Best Trades and Landing Spots for Giannis | Real Ones

Summary of Best Trades and Landing Spots for Giannis | Real Ones

by The Ringer

59m•January 31, 2026
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Overview of Best Trades and Landing Spots for Giannis | Real Ones

This episode of The Ringer’s Real Ones (hosts Logan Murdoch and Raja Beldar) runs a full “what-if” trade exercise: they imagine Giannis Antetokounmpo being trade‑marketed to all other NBA teams and answer two repeat questions for each—(1) How long until that team becomes a contender with Giannis? and (2) How confident are they that the front office can actually build that contender? The conversation is jokey, speculative, and rooted in roster fit, timelines, and the value of draft capital—plus a recurring theme that Milwaukee would likely wait and instigate a bidding war.

Key takeaways

  • Teams already built around a star (Boston, Denver, Golden State, Minnesota) would become contenders fastest—often immediate or within a year.
  • Young/core rebuilds (Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, San Antonio, Houston, Miami, Indiana) could become competitive in ~1–3 years, depending on complementary pieces and front‑office competence.
  • Some fits are poor stylistically or practically (Brooklyn, Oklahoma City, Portland) and would take much longer—or are unlikely.
  • Milwaukee’s leverage: many teams are low on draft capital, so Milwaukee will likely wait for the best package; draft lottery outcomes will materially change offers.
  • Injury/timing: Giannis is noted as being out 4–6 weeks with a calf issue, which affects short‑term playoff ambitions for any acquiring team.

Highlights by team (selected, concise)

  • Boston Celtics

    • Hypothetical package: picks + role players.
    • Time to contender: essentially immediate (joke about flight time).
    • Confidence in FO: very high; staff/coach fit is excellent.

  • Golden State Warriors

    • Offer possibility: multiple future firsts, veteran pieces.
    • Time to contender: ~1 year; hosts trust Steve Kerr and the front office to integrate Giannis.
    • Note: Warriors and other teams might wait until after the draft; Golden State’s asset flexibility (Kuminga, picks) matters.

  • Denver Nuggets

    • Hypothetical: Jokic + Giannis = instant top team.
    • Time to contender: already there; immediate.
    • Fit caveat: stylistic questions (who gives up ball/shot volume), but talent overwhelms concerns.

  • Minnesota Timberwolves

    • Pairing Giannis with Antetokounmpo/Anthony Edwards/Rudy Gobert scenario discussed.
    • Time to contender: immediate; hosts rated them already contenders with the addition.
    • Confidence: high—would be one of the most threatening combos.

  • San Antonio Spurs

    • Hypothetical: package centered on youth + picks.
    • Time to contender: now / 1 year.
    • Confidence: yes—hosts surprisingly bullish on Spurs FO and upside.

  • Houston Rockets

    • Hypothetical: Jabari Smith Jr. + picks.
    • Time to contender: 1 year (maybe 1–2); need ball‑handling/shooting around stars.
    • Confidence: moderate to high if they add secondary playmakers.

  • Miami Heat

    • Hypothetical: Tyler Herro, picks, and others.
    • Time to contender: ~2 years; culture and coaching fit for Giannis.
    • Confidence: high (trusted FO/culture).

  • Detroit Pistons

    • Hypothetical: Cade-related package + multiple picks.
    • Time to contender: quickly (hosts excited about pick‑and‑roll fit with Cade).
    • Confidence: medium; timeline depends on surrounding vet additions.

  • Cleveland Cavaliers

    • Hypothetical: Evan Mobley + picks.
    • Time to contender: hosts liked the fit—could be fast, confident in front office (Koby Altman).

  • Brooklyn Nets

    • Hypothetical: many picks/MPs but questionable fit.
    • Time to contender: long (outside Giannis’ prime window).
    • Confidence: low; hosts skeptical Brooklyn could assemble coherent supporting cast quickly.

  • Oklahoma City Thunder

    • Hypothetical: Hartenstein, Dort, etc.
    • Verdict: hosts said “no thank you”—don’t trade for Giannis at cost to keep core (Shai/Chet/Shea).

  • Philadelphia 76ers (host Logan’s pitch)

    • Hypothetical: Paul George + picks for Giannis.
    • Time to contender: ~1 year; hosts liked pairing Giannis with Maxey.
    • Note: Joel Embiid was not part of the hypothetical in the episode.

  • Toronto Raptors

    • Hypothetical: Scottie Barnes is untouchable; could offer Brandon Ingram + picks.
    • Time to contender: ~2 years.
    • Confidence: moderate—would be a strong, modern two‑way pairing.

  • Portland, Sacramento, New York, Chicago, Memphis, Utah, Washington

    • Generally: either poor fits, would take multiple years, or hosts expressed low confidence (portfolios often too light or stylistically awkward).

Patterns in time-to-contend and FO confidence

  • Immediate-to-1 year: Boston, Denver, Golden State, Minnesota, Cleveland (given certain packages).
  • 1–2 years: Houston, Phoenix, Toronto, Detroit, Miami (depending on complementary additions).
  • 2–4 years: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Memphis, Indiana—young cores that need maturation and veteran support.
  • Low confidence/long timeline or bad fit: Brooklyn, OKC, Portland, Sacramento—either poor roster fit or teams would gutted without clear plan.

Notable insights & quotes

  • Hosts repeatedly emphasize that Milwaukee will try to “start a bidding war” and likely wait for the draft/lottery to maximize haul.
  • Jokic + Giannis: “people would fall over themselves” — talent-wise it’s irresistible, but fit and ball distribution are real questions.
  • Golden State’s emotional state around Giannis rumors: “the Bay needs a hug” — fans are desperate and anxious.
  • Raja’s running humor: “however long it takes to get from Milwaukee to Boston” to illustrate how quickly Boston could be a contender.

Best landing‑spot candidates (episode’s top picks)

  • Boston Celtics — immediate contender; top confidence.
  • Denver Nuggets — immediate; elite two‑big talent.
  • Golden State Warriors — 1 year; trusted coaching/FO.
  • Minnesota Timberwolves — immediate; already near contention.
  • San Antonio Spurs — surprisingly strong pick: immediate/short timeline with trusted FO.
  • Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat — solid medium‑term fits (1–2 years).

What to watch next (actionable)

  • Trade deadline activity / whether Milwaukee entertains offers now or waits for draft/lottery results.
  • Teams with tradable young stars + picks (Golden State, Spurs, Wolves) and whether they push aggressively.
  • Giannis’ calf recovery timeline (4–6 weeks mentioned) — impacts playoff outcomes if a trade happens now.
  • How coaches would reallocate ball usage in pairings like Jokic+Giannis or Giannis+Booker.

Episode extras

  • Sponsors/ads woven through the episode (Scout Motors, AMC+, Spectrum Business, Whole Foods, Two Good & Company).
  • Real One of the Week picks:
    • Novak Djokovic (tennis — big comeback win at Australian Open).
    • Shonda Rhimes (Bridgerton season praise).

This episode is a blend of serious roster analysis and playful hypotheticals—useful for a quick sense of which franchises would benefit fastest from Giannis and which front offices the hosts trust to turn any megadeal into a genuine title threat.