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It’s a rumor that won’t go away anytime soon.
Current NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are officially out of the playoffs. The 25-year-old can sign a supermax extension this offseason that could be worth up to $ 250 million, depending on what happens to the salary cap after the economic fallout from the pandemic.
Antetokounmpo said he’s committed to staying with the Bucks, but that could change in the coming months. The Golden State Warriors have reportedly had their eyes on Antetokounmpo for quite some time and they could be an attractive option for Antetokounmpo.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report wrote an interesting article about the situation and spoke to several people in the league about what could happen with Antetokounmpo:
“He could be on the Warriors in three months,” said a former Western Conference executive.
The basic assumption, if he decides to leave, is that Antetokounmpo will want to play in one of the NBA’s major markets on a rival team. That’s why Golden State, with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, obviously fits (on paper at least).
The Warriors can offer Andrew Wiggins’ massive contract ($ 94.7 million over the next three years), along with the second pick in the 2020 NBA draft, a lightly protected future Minnesota Timberwolves first-round player and Eric Paschall. Wiggins’ contract is far from ideal, but the Bucks may feel compelled to make the best of a bad situation. High picks can be extremely difficult to come by.
A former general manager sees the Warriors as “the only opportunity for leverage” for Milwaukee.
“Time is on your side,” he said. “They would get a great deal.”
If Antetokounmpo doesn’t sign to supermax in the offseason, Milwaukee will have to consider its options. The Bucks can’t risk losing one of the best players in the game for nothing if he decides to enter free agency next year.
Antetokounmpo seems to appreciate Stephen Curry, calling him “one of his favorite players in the league.” The adjustment is evident with the Dubs, who should be back in competition for an NBA title next season.
The Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers are reportedly considering making a run at the Greek Freak if it becomes available in 2021. But, none of those teams have high draft picks in their pocket that the Bucks are sure to seek. . any trade.
The only way for the Warriors to get Antetokounmpo is through a trade, and this offseason seems like the best opportunity to do so.
We will have more clarity on the situation in the coming months, but until we hear something official from Antetokounmpo, the rumors will keep flying.
In some links:
Would Golden State look to move? Andrew Wiggins and choice number 2? Preston Ellis of Bleacher Report says the Dubs should try to offer the package to the Chicago Bulls for Zach Lavine.
The Warriors will have some options in free agency with the exception of midlevel and the minimum number of veterans available.. NBC Bay Area’s Mount Poole discusses six realistic goals for the Dubs. He lists Jae Crowder as one of them, who I think will fit the Golden State perfectly.
General manager Bob Myers will have a lot of options on what to do with the second pick. Fansided’s Tony Pesta says using the pick on big man James Wiseman could be a bad move.
