Trade speculation around Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has ramped up now that fans have noticed his social media cleanse of Bucks-related content. The Pistons are in prime position to pounce on his potential availability with a mammoth trade offer. Although the Pistons have been tied to other premier trade targets, Giannis is the true blue chip which can make them instant championship contenders.
Giannis on the Pistons would be a scary sight
It’ll take a lot to pry Giannis from the Bucks, but the Pistons can offer a huge haul. They have multiple talented young guards in Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser who have been proven non-essential to team success. Although the Pistons would prefer to keep both of them, especially Ivey, they will definitely be on the table in a trade for an MVP candidate like Giannis.
Giannis would be a perfect fit alongside Cade Cunningham. Cade has already established himself as one of the league's best young players, but he still struggles at times without a reliable second option. Giannis would be much more than a second option; he's averaging over 30 points per game. He has no problem creating his own shots, but will be even more deadly in a pick-and-roll with Cade.
Additionally, Giannis fits the physical playstyle of the Pistons perfectly. He's leading the league in paint points per game, by a large margin. He will fit in beautifully alongside the Pistons' other bruisers that dominate the paint on both ends. Giannis has been resurgent on defense this season as a rim protector, invoking flashbacks to his DPOY season.
Of course, there isn't much that the Pistons should keep out of a possible Giannis trade. Their central core of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson should be their future building blocks but everyone (and everything) else should be available. A realistic trade package for one of the league's top stars will need to include practically all their trade chips.
The Pistons can offer Tobias Harris and Caris Levert alongside the aforementioned young guards to help salaries match with Giannis and any other players the Bucks want to part with. The Pistons may end up with some of the Bucks' bad salaries, such as Bobby Portis, but it's a price well worth paying for the opportunity to pair Giannis and Cade.
Trading Giannis will kick off a rebuild for the Bucks and they will need future building blocks. On top of the young players that the Pistons can send their way, they will also need to add draft picks to sweeten the offer. It'll likely have to be a maximum pick haul, up to 4 first round picks straight-up and 4 swaps. It would certainly be a huge price, but worthwhile to acquire Giannis' services.