Former Duke star R.J. Barrett joins the Bucks in a blockbuster trade deal involving Giannis.

Former Duke standout R.J. Barrett ends up on the Bucks in a blockbuster trade scenario that sends Giannis to the Lakers and LeBron to the Mavericks.

Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus went all-in with a wild mock trade proposal that would dramatically reshape the NBA landscape for years.

Pincus’ massive hypothetical deal has LeBron James, Bronny James, Andre Jackson Jr., Tyler Smith, and Drew Timme heading to the Dallas Mavericks. The Los Angeles Lakers would receive Giannis Antetokounmpo, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Tyrese Martin, a $4 million trade exception, and a $2 million trade exception. The Milwaukee Bucks would land RJ Barrett, PJ Washington, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, a $2 million trade exception, 2026 first-round swap rights, a 2026 Lakers second-round pick, 2028 first-round swap rights, 2030 first-round swap rights, a 2031 first-round pick, and 2032 first-round swap rights. The Toronto Raptors would get Daniel Gafford and a $13.3 million trade exception, while the Brooklyn Nets would take in Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, and Dwight Powell.

That’s a mouthful. Let’s break it down.

For Dallas, pairing LeBron with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis—two guys he’s already won with—is a masterstroke. Add in his potential mentorship of Cooper Flagg, and Mavericks GM Nico Harrison would be a legend in Dallas if this came true.

Telling anyone after the Luka Doncic trade in February that Harrison would be seen as a “hero” months later would’ve sounded ridiculous.

The Lakers come out huge in this one. Giannis and Luka form a scary duo, perhaps the most dangerous pick-and-roll threat ever seen.

Barrett as the Bucks’ main prize, plus just one fully-owned first-rounder, is a massive underachievement for their front office. That alone makes the deal hard to justify.

Still, it’s a fascinating scenario to imagine unfolding.