The Milwaukee Bucks got one of the all-time steals when they selected Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Antetokounmpo has been an All-Star nine times, has been on the All-NBA First Team six times (and the Second Team twice), won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2020, and was named league MVP in 2019 and 2020. That all culminated in 2021 when Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to an NBA title, picking up the Finals MVP award.
Although the Bucks won 51 and 58 games over the two seasons following their Finals victory, they have seen those wins go down to 49 and 48 over the last two seasons. Since then, they have also only advanced beyond the first round once, a seven-game series loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2022 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, and have exited in the first round in each of the last three seasons.
With guard Damian Lillard tearing his Achilles tendon in the Bucks’ first-round loss to the Indiana Pacers, many believe the Bucks’ window to win another title has closed. That has led to speculation that the Bucks may trade Antetokounmpo.
Bucks Chalk Wayout in Case They Decide To Deal Giannis Antetokounmpo
According to NBA Insider Gery Woelfel, the Bucks are preparing for a scenario where they may have to deal Antetokounmpo by working out several of the draft’s top prospects in the event that they can acquire a lottery pick.
“I’ve been told by multiple sources the Bucks are taking steps in the event Giannis Antetokounmpo moves on,” Woelfel explained. “One of those steps is bringing some projected top 8 draft prospects to Milwaukee before the June 25-26 NBA draft. The Bucks, as of now, don’t even have a first-round pick in this year’s draft.”
I’ve been told by multiple sources the Bucks are taking steps in the event Giannis Antetokounmpo moves on.
One of those steps is bringing some projected top 8 draft prospects to Milwaukee before the June 25-26 NBA draft
The Bucks, as of now, don’t even have a first-round pick in…— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel)
It is unclear whether this is simply speculation and the Bucks are simply doing their due diligence or if they really could deal Antetokounmpo. The Bucks would clearly prefer to hang on to their star, but he could force their hand, and they may decide it is in their best interest to start rebuilding. It would obviously take a large haul to acquire Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo has been connected to several teams in recent days, including the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, who both play in the state-income tax-free state of Florida. Antetokounmpo’s social media has also fueled rumors that the New York Knicks are another potential destination for him.
However, the team that has stolen headlines in the NBA for the last week could also be a potential destination for the man known as the Greek Freak.
Could Antetokounmpo Be on His Way to Dallas?
The biggest speculation revolves around the Dallas Mavericks, who won the lottery and the right to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg in next month’s draft. Although there have been reports that the Mavs will hang onto the top pick, other reports have surfaced that the Mavs have long coveted Antetokounmpo.
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Adding Antetokounmpo to Anthony Davis and a returning Kyrie Irving certainly has to be tempting. Rather than waiting for Flagg to develop, the Mavs could become an instant contender. Plus, the Bucks could see adding Flagg as the perfect way to kick off their rebuild.
