The NBA would collapse after this Bucks-Warriors transaction, creating a new superteam.

Both the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks are seasoned competitors who have just finished unimpressive campaigns. The Dubs failed to even make it to the Western Conference playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP-caliber regular season helped Milwaukee finish as the third seed, but the team’s first-round loss to the Indiana Pacers raised serious concerns about the team’s future.

This Bucks club was supposed to be elevated by Damian Lillard. He left his mark, but he was clearly declining and his ailments were a continual. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, two more of Milwaukee’s key players, are likewise struggling. Despite Giannis’ advanced age of 29, these championship opportunities close quickly. If the Bucks don’t perform up to Boston and the other elite teams in the Eastern Conference this season, he might become irritated.

NBA insider Marc Stein claims that teams throughout the league are harboring “wishful thinking” in the hopes that Giannis may choose to push his way out. Although Giannis’ contract expires in 2026–2027, he has the reputation to find a new team in the event that the Bucks collapse. Although Giannis has a deep fondness for Milwaukee, he has purposefully kept the door open for him to leave should his personal goals no longer line up with the Bucks’ competitive schedule.

With so much proven talent, it’s too soon to write the Bucks off as a contender. However, Doc Rivers is a coach who is always underappreciated, could be headed for a full-blown collapse right now, and the Bucks’ supporting group is woefully thin on young, rotation-caliber players to develop and build around in the long run. Following the deal, Milwaukee lost all of its draft picks, and cap space is now a thing of the past. Their ability to significantly enhance the roster is constrained. So, Giannis might become restless after just one more poor season—or half a season—that ends poorly.

Golden State enters the picture here. The summer was devoted to the Warriors’ futile attempts to acquire All-Star caliber wing players. Giannis is a true two-time MVP, but Paul George and Lauri Markkanen finally proven to be too expensive for the front office to tolerate. He is superior to everyone else. If Giannis becomes available, there won’t be any palm wringing about not including Jonathan Kuminga in the transaction.

This is what would be required in order to bring Antetokounmpo to the Bay.