Thirty games into the season, the Milwaukee Bucks are in trouble. Sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference, they might be on the edge of losing their star, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Earlier in December, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Greek Freak and his agent would discuss his future with the Bucks. Meanwhile, PFSN writer Brandon Austin suggested that the Toronto Raptors emerged as a potential landing spot for the 31-year-old. However, not everyone believes Toronto should chase a blockbuster move, with former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins urging the franchise to pivot toward a more realistic target instead.

However, ex-NBA champ, Kendrick Perkins, wants the Canadian side to drop their Giannis dreams. In his recent conversation with Richard Jefferson & Co. on The Road Trippin podcast, Big Perk suggested the Raptors go after the Lakers $53 million guard, Austin Reaves, who is currently playing on a four-year, $53 million contract signed in 2023.

“I will wait, if I’m Toronto. Well, I’m trying to get Austin Reaves this offseason. I’m trying to go get Austin Reaves,” Perkins said. Simply put, the now-NBA analyst wants the Raptors to let go of Giannis Antetokounmpo and choose Reaves.

Currently, Reaves is averaging 27.3 ppg, 5.4 rebs, and 6.5 asts. He has emerged as the best second guard for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Previously, the Lakers had offered Reaves a four-year, $89.2 million extension, which he turned down before later signing his current four-year, $53 million deal. Betting on himself, the 27-year-old now has a $14.8 million player option on the table. Besides, the Toronto Raptors don’t have enough cap space to trade for Reaves or for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Raptors’ financials for the 2025-26 campaign paint a tight picture. Guaranteed deals climb to $188.4 million, pushing the books $41.8 million past usable space and barely $536k over the tax line. With league markers hovering between 188 and 195 million, the Raptors float above the first apron at $194.8 million. As a result, roster maneuvering becomes heavily restricted without precise salary exits. Meanwhile, Austin Reaves checks in at $13.9 million for 2025-26, locked into a Lakers agreement through 2026-27.

For a capped-out Toronto squad, absorbing that figure demands strict matching rules, well beyond the mid-level exception range near $6.4 million. Any exchange would require multiple contracts, possibly involving Gradey Dick or Ochai Agbaji.

That financial reality is only part of the equation. The on-court risks make a Giannis trade even harder to justify.

The Raptors should avoid the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

Big swing trades have burned contenders lately, yet Giannis Antetokounmpo still demands serious boardroom debate. Especially within this version of the Eastern Conference. Still, recent history offers a warning label. A franchise must be championship-ready the moment the ink dries. Otherwise, ambition turns into aftermath.

By that strict standard, Toronto falls short right now. At their current peak, the Raptors sit closer to the middle than the summit. Scottie Barnes shines as a versatile force, though constructing a roster around his style remains complex and oddly familiar to Giannis himself.

The remaining starters contribute, yet their contracts dilute market appeal. Optimism exists around the 2025 selection, Collin Murray-Boyles, and the 2024 pick, Ja’Kobe Walter. Still, promise has not translated into elite certainty.

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If Milwaukee ever picked up the phone, Barnes would headline the demand. Seven fewer years matter. So does durability, especially with Giannis facing recurring health setbacks, including this year.

Next would come draft capital, particularly future selections beyond Giannis’ prime window. Toronto could propose Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett, Murray Boyles, and picks. That scenario leaves a flashy lineup, thin depth, and zero true centers.

This story screams patience over panic. Milwaukee feels uneasy, and Toronto feels tempted. Yet the timing feels wrong. Star chasing sounds thrilling, but context matters more. With cap restrictions tightening choices and roster balance still raising questions, even expert voices are urging restraint. Meanwhile, a smarter pivot whispers flexibility and growth. For now, dreaming smaller could protect bigger futures.