While he cautioned that it’s too early to say what might happen, and things could change later this month, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line recently said on a Bleacher Report live stream (YouTube link) that rival teams have become skeptical that Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will request a trade out of Milwaukee.
“Honestly, right now I’d say the prevailing sentiment from rival teams that I’m speaking to — around the combine two weeks ago, two and a half weeks ago — there was no shortage of optimism, of hope, of excitement from other teams that they were going to be able to potentially make an offer to get Giannis Antetokounmpo into their franchise, into their building,” Fischer said (hat tip to RealGM).
“Of late, I’d say that that confidence has been replaced with skepticism. To a man, from talking to agents, team executives, whoever, there is not a lot of belief right now at this juncture. It’s only June 5th — anything could happen — and I’ve been told all along that if there is a decision, a formal decision made to shut or open the door on trade conversations for Giannis this summer, that it would likely happen closer to the end of June and when the offseason really, really begins.
“But I’d say for now, for now, talking to people around the league, the assessment and the expectation is that they’re going to believe it when they see it — that someone who has valued being the franchise face, that the central linchpin of the Bucks franchise, is going to want to play somewhere else.”
The two-time MVP is reportedly mulling his future in Milwaukee and is expected to let the Bucks know at some point soon whether he remains committed to the team or would prefer to seek a change of scenery. While Shams Charania of ESPN reported a few weeks ago that Antetokounmpo is more “open-minded” than in the past about taking the latter route, there has been no indication to this point that he’s looking to leave the Bucks.
Fischer’s comments echo reporting from Brian Lewis of The New York Post, who wrote that NBA personnel he’s spoken to recently have been expressing less confidence about Giannis asking to be traded this summer.
Either way a trade to warriors,lakers or clippers doesn’t make a lick of sense for anyone’! They can’t help the bucks in the present or future! If he’s leaving the bucks a team out east makes sense for all esp Giannis if he wants the path of least resistance
Actually those Warrior picks 2-3 years out might be really good
Not if Giannis is on the Warriors
Spurs and Raptors are the top contenders for Giannis imo
There is nothing else for teh sport writers to talk about KD or Giannis. The trade market will be boring this year with so many teams with cap issues.
It. Should. Not. Matter. He can just leave in two years. Then what? You get nothing because he never asked for a trade? And since you have no picks, you’re stuck being terrible with no way out?
This feels so poorly managed. A very likely scenario is that they don’t trade Giannis, the Bucks get worse, and then he leaves in two seasons. Even if they figure it out and trade him near the end, they’ll get a fraction of what they can get now.
Just do it now. The reasons not to aren’t nearly as convincing as the reasons to do it.
I agree they should trade him. But you gotta chill out & let it play out tho. The window of it making sense to trade Giannis just opened up with Dame’s injury. The first real opportunity they’ll have to trade him will be at the draft & obv that hasn’t happened yet. I think Giannis prob doesn’t really wanna leave & the Bucks love having him & everything but it just makes to much sense for all parties to go ahead & trade him & that’s what will happen. If he’s still a Buck by the end of Eurobasket you can get antsy but I’d chill til then.
Its also worth noting, the Bucks have proven they can keep a trade quiet until its ready to go. Remember the Lillard deal seemingly came out of nowhere – everyone not in the know thought that the lines between Portland and Miami were burning up – and that was brewed for quiet a while.
Giannis has nothing to gain by telling the world he’s leaving Milwaukee. He’s not that person. If he demanded landing spots, he told the Bucks, not ESPN or Bleacher Report. Certainly the Bucks have nothing to gain by saying they are trading Giannis.
The window to compete is clearly closed, the window to recoup assets is at its peak. This is a no-brainer.
Onyeka Okongwu, Zacch Risacher, Terance Mann, Kobe Bufkin, Georges Niang, #22 plus a future pick swap for Giannis is a fair deal for both Mil & Atl & just about the most I’d give up for him tbh.
Trae/Dice/Jalen/Giannis/? with Keaton, Vit, Caris, Gueye & Clint/Nance off bench would be a talented team no doubt. We’d need to resign Caris & (Clint or Nance) in this scenario & we’d still need to find a starting big in free agency or by using our trade exception. But if we can get Giannis without trading Dice or Jalen I’d be interested.
For Milwaukee they’d get their rebuild going in a strong way by acquiring 3 possible starters plus an exp vet in Niang who could act as Zacch’s bodyguard if Portis doesn’t come back. They get 3 young guys in Zacch, Bufkin & the 22 pick that can infuse some excitement into this new post Giannis squad.
Giannis is not some trash-talking rapper wannabe Rich Paul client who tends to behave in a certain way, has fallouts with their team easier than a 14 y.o. girl and eyes the door at the first opportunity to play with LeBron.
As far as I’m concerned, the possible Giannis trade talks are coming from the folks who have nothing better to do than to speculate, the usual talking heads (prats).
He might be traded, sure, but I would not be surprised at all if he signs another contract with Milwaukee.
I’m thinking back to Giannis’s comments after getting bounced a year or two ago. This man is not singularly focused on championships. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he stays put.
I said this at the beginning… I don’t see him asking out, nor do I see Bucks owners dealing him.
Giannis has been a class act. Stop acting like they didn’t just win a championship. It’s not a mess there and everyone’s team sucks other than the two finals teams.
Giannis will be traded at the draft. Bucks can get biggest return there. They don’t need his permission. Giannis has already come out and said he is open to a trade.
The best deals out there are Spurs and Rockets. Many scouts think Dylan Harper can be another Cade. That’s high praise. And something for Bucks to grasp. Personally I like what Rockets can offer. Imo Giannis will get moved draft night.