Improbable Bucks scenario floated by NBA analyst sees Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard traded together

The Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of elimination, as they trail the Indiana Pacers 3-1, and All-Star guard Damian Lillard is out with an Achilles tear.

Unless franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo has a historic four-game stretch and the rest of the roster drastically increases production, the Bucks will be an early exit for the third consecutive year. Antetokounmpo may be fed up with falling short in Milwaukee and request a trade this offseason. If that's the case, it's safe to assume Lillard will also be on the move en route to the Bucks, beginning a full rebuild.

Considering the duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard hasn't produced much success, it feels unlikely the tandem is traded together. Still, The Ringer's Michael Pina floats it as an unlikely yet possible scenario.

"Is there any team that’d be willing to take Lillard’s contract along with Giannis? (Highly unlikely but technically possible.) There are 20 teams, at least, that will call and make their best offer," Pina wrote. "Antetokounmpo’s trade value, right now, is an escape hatch for Milwaukee from the years of misery staring them in the face."

Pina didn't list any possible destinations for the duo to be dealt to but previously listed the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder as landing spots for Antetokounmpo. Almost every organization in the NBA will pick up the phone to express interest in the two-time MVP, but the same cannot be said for Lillard.

He is a 34-year-old who is now going to be recovering from a significant injury. This combination of age and injury typically leads to substantial regression. The hope for Milwaukee is to still find some level of value for him, assuming Antetokounmpo asks out. Better yet, in Pina's case they cut ties with both at once, and Lillard simply adds extra value to the package.

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