Giannis Antetokounmpo has had an incredible career since the Bucks selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 Draft.
He was named MVP in 2019 and 2020, was the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year, is a 10-time All-Star, and, perhaps most importantly, led the Bucks to the 2021 Championship, taking home Finals MVP in the process.
Bucks Have ‘Unrealistic’ Asking Price for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Now, it looks like Antetokounmpo’s days in Milwaukee are numbered. Despite his injuries limiting him to 36 games, the Greek Freak still put up 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting a blistering 62.4% from the floor.
Plus, at age 31, there are many reasons to believe Antetokounmpo still has plenty left in the tank, which should make him wanted by any team in the league.
Both the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are said to be suitors for Antetokounmpo, but getting a deal done with the Bucks may prove difficult.
The Heat have been rumored to include Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez, Jr., and another future draft capital, while a deal with the Celtics would likely include Jaylen Brown, perhaps with a third team taking Brown to get the Bucks more pieces for the future rather than a win-now player like Brown.
Per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Bucks have not been realistic in their approach to entertaining offers for Antetokounmpo.
“Several sources have conveyed that Milwaukee GM Jon Horst has established especially ambitious asking prices in Giannis talks,” Fischer says. “The word that keeps coming back: ‘Unrealistic.” The Bucks naturally want as much as they can if they’re parting with their Face of the Franchise, so what constitutes unrealistic? Sources say Milwaukee has been asking teams for returns that would leave any club acquiring Antetokounmpo too barren to contend for a championship.”
The Bucks should have high hopes for a return in a deal for Antetokounmpo. He’s still one of the best five or so players in the league, provided he’s healthy (and all indications are that he will be), and should be far and away the best player on the market.
If a deal like the Heat’s reported offer isn’t up to the Bucks’ liking, they can – and should – hold out for more.
Of course, the league now knows the Bucks are likely working hard behind the scenes to rebuild their squad and could be hoping the Bucks eventually get desperate.
From the Heat and Celtics’ perspectives, Antetokounmpo will turn 32 next season and did miss 46 games last season, which is likely causing hesitancy among the Heat, Celtics, and any other team trying to jump into the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes (the Orlando Magic have also been mentioned as a possibility).
MORE:
With the draft and free agency quickly approaching, just what happens to Antetokounmpo is among the biggest storylines to watch entering the offseason (with LeBron James’ decision on where to play next season leading the way).
