NBA Insider Says Teams 'Praying' for Giannis Trade by Bucks amid LeBron Lakers Rumors

While Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been the subject of trade rumors over the past few weeks, NBA teams reportedly haven't given up on hoping that another superstar hits the trade market this offseason.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the player many are dreaming about acquiring this summer.

"There's no question that the drama surrounding James was a ceaseless talking point in Las Vegas, but the reality is that James, like it or not, is nearing the end of his career," Stein stated. "Antetokounmpo is somehow entering his 13th season as a Buck, but he's only 30. And he still has multiple teams out there praying that the hesitation in Giannis' recent interview with IShowSpeed keeps the window cracked open on him asking for a trade."

Stein was referring to Antetokounmpo's recent comments during a live stream in which he said he was likely to return to Milwaukee but admitted that others around him have been trying to steer him elsewhere.

"Probably. Probably, we'll see. Probably, I love Milwaukee," Antetokounmpo said when asked if he was staying put this offseason, though he also said, "A lot of people have tried to convince me, try to convince me to go and play there [New York] and stuff."

It won't be easy for any team to convince the Bucks to trade away the two-time NBA MVP, but Stein made it clear that Antetokounmpo "still holds far greater behind-closed-doors interest among rival teams than the ongoing chatter about" James and his future with the Lakers.