$94.4 million. That’s how much Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly has sitting in his bank account. Yet, he chooses to shop at Target. So, if you’re ever strolling through the aisles, don’t be too surprised if you catch the Greek Freak haggling for a few discount vouchers! But maybe this “cheap” way of living says more about Giannis than we think. Talks of him getting traded out from the Bucks are growing, and while he says he is “locked in” with the Bucks, his sole aim for being on a team is to win. And what better option do you have than playing alongside Wemby in San Antonio for a title run?

Danny Green answered the “If I was Giannis” question and gave a pretty bold take. His top pick? “The San Antonio Spurs and playing with Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, De’Aaron Fox, who I don’t know if they’ll be able to keep all of them, but if you want to win, and I know it’s in the West, but you need to be playing with the San Antonio Spurs, that atmosphere. And of course, Giannis likes to keep his money, less taxes in Texas. I know he likes to be cheap.”

Wembanyama has already played two seasons for the Spurs, averaging 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.7 blocks in 117 regular-season games. In the preseason game on Monday, as per analysts, Wemby even channeled Giannis in his offense, leading the team to a 119–88 win. So yeah, it would be pretty interesting to see Giannis play alongside a younger version of himself.

The 3x NBA champ didn’t just talk about why Giannis should go to San Antonio; he broke down how it would actually help the Spurs too. According to him, “they do have to give up a good amount, but they still get to keep a lot.” And it looks like he’s not alone.

ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks also named the Spurs, along with the Houston Rockets, as one of the few team that could really put a tempting offer to the Bucks if Giannis hits the market. Marks even pointed out that San Antonio still holds valuable trade assets, including the Atlanta pick, a 2027 swap, and movable contracts like Devin Vassell. 

Backing that up, salary-cap expert Yossi Gozlan from The Third Apron newsletter explained that the Spurs are in a perfect financial position to pull this off. He mentioned they’re well below the first apron, meaning they could use the 125% expanded trade exception to match Giannis’ massive $54.1 million salary by sending out just $43.1 million. 

Players like Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Keldon Johnson could help balance that out. With up to four first-round picks to trade (2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032) plus multiple pick swaps and a flexible roster, GM Brian Wright has more options than most teams in the league.

A player trade could also be on the table, and Athlon Sports came up with one that might work for both sides. They suggested sending Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent Jr. to the Spurs, while the Bucks would receive Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, and multiple first-round picks in return.

Is Giannis Antetokounmpo really staying loyal to Milwaukee?

“I want to be in a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship.” And that’s why he’s still choosing to stay with the Bucks—the team that helped him lift the title in 2021.

But lately, three straight first-round playoff exits have raised serious questions about the Bucks’ future. Cue the trade rumors. Still, the franchise seems determined to keep Giannis happy, reshaping the roster around him instead of moving on. Within a year, they saw Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Pat Connaughton depart, while new faces like Myles Turner, Gary Harris, Cole Anthony, Amir Coffey, and a re-signed Kevin Porter Jr. joined the lineup.

Among the trade chatter, the New York Knicks stood out as a serious contender for Giannis. Reports from Shams Charania suggested they were the only team to have direct talks with the Bucks about a possible deal. But things quickly fell apart. The player who drew the most attention during these talks? Jalen Brunson. The Knicks made it clear that Brunson was completely off-limits.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst pointed out, “The Bucks’ intention and Giannis’ intention is to make the best of this season.” He added, “The East [Conference] is not strong, the Bucks could make their move.” 

It’s not far-fetched to expect the Bucks to exhaust every option to keep their franchise cornerstone- the superstar who brought championship glory to Milwaukee- rooted in the small-market city. Antetokounmpo has long expressed how much small markets mean to him. His situation isn’t about loyalty; it’s about longevity. With age and injuries gradually stacking up, and league-wide competition only intensifying, Giannis understands the stakes better than ever.

After two seasons sharing the load with fellow All-NBA talent Damian Lillard, Milwaukee appears ready to test its final card: “Point Giannis.” The plan is to put the ball in his hands as the primary creator- a shift that could redefine their offense despite Giannis already posting a 30.5 PER and 35.2% usage rate last season. As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted, this season could be the ultimate litmus test for Giannis’ long-term future in Milwaukee.

If the “Point Giannis” experiment works, it could dramatically alter Milwaukee’s standing- potentially turning their +7000 title odds (17th-best, per Fox Sports) into one of the season’s biggest surprises. But with just two years remaining on his contract, the margin for error is razor-thin.

As Windy pointed out, “He [Giannis] would have some control, and part of me believes— the reason he didn’t go full bore into the trade demand this summer, where he sort of sat around and didn’t make noise about it in June and July. And didn’t make a move until August was because he knew he would have much control next year.” 

Fans adore him, and trading him even for a superstar like Giannis would have sparked chaos. While the cleanest possible swap: Brunson and Josh Hart for Giannis, technically works under the salary cap, it’s a non-starter. The Knicks won’t part with Brunson, and the Bucks aren’t looking for veterans; they want young players and picks to build for the future.

That’s why a mid-season trade for Antetokounmpo and his massive $54.1 million salary seems nearly impossible not just with the Knicks, but for any team.

The real drama could unfold next offseason when Milwaukee can offer him a four-year, $260 million extension. If Giannis decides to turn it down, the entire league will start buzzing.

And given his own words, “Now, if in six, seven months, I change my mind, I think that’s human too. You’re allowed to make any decision you want,”  fans should be ready. If he ever chooses to walk away, it won’t be a shocker.