Bucks-Nuggets trade pitch sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to Denver for $207 million All-Star, NBA champion

“Let's get something out of the way right off the bat. If the Bucks are intent on a package loaded with draft assets, the Nuggets would almost certainly be out of the running,” Bailey wrote Friday.

“There are plenty of other teams with more picks that could convince themselves they're a Giannis away from contending for a championship. But this deal would give Milwaukee a top two that would instantly put them back in the hunt for a playoff spot.”

“Murray is in the middle of his prime and likely to be announced as an All-NBA selection. Gordon could be a dynamic No. 2 alongside him and is a pretty obvious fit next to Myles Turner's three-point shooting.”

“That's a trio that, along with the still-developing Ryan Rollins, could probably muster a winning record in the East. And while Denver's 2026 first (the 26th pick) isn't super valuable, that swap in 2031 could be huge.”

Acquiring two proven veterans and three future draft picks wouldn’t be a bad return for Antetokounmpo. Murray is arguably the most valuable asset in Bailey’s hypothetical trade concept, as the elite shotmaker and playmaker would provide the Bucks with high-level stability at the point guard position moving forward.

Murray averaged 25.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game this season, shooting 48.3% from the field and 43.5% from long range on a Nuggets squad that failed to make it out of the first round of the postseason.

Simply put, the Bucks would be in solid shape in an Antetokounmpo-Murray swap scenario.

More NBA news:

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