NBA Trade Rumor: Giannis Would Pair Up With Jokic in Proposed Blockbuster

Could we be looking at a potential pairing up of the NBA MVPs in five of the last seven seasons? The latest rumor has a blockbuster deal being proposed that would team up 3-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the Nuggets.

Safe to say that that duo together would be unstoppable. 

But is it even a possibility? 

We do know that the Milwaukee Bucks are now this close to finally trading Giannis. Insider Chris Mannix says "At some point in the next couple of months, Giannis is going to go. (Milwaukee Bucks co-owner) Jimmy Haslam said in an interview that this will most likely be resolved before the Draft. So by the end of June, we're probably going to have a resolution with Giannis."

Ok, so we're halfway there. Now, about the Denver part of this. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report has proposed an offer that could make sense for both sides. 

Nuggets Receive: 

• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Kyle Kuzma

Bucks Receive: 

• Jamal Murray
• Aaron Gordon
• 2026 first-round pick
• 2031 first-round pick swap
• 2026 second-round pick (via Atlanta)

That would be one hefty haul for Milwaukee. They'd get to remain somewhat competitive with a star-level scorer in Murray, an elite finisher and defender in Gordon AND an immediate first-round pick. 

For the Bucks, Bailey says that Gordon would be "a pretty obvious fit next to Myles Turner's three-point shooting."

Bailey admits, however, from Denver's side, that giving up Gordon, "Mr. Nugget", would be a tough pill to swallow. We'd also add that all of the intangibles they'd be losing, from his basketball IQ, to his all-around defense to his versatility, and his great connection with The Joker, would also be lost.

But for the Nuggets, it would be hard to pass up pairing Jokic with The Greek Freak. "His ability to score at and above the rim would force defenses inside, creating room for Jokić to operate from the high post or perimeter. Jokić's prowess from 15 feet and out, in turn, would make it impossible to double Giannis inside," writes Bailey.

That duo would be one of—if not the greatest—pairing in NBA history. It would be must-watch viewing on a nightly basis, and, if the Nuggets re-sign Peyton Watson and find themselves a legit point guard to replace Murray, it's a team that could even challenge the OKC Thunder and San Antonio Spurs for dominance in the Western Conference.

Photo: © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images