Cavaliers explored trade for Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo before deadline, per report

“Cleveland. “The Cavaliers, league sources say, contacted the Bucks about Giannis before the deadline as well … and were told it would take Evan Mobley and all of Cleveland's available draft capital to get it done.”

“That's a trade construction that presumably would have Mobley stans scoffing, but it's a move that no shortage of rival executives I've discussed it with say they would make.”

A trade for Antetokounmpo that sounds pretty good for the Cavaliers right about now (obviously, they’d have to wait until the offseason to complete one).

Cleveland is in a 2-0 Eastern Conference Semifinals hole after failing to steal a game on the road vs. the Detroit Pistons.

Considering Mobley has been solid, but far from a needle-mover for the Cavaliers so far in the series, the Cavaliers may feel tempted to swap him for Antetokounmpo if things play out as expected (the Pistons advance to the Eastern Conference Finals).

While not the floor-spacer that Mobley has proven he’s capable of being (he shot 37% from three in 2023-24 and 2024-25), Antetokounmpo is a far more daunting presence on both ends of the floor and could prove to be the missing piece for Cleveland.

Right now, though, Cleveland's focus should be on overcoming an early second-round postseason deficit.

More NBA news:

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• Lakers-Wizards trade pitch sends $186 million 10-time All-Star, NBA champion back to Los Angeles