Portland Trail Blazers: Evaluating three trades for Giannis Antetokounmpo

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 04: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball during the third quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at the Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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Giannis and Ersan Ilyasova for Jusuf Nurkic, Trent, Trevor Ariza and two firsts

Jusuf Nurkic and Gary Trent Jr. would be the key components of this trade, this would give the Bucks a younger core to move forward with.

By dumping Ersan Ilyasova‘s contract, the Bucks would also clear some important cap space as they looked to rebuild with Giannis’ departure.

The departure of Giannis would likely signal moves like the trading of Brook Lopez or Eric Bledsoe. This would be a mini rebuild, or a pivot.

In Nurkic, they would have a modern two-way player who could initiate offense for shooters like Middleton and Donte Divincenzo. He could be the longterm center for this team while moving Lopez and Bledsoe to get another shot creator next to Middleton.

By adding Gary Trent Jr., the Bucks would also get a two-way player who could be part of the next great Bucks team. His defense alongside Nurkic would mean the Bucks would stay competitive on this end of the floor.

They would also add two first-round picks, which could either be used to select a shot-creating guard in the draft, or packaged with someone like Lopez to bring back a difference-maker.

The Blazers would need to guarantee Trevor Ariza‘s contract to make this work, but the Bucks could then flip Ariza again later in the year, or have him as a useful piece in a playoff run.

The Blazers would likely waive Ersan, but this return would mean the Blazers had a big three of CJ, Dame and Giannis. This trio would mean the Blazers would be elite on both ends, while make them an instant finals contender.