A winter full of Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors is now upon us.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, “Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP’s future—and discussing whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere, sources tell ESPN. A resolution is expected in the coming weeks.”
That followed ESPN’s Brian Windhorst saying earlier on Wednesday that he already asked to be trade:
None of this comes as a surprise. As Charania noted, “Antetokounmpo came into the season having bought into the championship roster vision of general manager Jon Horst and coach Doc Rivers. Before the season started, sources said Antetokounmpo would examine the Bucks’ first 25 or so games this season and make decisions on his long-term future, depending on whether the team showed signs of competing in the Eastern Conference.”
The Bucks have started the season 9-13, however, and it’s pretty clear the team has likely exhausted its limited avenues for building a championship contender around him.
There were rumors in October that the Bucks and New York Knicks had initial trade talks regarding Giannis, so they will be the first team linked to a potential deal if the superstar indeed decides he’s done in Milwaukee.
No team in the NBA has a better combination of young stars and future draft assets than the Oklahoma City Thunder, meanwhile, so they will be a team to monitor (though whether the Thunder even need to make such a splash to repeat as champions is debatable).
Most NBA teams will probably check in with the Bucks in the coming weeks, though Antetokounmpo will of course have some say in the proceedings. Get ready for all of the proposed trade packages to be floated by analysts.
We’re all going to have a lot of fun between now and February’s trade deadline, that much is for certain.