{"id":33630,"date":"2020-09-22T15:51:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T19:51:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=33630"},"modified":"2020-09-22T17:50:30","modified_gmt":"2020-09-22T21:50:30","slug":"giannis-antetokounmpo-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/09\/22\/giannis-antetokounmpo-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Giannis Antetokounmpo Rumors: Four Teams in Position to Pursue the Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fresh off a second-round exit to the Miami Heat<\/a>, speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> <\/strong>and his future has begun. The 25-year-old averaged a ludicrous 29.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 55.3 percent shooting. The Greek Freak\u00a0<\/em>became just the third player in NBA history to win both<\/a> MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season.<\/p>\n

Despite these accolades,\u00a0Antetokounmpo has voiced his desire to win a championship. Small market teams like the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> struggle to attract high-level free agents thus securing his talents long-term is a priority. For those who wonder why Antetokounmpo would stay in Milwaukee, he has 247 million reasons why. He would become the highest-paid player in NBA history. Not all teams realistically have a shot at securing his services. Golden State is rumored to be very interested in the two-time MVP but their cap sheet is a mess. The Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> and New York Knicks<\/a> are featured in rumors but their futures are relatively unknown. Anthony Davis<\/a><\/strong> will receive a Max contract this upcoming off-season while LeBron James<\/a><\/strong> will turn 36 in 2021. The Knicks are in every single rumor but they struggle to even secure a meeting with major free agents.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Four Teams in Position to Pursue the Star<\/h2>\n

Dallas Forms the Trio of Europe<\/h3>\n

The Dallas Mavericks<\/a> made the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Armed with stars Luka Doncic<\/a><\/strong> and Kristaps Porzingis<\/a><\/strong>, the Mavericks must surround its cornerstones with other high-level talents.<\/p>\n

Adding Giannis Antetokounmpo would propel them to the top of the Western Conference.<\/p>\n

Dallas GM Donnie Nelson and owner Mark Cuban have done a fantastic job positioning itself to go after the Greek Freak in 2021. The Mavericks have just eight players under contract.<\/p>\n

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DAL SALARIES 2021-22<\/p>\n

Porzingis 31.6
Powell 11
Doncic 10.1
Kleber 8.7
Wright 8.5
Curry 8.2
Finney-Smith 4
Brunson 1.4<\/p>\n

CAP HOLDS<\/p>\n

Hardaway 28.4
Jackson 12.5
Marjanovic 4.5
Cauley-Stein 3<\/p>\n

If DAL renounce their cap holds, move Powell & Wright, they will have an extra 20m to use.<\/p>\n

— Eagle Moneyball (@geola388) September 22, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n