Giannis Antetokounmpo’s entry to the trade market is bombshell news for the NBA, but it is bad news for the Sacramento Kings.
Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania the Milwaukee Bucks are finally fielding offers for Antetokounmpo and the two-time MVP has told the team it’s time to part ways.
Antetokounmpo’s availability generated an immediate flurry of trade conversations and speculation across the league. It could have the opposite effect in Sacramento, where Kings general manager Scott Perry is hoping to reshape the roster with the Feb. 5 trade deadline fast approaching.
The Bucks have been eyeing Kings guard Zach LaVine as a trade target while looking add reinforcements around Antetokounmpo, but those talks are probably dead whether Milwaukee moves Antetokounmpo now or waits until this summer. There are no other known potential suitors for LaVine, who is earning $47.5 million this season with a $49 million player option for next season.
Antetokounmpo trade talks could gum up negotiations for other players as well, not just in Sacramento but across the league, as teams await word on the 10-time All-Star. The Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are among the teams that could make a play for Antetokounmpo.
Other teams could get involved as a facilitator in the event of a trade involving three or more teams. At this point, that might be Sacramento’s best chance of moving veterans such as LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, although other possibilities exist for Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk and Keon Ellis.
Sabonis, for instance, has been strongly linked to the Toronto Raptors in a deal that could include some combination of RJ Barrett and/or Immanuel Quickley with draft compensation. NBA inside Marc Stein has reported that as many as 14 teams are interested in Ellis.
The prospects of trading LaVine and DeRozan are much murkier for Sacramento.
LaVine, 30, averaged 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 44.6% from 3-point range last season. This season, he is averaging 19.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 39.9% from beyond the arc.
DeRozan, 36, is averaging 19.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 50.5% from the field, 33.7% from 3-point range and 87% at the free-throw line on 5.4 attempts per game. DeRozan is earning $24.8 million this season. He is owed $25.7 million next season, but only $10 million is guaranteed.
DeRozan recently told The Sacramento Bee he remains committed to helping the Kings win despite their struggles this season, but he does not dispute the notion that he would prefer a winning environment.
“For me, it’s not like I’m playing another 10 years, so you definitely want to maximize your time and give everything you’ve got left to playing for something,” DeRozan said. “I don’t think that part of it is a secret whether it’s here or wherever.”