The Milwaukee Bucks‘ offseason saga involving the dealings of Giannis Antetokounmpo sees more developments as the franchise has revealed its intentions to trade their superstar. While this would inevitably signal a rebuild for the team, the organization has also listed out some terms that would need to be met before parting with their most prized asset.
The Bucks forward announced his interest in entertaining trade talks shortly after Milwaukee was eliminated from the playoffs. A first-round exit isn’t befitting a team looking to contend for an NBA title. And Antetokounmpo, now 30 years old, is entering a stage in his career where the title window is closer than before.
Antetokounmpo’s announcement sent shockwaves through the league, issuing an open season call to any team willing to make a bid for the Greek forward. Although the Bucks forward expressed an interest in teaming up with Stephen Curry on the Golden State Warriors, it seems nigh unlikely owing to their limited cap space.
Instead, Milwaukee may find more willing takers from other teams, mentions analyst Cris Davis on X. As per Davis, the San Antonio Spurs, the New York Knicks, the Toronto Raptors, and the Miami Heat are the preferred destinations for the star.
All of these are favorable locations for the forward. However, only one realistically aligns with what the Bucks need to structure their rebuild. Davis mentioned on X that Milwaukee would center their rebuild around picks and young prospects, with a particular inclination towards projected No. 2 pick Dylan Harper.
Harper is considered to be one of the most talented players in the upcoming draft class and, thus, is expected to be a high draft pick. Of the teams mentioned in the list, the Spurs appear to be the only team capable of satisfying Milwaukee’s demands.
Considering that they are also based in the Western Conference, the Bucks would see additional boxes ticked if they were to engage in a trade with the Spurs.
San Antonio is suddenly poised to become a powerhouse in the offseason. With ample cap space and powerful draft assets, the Spurs could potentially create a superteam. With links to Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown as well, the organization has its pick of superstars to pair with its talented young core.
Another crucial detail mentioned in the report was that Antetokounmpo would not be looking for an extension with any team after being traded. With his contract coming to an end in 2027, it is expected that the Greek forward will look to sign a new deal as an unrestricted free agent.
This could have massive implications with regard to which teams will pursue the forward. While he is most certainly in his prime, it is evident that he is also in a “win now” mode with regard to title contention. In this scenario, if a team’s values fail to align with the star’s, the outcome could prove to be counterproductive for both parties.
The dealings involving Antetokounmpo will continue to gather steam with the NBA Draft only a few weeks away. With several moves expected to take place on the day of the event, it will be interesting to see the outcome of this particular situation.
