Before Giannis Antetokounmpo signed his 5-year extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, the back-to-back MVP got to express what moves he wanted the front office to make, specifically trade targets. One of those targets was Bogdan Bogdanovic, which fell apart due to the fact the Bogdanovic was a restricted free agent with the Sacramento Kings and thus not tradable, he eventually signed with the Atlanta Hawks. However, another missed target has surfaced, Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal.
The 30.5 points per game scorer were one of Giannis’ preferred targets to strengthen the Bucks’ backcourt, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Kevin Arnovitz. The Wizards had other plans, dealing John Wall to Houston in exchange for Russell Westbrook, teaming up the former MVP point guard with Beal in Washington’s backcourt.
“In addition to [Bodgdan] Bogdanovic, he cited Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal as a desirable target for the Bucks,” Windhorst and Arnovitz reported. “Without impugning specific teammates, Antetokounmpo was implicitly suggesting what just about everyone in the organization — and the NBA — knew: The Bucks needed to upgrade their backcourt.”
Milwaukee failed to trade for the upcoming 2021 free agent and instead traded Eric Bledsoe to the New Orleans Pelicans along with George Hill and 3 first-round picks for guard Jrue Holiday. The 19.1 points per game scorer will still be a nice addition to the Bucks roster, spacing the floor and providing more room inside for Giannis’ rim attacking style.
Later this season we’ll be able to tell how much the Bucks wished they could have had Beal. It will be interesting to see if Giannis and the Bucks could be a frontrunner in Beal’s free agency decision next year. Giannis’ extension obviously cements himself as someone important to the Bucks franchise, and with that comes having a say in front office decisions, we’ll see if that will play a role next offseason.
