Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the biggest fish of next summer’s NBA free-agent class. As the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year and the soon-to-be back-to-back MVP, the Greek Freak has taken the league by storm and has quickly emerged to become a bonafide superstar.
Despite Giannis’ best efforts to thwart talks of his departure from the Bucks, questions have surfaced about his long-term future with the franchise. Depending on how Milwaukee performs this postseason, many are inclined to believe Giannis could entertain or even demand a change of scenery either in free agency next year or via trade this upcoming offseason.
The Mavericks have been among the teams given the strongest link to Antetokounmpo. In fact, in a Tuesday visit with 105.3 The Fan’s “K&C Masterpiece, former NBA player Brian Scalabrine gave them a good shot at pulling it off.
“Of all the (stars), I think he would (consider leaving an existing team to come to Dallas),” said NBA analyst Scalabrine said “To leave a team, that’s a hard thing to do, especially if you’re a guy like him. Just think about Dirk Nowitzki. He was Dallas all the way, (and) it seems like Giannis is all the way (with Milwaukee).
“But I think you (Dallas) have just as good a chance as anyone else. … Los Angeles, Miami, or any of the other favorite teams. I think the Dallas Mavericks, you look at their cap situation, with a superstar (in Luka Doncic) and (Kristaps Porzingis). … I’m telling you right now it’s not zero (chance).”
Dallas makes a lot of sense for a lot of different reasons. COmpared to Milwaukee, Dallas is a much bigger market where Giannis can grow his brand and expand his reach. With Luka and KP, the Mavericks already have a roster in place capable of competing for years to come.
And, of course, the presence of Mark Cuban and Rick Carlisle only make the Mavs more desirable as they’re some of the best in the business at what they do.
If Giannis wants to win in an exciting new atmosphere, the Mavericks may be the place to do it. And, whether it’s by trade or free agency, you can bet the team will be doing whatever they can to 9mprove their odds of actually landing him.
All will be revealed with time.
