Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Toronto Raptors reportedly have "mutual interest" following previous reports that he's "open-minded" about exploring potential trade fits, the Toronto Star's Doug Smith reported on Monday (June 2).

"I don’t know if it will happen but I do know there is mutual interest between Antetokounmpo, 30, and the Raptors. The wild card is the cost," Smith said during his mailbag column. "But I also think the Raptors are uniquely placed to make an attractive offer that won’t ruin their franchise or roster."

Smith clarified that the odds are "long" that the Raptors would outbid other teams interested in Antetokounmpo as the Bucks don't control their first-round draft pick until 2031 and would need a combination of draft capital and young players in exchange for the two-time NBA MVP.

Earlier this month, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo was "open-minded" about exploring potential trade fits, according to league sources.

"Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has not made any firm decisions, but for the first time in his career, he is open-minded about whether his best fit is remaining in Milwaukee – or playing elsewhere, league sources told ESPN," Charania wrote on his X account.

The Bucks have been approached about the availability of Antetokounmpo for several years and will likely entertain those talks when the NBA Scouting Combine takes place, the sources confirmed. Antetokounmpo, who is signed through at least the next two seasons, is coming off a season in which he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists while shooting 60% from the field during the regular season, as well as 33.0 points, 15.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists during the postseason, despite the Bucks' being eliminated in five games to the Indiana Pacers.

The Bucks are four years removed from winning the 2021 NBA championship and haven't made it past the first round in each of the last three seasons.

"Me not having a second championship -- I look back at my career and everybody can say, 'Oh, incredible career, active Hall of Famer, first ballot, whatever.' But me, my personal goal, if I am not able to help my team win a second ring, I'm letting down myself," Antetokounmpo said during an appearance with his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo's podcast last month.

Bill Handel