Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes a free agent in July 2021. The probable back-to-back Most Valuable Player has risen to a level of dominance that only looks to grow. The Greek Freak averaged 30 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists this season. Giannis’ will be the biggest free agent since the LeBron James “Decision” in 2010. Almost every team will try to meet with Giannis and sway him to them.
The Best Teams for Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Why the Lakers Won’t Sign Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Los Angeles Lakers most likely will not see Giannis in the purple and gold, or at least in 2021. The reason for this is cap space. Like Giannis, LeBron James is a free agent in 2021. James seems content to stick around, assuming Anthony Davis does not leave this summer, which he will not. With that in mind, the Lakers will be able to afford Giannis if they let James go. Teaming up Giannis and AD is a salivating thought, but to cut LeBron loose is too disrespectful. Giannis is also too competitive to team up with Davis and/or James…unlike a specific 2016 free agent.
Why the Lakers Will Sign Giannis Antetokounmpo
They can’t, unless Davis or LeBron wants out, which they don’t. Their best shot at getting him is his next free agency, which will be sometime between 2024-26.
Do the Lakers have a real chance at Giannis? Not in 2021, but in 2026, you never know.
4. Toronto Raptors
Why the Raptors Won’t Sign Giannis Antetokounmpo
The only reason the Toronto Raptors are not higher on this list is that they have never once signed a big-name free agent. The best players in Raptors history have all been acquired via draft or trade. Players such as Vince Carter, DeMar Derozan, Chris Bosh and Pascal Siakam were drafted. Toronto acquired players like Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry in trades.
Why the Raptors Will Sign Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis fits with the Raptors if he or Siakam is willing to play the center position. Also, to do this, the Raptors would have to let Lowry go, or Lowry would need to take an extremely small contract to stick with the team. Doing this makes Toronto the team to beat.
Do the Raptors have a real chance at Giannis? They would need to break their 30 year streak of not signing big names, but for the first time, it’s possible.
3. New York Knicks
Why the Knicks Won’t Sign Giannis Antetokounmpo
To put it frankly, the New York Knicks have been awful since 2014. RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, 2020 draft picks to be named later, and Kevin Knox all have a decent amount of potential though, especially Barrett. The main problem is that the Knicks are still awful, and turning it around and making the playoffs next year is a longshot. If Barrett takes a huge jump into being a good enough first option, and the Knicks sign some talented enough players to one-year deals to make the playoffs, maybe it’s possible. The Knicks with Giannis is easily the most fun option, but it does not make sense for him to leave for a team that isn’t ready for contention.
Why the Knicks Will Sign Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is so much of an NBA superstar, more than just his family and members of the Bucks know how to spell his last name. Now, imagine him playing in the Mecca, Madison Square Garden. The Knicks will also have the flexibility to sign another great player that year or make a splash this year, in the case that the Pelicans are reluctant to give Brandon Ingram a max contract. Another option would be to use the multitude of draft picks they have acquired to trade for a second star who could be upset with their current team. Devin Booker and Bradley Beal both fit this description. A big three of Barrett, one of Booker/Beal/Ingram, and Giannis could be enough to sway the Greek Freak. After all, if he revives New York Basketball, he gets to become more of a New York legend than Nets stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant could ever hope to be.
Do the Knicks have a real shot at Giannis? Yes, if they can get him a star sidekick, or if RJ Barrett takes an amazing jump. But don’t bet on the Knicks.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Why the Bucks Will Lose Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks have done nothing but make poor decisions since drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jabari Parker and Thon Maker were drafted in back to back seasons, both of whom are viewed as busts.
The Bucks signed Mirza Teletovic and Miles Plumlee to multi-year 30 and 50 million dollar contracts respectively. They also signed Ersan Ilyasova to a three year, $21 million deal the following summer. Furthermore, they overpaid both Eric Bledsoe and Brook Lopez.
The only positive moves since drafting Antetokounmpo was acquiring Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon, and they would lose Brogdon to the Indiana Pacers in the summer of 2019. The Bucks also gave Middleton a five year, 170 million dollar deal, which is another overpaid contract.
Why the Bucks Will Keep Giannis Antetokounmpo
Back in 2013, the Bucks took a chance on a scrawny kid with a name nobody could pronounce who looked like he was playing in a YMCA league. Everybody overlooked him, he came in, and it took time, but Giannis Antetokounmpo would get to the point where now teams are less reluctant to draft unknown foreign projects. The Bucks also signed Giannis’ younger brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a two-year deal. Milwaukee became Giannis’ home away from home. This is the only pull they have, other than having the best record in the Eastern Conference, but without Giannis, the Bucks are hardly a playoff team.
Do the Bucks have a real shot at keeping Giannis? Very much so, but they should be worried.
1. Miami Heat
Why the Heat Won’t Sign Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Miami Heat will have everything going for them. It is a great situation with players hungry to win and has defenders and sharpshooters in every position. Miami is also a huge market that can generate a lot of buzz for Antetokounmpo’s brand. The only disadvantage Miami has is they are not the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks still have that hometown pull. Giannis is from Greece and has never lived anywhere but Milwaukee since his drafting. Antetokounmpo shows profound loyalty, and it might be too much for the Heat, or any team, to overcome.
Why the Miami Heat Will Sign Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Miami Heat have been planning for the 2021 free agency since signing Jimmy Butler. Butler is known to have a no-nonsense type of personality. This is why he went to Miami. The Heat are known to outwork almost every team in the league, and not tolerate anything less than hard work every day you’re a member of the organization. Team President Pat Riley has worked tirelessly to get his team this reputation.
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