Giannis Antetokounmpo has not yet requested trade. If the Milwaukee Bucks hold a superstar, they will need to desperately add point guards to replace the injured Damian Lillard.
Entering the NBA offseason, after the third first round exit, the Milwaukee Bucks were caught up in trade rumors and speculated that they could trade Giannis Anteto compo.
However, Antetokounmpo has not yet requested a trade, and once the NBA draft is over, the Bucks are no longer able to add draft capital this year.
Still, if he asks, he will likely become perhaps the most popular trade target in NBA history, and the team will be willing to break the bank for him. This is not expected to occur by June 30th, when NBA free agency begins.
Pat Connaughton has already chosen his contract, but the Bucks have four unlimited free agents, opening up the possibility of returning this summer by bolstering the lineup around Giannis.
Not shocking, but the Bucks need a point guard. Damien Lillard misses everything for next season with Torn Achilles. And no one can attack, and the Bucks stagnate.
Of course, Antetokounmpo has some playmaking chops, but it would be a dream for the Bucks to have offensive defenders, facilitators and floor spacers share the court with Giannis.
If Milwaukee is unable to seduce the free agent point guard, then Giannis is expected to ask.
“Let’s be clear here, he’s not seeking trade,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst summed up. “The Bucks aren’t trying to trade him, and with that being said, many leagues are keeping an eye on what happens.
“The Bucks have seven free agents. They really don’t have a team that they can really put together in any form now. They have four core free agents.
“They were already a team struggling to replace Dame Lillard for the majority, if not all of this season. They need a starting level point guard. So they have a lot of problems. They don’t have good assets.”
Milwaukee can only trade in the first round picks of 2031, far away, and land a solid lead guard in trade, but depending on how free agency is shaking, the Bucks can land a stop facilitator until they return next season.
“They need point guards here,” Bobby Marks said. “You have $14 million. How do you want to use it and go with it? Do you want to use it to bring Gary Trent Jr. back, or do you want to go out and bring the point guard back here?”
The Bucks don’t have endless money and don’t play in the big market that attracts stars, but playing with Antetokounmpo is appetizing. In the weak Eastern Conference where Giannis and Kyle Kuzma are already on the roster, the Bucks are point guards away from the fight.
Free agents like Chris Paul, Dangelo Russell and Malcolm Brogdon stand out as possible picks. Paul was linked to the Dallas Mavericks, and Dallas could afford Russell. Blogdon won the Rookie of the Year with the Bucks in 2017 and was later traded with the Indiana Pacers in a payroll dumping move, but the reunion appears to be delayed.
If the Bucks can’t tempt them to add point guards to keep Giannis, they may have a difficult choice to make later in the summer, but Anteto Compo may make it for them.
“If this doesn’t look like a competing team in a month, will Giannis revisit his position of letting go?” asked Windhorst. “And that’s one of the big things that can define this offseason in the NBA.”
For now, the Bucks look like midling teams, but they boast one of the best players in the world and may have the means to become a candidate even in a down year.