The Milwaukee Bucks had to deal with an entire summer of trade rumors with Giannis Antetokounmpo. It was the first time that Antetokounmpo had been open to moving on from the Bucks. He has been with the team since they drafted him in 2013.
Heading into this season, Antetokounmpo decided to stay in Milwaukee. He even endorsed the offseason moves that GM Jon Horst made. Yet, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Antetokounmpo asked for a trade over the summer to the Knicks.
Ever since that came out, teams have been waiting to see what happens with the Bucks this season. With them sitting in 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, Antetokounmpo seems to have had enough. Now, there appears to be a major shake-up on the horizon.
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo dunks the ball. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo to Meet to Discuss His Future
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo is going to meet with his agent to determine his future with the organization. He will decide whether or not he is going to stay in Milwaukee or if it’s better for him to move on elsewhere.
Usually, when these things happen, the player is gone. Anytime there is a crack that shows up, other teams begin to pounce. The Bucks are certainly going to get a lot of calls about Antetokounmpo. Almost every other team in the NBA would love to have him on the roster.
Antetokounmpo clearly seemed to think about playing with the Knicks over the summer. Entering this season, New York was seen as one of the favorites to win the East. Right now, the Knicks sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Bucks are going to ask for a massive package in return for any Antetokounmpo trade. Milwaukee is going to make sure that they get every draft pick and young player possible if Antetokounmpo decides that he wants out.
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo gets fouled. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Teams Will Fight Each Other for Giannis Antetokounmpo
There will be a dozen teams that will be lining up offers for Antetokounmpo. The Bucks will have a lot of leverage, as long as Antetokounmpo doesn’t handcuff them. If Antetokounmpo demands a trade to the Knicks, the quality of the offers for him will plummet.
Antetokounmpo could still decide to stay in Milwaukee. He has talked glowingly about the city and his affinity for winning titles in Milwaukee. Of course, he wants to win championships, period. If he doesn’t believe that will happen in Milwaukee, he will leave.
Myles Turner decided to leave the Indiana Pacers, a team that made the NBA Finals a year ago, for a chance to play with Antetokounmpo. Now, he might be left as the most expensive player on the roster just a few months into the season if Antetokounmpo is traded.
A decision one way or the other is expected to be made in the next few weeks. A trade would likely happen a few weeks before the deadline, if one does happen.
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