How The Spurs’ Lottery Luck Could Fetch Them Giannis Antetokounmpo

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 08: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Victor ... More Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on January 08, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) The San Antonio Spurs may not have won Monday’s NBA Draft Lottery, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t walk away as winners. After being awarded the second overall selection of the draft, the Spurs can now begin to gather an enormous trade package, which they can offer to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, in order to pair with budding superstar Victor Wembanyama. Dylan Harper is the real deal Projected to get selected second in the draft is Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, a left-handed lead-guard who is big, strong, productive, and oozes potential. At 6’6, and at 220 pounds, Harper can get into the teeth of the defense, where he can make plays for both himself and teammates. His 5.8 free throw attempts also signals a scoring avenue which he can rely on at the professional level. There’s a James Harden element to his game. He’s patient, is able to create something out of thin air, and his 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game almost appears as less than what he’s capable of, even if his three-point shooting (33.3%) is currently a bit pedestrian. Harper would be the crown jewel of a major trade package San Antonio can offer Milwaukee. What else could be included? The Spurs have plenty of incoming draft selections, including a 2027 first-round selection which is unprotected via Atlanta, which could get juicy. As for salary-matching, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Harrison Barnes does the trick. Presumably, due to the Spurs jumping up on the lottery, the organization can retain this season’s Rookie Of the Year, Stephon Castle. (Or, alternatively, they can tell the Bucks to pick between Castle and Harper.) That’s a huge trade package in which the Bucks receive either the most recent Rookie Of the Year winner, or the second overall pick, an unprotected pick, and key role players in Vassell, Sochan, and an expiring contract in Barnes. Perhaps the Oklahoma City Thunder can beat that if they wish, but they might also be forced to include Chet Holmgren or Jalen Williams in a deal to get it done, which is likely something they have no interest in. At the very least, this gives the Spurs multiple options as they move forward. Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com , PBPStats , Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference . All salary information via Spotrac . All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook . Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2025/05/12/how-the-spurs-lottery-luck-could-fetch-them-giannis-antetokounmpo/