I know I just mentioned that the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors have largely been shut down recently, which is surprising, especially after a whirlwind of insiders floated various plausible destinations for the "Greek Freak" — with the optimistic Toronto Raptors right there in the mix.
But just because things have subsided for now doesn't mean there's no room for a league-rocking shock to emerge when we least expect it. I still believe Antetokounmpo will remain the darling of the summer—aside from Kevin Durant—and with that, pundits and insiders continue to assess his fit on various teams and the trade packages it would take to acquire the former champion.
ESPN recently published a new article on June 18 titled "NBA offseason 2025: 8 Giannis, Bucks trades that would shake up the league," authored by various NBA insiders, each proposing their own potential packages to facilitate a blockbuster deal.
Of course, the Toronto Raptors were listed as one of the potential teams in the running for Antetokounmpo, but the cost to add such a big name will come at a price that I know will likely divide the fanbase quite a bit. In this hypothetical offer by ESPN's Zach Kram, he highlights the following assets as the core trade package to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo:
Scottie Barnes headlines an ESPN hypothetical Giannis-Raptors trade
The abundance of draft capital is no surprise, given that we're discussing one of the premier talents in the league. If anything, this past weekend's blockbuster trade sending Desmond Bane to Orlando underscores that first-round draft picks remain the market's most coveted assets.
But it's not the future draft compensation that I think would worry fans; rather, it's the necessary inclusion of Toronto's key cornerstone, Scottie Barnes.
In previous pieces, I mentioned that Barnes could serve as an ideal bargaining chip (rather high-risk, that is) to offer Milwaukee, given his considerable upside — shooting woes not withstanding. While he may not exactly replicate what would be lost if Giannis moves on to the Six, the 23-year-old still presents as a valuable asset.
But that's just it. I don't know if, even with the championship ceiling a major acquisition like Giannis offers Toronto, many of Raptors Nation can be convinced to sacrifice such a young focal point to elevate this open title window.
Sure, there are also many who are ready to make that critical decision, and I find myself leaning toward giving the green light on this type of deal if the opportunity presents itself. These kinds of chances don't come often in the NBA, especially for a relatively black sheep franchise like the Raptors. If it means risking what Scottie Barnes could become, so be it — that's simply collateral damage for a greater good.
As I mentioned in the title, Scottie Barnes remains Toronto's top asset in a hypothetical Giannis dream scenario — a painful truth that Raptors fans would simply need to come to terms with.