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[Saba Sports News] A surprising Eastern Conference team has emerged as a potential suitor for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Trade rumors have swirled around the Greek Freak since Milwaukee’s early playoff exit. With co-star Damian Lillard expected to miss the 2025–26 season due to a torn Achilles, Antetokounmpo may have more reason than ever to consider moving on from the franchise he led to a title in 2021.
While most of the recent buzz has connected Giannis to Western Conference contenders — including speculation about a possible pairing with Steph Curry in Golden State — one veteran reporter suggests a former East rival could be in the mix.
In a recent mailbag for the Toronto Star, longtime NBA reporter Doug Smith mentioned that there is reportedly “mutual interest between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors.”
Smith noted that Toronto has all of its first-round picks and could potentially put together a package featuring four of them, along with young players, to pursue the two-time MVP.
That said, Smith added that the odds of the Raptors winning a bidding war are still “long,” especially given the level of competition likely to arise if the Bucks actually put Antetokounmpo on the market.
Toronto does have intriguing assets, including All-Star Scottie Barnes, sharpshooter Gradey Dick, and versatile wings RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.
But Milwaukee would likely demand at least two of those names in any serious trade, potentially leaving the Raptors with limited firepower post-trade.
Of course, all of this depends on whether Giannis formally asks out. Based on his recent social media activity, the nine-time All-Star may still be committed to sticking it out in Milwaukee — at least for now.