New Giannis Trade Rumors Reveal How Many NBA Teams 'Could Truly Make a Run' at Bucks Star
As much as basically every other NBA team would love to add Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, his market could be relatively limited if he's placed on the trade block.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jim Owczarski (via HoopsHype) reported Monday that "there may be about 10 teams that could truly make a run at the two-time MVP."
This is how the process typically goes when a marquee star becomes available.
Numerous scenarios were floated when Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets during the 2022 offseason and then pushed for an exit again ahead of the 2023 deadline. Durant ultimately landed with the Phoenix Suns — reportedly his preferred choice — and the Nets received a solid haul but not the kind of return people hypothesized months earlier.
Not every franchise has the kind of trade assets it will take to acquire Antetokounmpo. Within that group, even fewer will convince themselves they can meet Milwaukee's price and have enough left over to contend with Giannis in the fold.
The two-time MVP could exert some influence on this process as well. The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm reported Saturday that he "is believed to be interested in joining a true title-contender" and may "prefer to play for an Eastern Conference team."
Some general managers will have to ask themselves whether it's worth mortgaging the future for a player who could be gone in a year. Antetokounmpo has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, and he can make it clear there are certain places where he's unlikely to re-sign.
The Toronto Raptors took that bet and won a title with Kawhi Leonard in 2019. That was also a unique situation in that Toronto effectively paid 50 cents on the dollar. Leonard's impending free agency and injury problems in 2017-18 helped to lessen the San Antonio Spurs' leverage.
Bucks GM Jon Horst is bound to demand a king's ransom should a bidding process for Antetokounmpo open. The challenge will likely evolve to securing the best package he can as prospective suitors remove themselves from the sweepstakes.
