rotation or empty the cupboard.

Antetokounmpo would slide into the Sooner State and immediately slot into a 1A-1B type partnership with fellow MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City would have true “Big Four” potential with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren still nowhere near their respective peaks, plus there would be sufficient depth around this quartet. As uncharacteristically aggressive as this feels for the Thunder, even they might concede that this could unlock legitimate dynasty potential.

Should the Bucks ever reach the point of needing to move Antetokounmpo, they’d certainly have to see it as a self-destruction and immediately prioritize building up their next core. Wallace, Topić and Williams are all 22 and under, and while Hartenstein might be a touch too old for a youth movement (26), Milwaukee shouldn’t have trouble sniffing out a separate deal to convert him into more roster-building assets.

Because the Thunder’s pick collection is so strong, the specifics (and even the quantity) of the selections listed here almost don’t matter. The Bucks might ask for different or additional draft picks or swaps, but for now, that’s four future firsts with light or no protections, as the 2025 pick from the Miami Heat becomes unprotected in 2026 if it doesn’t convey.