Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is still the epicenter of this year's NBA trade rumors.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is still the epicenter of this year's NBA trade rumors.
The Milwaukee Bucks kept Giannis Antetokounmpo past the trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean his future is confirmed. More reports have claimed that Milwaukee still expects to move Antetokounmpo in the offseason and that they may even sit him out for the rest of the season to prioritize his health. Many teams will still have interest, especially since most elite talents get traded after the season ends and everyone has more assets.
Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that three teams will have Giannis’ strongest interest once the trade talks pick up in the summer. The New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers are the three teams that Antetokounmpo reportedly would most want to join. All three teams play in big markets and have been rumored to view Giannis as their dream targets at different times.
Miami was considered the most likely of the three teams to have a chance at adding Antetokounmpo this season. New York has been Antetokounmpo’s first rumored choice since reports of him desiring a move last summer. The Lakers have been holding out hope that they could get a better chance at adding Giannis in the offseason with more flexibility.
This Giannis News Most Helps Lakers
Most pundits made it clear that the Lakers had no viable path towards acquiring Antetokounmpo at this season’s trade deadline unless they moved Austin Reaves. Los Angeles views Reaves as a major part of the future and a second star on the roster to keep with Luka Doncic.
Many feel this is the final season of LeBron James with the Lakers, so his contract will come off the books one way or another once he hits free agency this summer. Los Angeles’ front office will have a chance to add Giannis or another major player if they have the cap space and movable contracts to trade for a big name.
Today’s underrated move of trading Gabe Vincent for Luke Kennard helps their flexibility to make the summer quite interesting. The Lakers will be star hunting to build a new roster around Doncic, and Antetokounmpo stands out as the most exciting name on the market.
Miami & New York Could Get Giannis
The Heat didn’t make any big moves ahead of the trade deadline to keep the current roster as a secondary Eastern Conference playoff team. Reporters have claimed that Miami wants to see if this roster can make any noise in the playoffs, but they clearly have a shorter ceiling.
This upcoming offseason will see the Heat active in talks involving Giannis and any other star talent on the trade block. Miami has tried to add a star in recent years, but they’ve struck out at reaching a deal at the finish line.
New York dropped out of the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes this season, but another elimination blocking them from the NBA Finals could increase the desperation. Milwaukee likely prioritized extending this drama into the offseason to take advantage of many franchises changing their stance after this season ends. Giannis’ three top destinations will have their chances to add the two-time MVP.