Lately, things have been bumpy at best for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. As tensions rise and the NBA continues to investigate the matter, the two parties teeter on the brink of divorce.
Just this season, Antetokounmpo has suffered from multiple calf strains, a bone bruise, and, most recently, a knee hyperextension. Antetokounmpo has not seen the hardwood since this injury, missing the Bucks’ last 13 games.
According to The Athletic, the Bucks told Antetokounmpo it would be “in their shared interest” for him to sit out. However, the 10-time All-Star appears to have no such intentions.
Does Giannis Antetokounmpo Fit With Other Title Contenders?
The NBPA has implied that while Antetokounmpo is ready to play, the team is preventing him from returning to the court. Additionally, the players’ association has suggested that not allowing Antetokounmpo to play may be a tanking measure by the Bucks.
With just one regular-season game remaining, the odds of Antetokounmpo playing this season are zero to none. So, what are some potential trade destinations for the Greek superstar?
Exploring The Options
Initially, Antetokounmpo signed a contract extension with the Bucks in October 2023. This deal would keep him in Milwaukee through 2027. The contract also includes a player option for the 2027-28 season.
If Antetokounmpo opts out of the player option, which appears likely now more than ever, he becomes an unrestricted free agent. This means the Bucks’ window for a trade begins as soon as the regular season ends.
This is something that has been confirmed by Bucks co-owner Wes Edens in an interview with ESPN.
“Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract]. So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he’ll be traded. The likelihood you’ll let him just kind of play out the last year, we can’t afford that. It’s not consistent with what’s good for the organization. That’s not a Giannis issue. That’s any player that’s in their last year.”
The Big Apple
Antetokounmpo himself revealed that the New York Knicks were linked with the Bucks this past trade deadline. Rumors suggested the Knicks would part with Karl-Anthony Towns to get the 2021 champion.
New York is likely a city where Antetokounmpo will re-sign, as they are a contender that needs one more piece to get over the hump. The Knicks made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals the previous season, a run they could potentially repeat this year.
Should a trade take place, Antetokounmpo’s fit next to Jalen Brunson will be a unique challenge for head coach Mike Brown. The Knicks’ primary ball handler and scorer, Brunson’s offense mostly centers around the mid-post area, despite being a good three-point shooter. Antetokounmpo’s offense is based on constant rim pressure and occasionally, the mid-range. Additionally, both Antetokounmpo and Brunson have high usage rates (36.7% and 30.3%, respectively), which can also lead to conflict over who will run the offense.
Compared to Towns, Antetokounmpo’s poor three-point shooting leaves much to be desired. Under coach Brown, Towns is used primarily as a stretch big man, shooting 36.8% on three-pointers, making 113 out of 307 attempts.
This season, Antetokounmpo’s three-point percentage stands at 33.3%. However, the Hall of Famer has made just 15 out of 45 attempts this season.
On the other hand, Antetokounmpo’s elite interior defense could make up for his three-point struggles. This will only accentuate the Knicks’ stifling defense, with New York consistently ranked top-10 in defensive rating throughout this season.
Space City
This has been an up-and-down season for the Houston Rockets. Currently the fifth seed, they are one game below the injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers. As a whole, the Rockets appear to have a well-rounded, yet slightly inexperienced team, one that lost to the seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors the previous season. Being just one win short of their record from last season, the Rockets may trade for Antetokounmpo only if they do not perform well in the playoffs.
Despite being an All-Star this season, Alperen Sengun‘s inconsistency on both sides of the floor has been a significant concern for Houston. This leads some to believe that the Turkish star will be a key piece in the Rockets’ offer to Milwaukee. Others suggest that Amen Thompson could be traded instead for Antetokounmpo.
While Sengun and Kevin Durant are offensive juggernauts in their own right, Antetokounmpo could elevate the Rockets’ offense. Working as a slasher and in the dunker spot, this addition would give the Rockets one of the tallest starting fives in the NBA right now.
If Thompson does get traded, either Sengun or Antetokounmpo will have to alter his game slightly to complement the other. Sengun’s three-point shooting is slowly improving. Taking and making the most threes in his career this year, the two-time All-Star has the potential to develop into a legitimate threat from deep. This also opens up the paint for Antetokounmpo to do his work under the rim.
Other teams named as potential suitors for Giannis include the Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat.
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