Every now and then, a trade idea surfaces that’s so wild it makes you stop and think — even if it sounds impossible at first. This week’s most buzzed-about scenario in the Sixers community fits that bill perfectly: what if the Philadelphia 76ers land the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and trade Joel Embiid and that pick — likely used to draft Cooper Flagg — to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Let’s break it down.
Why This Idea Even Exists
The NBA offseason hasn’t started yet, but fans are already cooking up fantasy trades, and this one stems from two major developments:
- Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury has once again cast a dark cloud over Milwaukee’s title hopes.
- The Bucks’ consistent playoff underperformance has sparked speculation that Giannis might finally want out.
So here comes this proposal: the Sixers land the top pick and offer Joel Embiid and Cooper Flagg (in draft rights) to Milwaukee in exchange for Antetokounmpo. It sounds outrageous — and maybe it is — but it’s not without some logic.
The Case for Philadelphia
From Philly’s side, there’s a certain appeal in trading an aging superstar whose durability is increasingly in question. Embiid is still elite, but he’s also logged a worrying injury history. Swapping him out for Giannis, one of the five best players on the planet and a model of consistency, would be a bold but understandable move.
Adding Cooper Flagg into the mix complicates the deal. Flagg is being hailed as the most exciting prospect to come out of high school since LeBron James. He’s a versatile forward with elite defense, a high motor, and the kind of upside that could shift the balance of power in the league. Some scouts believe he’s a surefire franchise cornerstone.
Giving up Embiid and Flagg is a steep price, but landing Giannis provides an immediate championship window. The Greek Freak is only 30 and still in his prime. He’s more durable, a proven winner, and fits perfectly into today’s high-speed, high-switching NBA style.
However, the Sixers have to ask themselves a serious question: Are we willing to mortgage our future to maximize the next 2–3 years?
The Case for Keeping Cooper Flagg
Let’s say the Sixers land the No. 1 pick and get to draft Cooper Flagg. There’s a strong case to be made for holding onto him and building the next era around him — possibly even with Embiid still on the roster.
Even if Embiid continues to battle injuries and eventually declines, his contract would expire before Flagg needs his first max extension. That means Flagg could grow and develop as the face of the franchise without being rushed into the spotlight. And in the meantime, having Embiid could make that transition smoother, both on and off the court.
In short: Flagg gives the Sixers a new timeline, one that doesn’t require them to rush or take on win-now pressure. And if Flagg becomes the player most think he will be, that patience could pay off in the form of future championships — plural.
What’s in It for Milwaukee?
Now let’s talk about the Bucks.
If Giannis does request a trade, the offers they’ll receive won’t come close to the value of Cooper Flagg — a potential generational talent on a rookie deal. Add Joel Embiid to that equation, and you’ve got an offer that’s borderline unmatchable.
Milwaukee would still be competitive with Embiid leading the charge, and in Flagg, they’d have a long-term answer at forward who could grow into the team’s No. 1 option. It’s the rare deal that allows a team to stay relevant now while preparing for the future.
But there’s a catch. Is Milwaukee really going to give up one of the 20 greatest players of all time for:
- A prospect who hasn’t played a single NBA game?
- And one of the league’s most injury-prone superstars?
It’s a tough sell. Embiid’s contract may end up being one of the most challenging in the NBA if his injuries persist. Flagg, for all his hype, is still unproven at the pro level. The Bucks would have to gamble their future on potential — a high-ceiling, high-risk move.
The Bigger Picture: What Cooper Flagg Represents
No matter how this specific trade idea pans out, it underscores something much bigger: Cooper Flagg is already shaking up the NBA.
Teams are watching the lottery closely, hoping to land a player who could change the course of their franchise for a decade. His name carries weight — the kind of weight that puts MVPs like Embiid and superstars like Giannis into hypothetical trade talks.
He’s that good.
And even though no trade is guaranteed — or even likely — the fact that Cooper Flagg is being discussed in the same breath as Embiid and Antetokounmpo shows just how valuable he’s projected to be. Whoever lands that No. 1 pick might not just be drafting a great player — they could be securing the future of their franchise.
Final Thoughts
In the end, this fake trade scenario probably won’t happen. It’s complicated, risky, and the kind of deal that would require extreme boldness from both front offices.
But it does shine a light on a few important truths:
- Cooper Flagg is going to be the talk of the 2025 NBA Draft.
- He’s already being valued at the level of superstars and MVPs.
- And the team that lands him could suddenly be faced with franchise-altering decisions — for better or worse.
So whether you’re a Sixers fan dreaming of a Giannis-anchored superteam or someone who believes Flagg is the next big thing, one thing’s clear: Cooper Flagg is the future, and the NBA knows it.