The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly accepting trade offers for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Raptors have a ton of assets and have been waiting for an opportunity to use those assets to make a big splash on the trade market. They will undoubtedly explore any options when it comes to the possibility of adding a Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time MVP who already led a team to a championship before.Â
But they could quickly run into a big problem, as Zach Lowe outlined on the May 14 episode of The Zach Lowe Show.Â
“Toronto has all their picks and swaps and all that and have long been sort of vaguely tied to Giannis when Masai Ujiri was there,” Lowe said. “I just don’t see any deal that Milwaukee is taking that doesn’t include Scottie Barnes, and they’re not getting Scottie Barnes.”
Scottie Barnes should be off the table in trade talks
Scottie Barnes is the face of the Toronto Raptors. He has been with the franchise for five seasons now and has grown into one of the best and most versatile defenders in the NBA, as well as a borderline All-NBA player. He also showed that he could take his scoring to another level in the playoffs when he averaged 24.1 points per game and shot 38% from three.Â
It makes sense for the Bucks to ask for a young star in return for their veteran superstar—a rebuilding or retooling process becomes much easier when you have someone to build around right away—but trading Barnes for a star who is seven years older and has had some recent injury issues just doesn’t make any sense for the Raptors. They are trying to improve the team around Barnes, not replace him.Â
Toronto has other interesting young players to offer. A fresh start may be all Gradey Dick needs to finally flourish in the NBA, Ja’Kobe Walter played incredibly well in the second half of the season, and Collin Murray-Boyles was ready for all the big moments as a rookie. But none of them are as good or established as Barnes, and the Raptors may not even be open to trading Murray-Boyles, who’s the most interesting prospect out of the trio.Â
The Raptors will also consider moving on from Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett for the right return. Both are still rather young, but older than Barnes and don’t have as high a ceiling.Â
With Barnes and probably Murray-Boyles off the table, the Raptors’ most interesting assets are their draft picks.
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