The Portland Trail Blazers apparently have the best trade package on paper to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Reports resurfaced earlier today that Portland strongly wants to enter the Giannis trade sweepstakes this summer. Antetokounmpo would have the chance to reunite with former teammates Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, while the Bucks get great young assets.
Oregon Live reports that the Trail Blazers hope to trade two strong prospects and the Milwaukee draft picks owned from the Lillard trade. The following trade package makes the most sense:
Portland Gets: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Gets: Jerami Grant + two players out of the core of Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan, Scoot Henderson and Yang Hansen + two of their own draft picks + one of their own pick swaps
Portland has done a great job elevating new talents and pushing a youth movement, despite winning more than expected to make the postseason. Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan, and Yang Hansen are all major prospects on the table. One of the two guards and one of the two centers would give Milwaukee two young building blocks to retool their roster quickly.
Damian Lillard’s Previous Trade Helps Giannis Chances
Everyone already is thinking about the potential of Lillard and Antetokounmpo reuniting if a trade were to take place. However, it gets overlooked that the Trail Blazers still own three total draft picks or swaps from the Bucks from when they traded Dame there. The rebuilding process makes those draft picks extra valuable to Milwaukee.
Only Portland can give the Bucks control of their future by sending back all three future draft picks. The toughest thing about trading Giannis will be having to rebuild with the Trail Blazers getting their likely high end draft picks from the losing seasons after trading away a former MVP.
Milwaukee trading with Portland would give them the only scenario to become a major player in the draft while selecting their own lottery picks and adding two young foundation pieces. Jerami Grant would be the most expendable piece traded to the Bucks for salary purposes, but they could easily flip him for a pick or young prospect.
Blazers Can Easily Contend With Giannis
The biggest variable left for Portland to have a realistic chance at Antetokounmpo is his willingness to play there. Rumors suggest that the Trail Blazers will only give up their enticing trade package to the Bucks if Giannis extends his contract.
Antetokounmpo only has one guaranteed year left on his deal that will complicate trade offers. Teams will be stingy if Giannis is playing hardball and only gives them one confirmed season before he enters free agency. Antetokounmpo must have faith in Portland, but he gets to reunite with two of his favorite teammates.
The Trail Blazers would keep Deni Avdija to give them a young star now entering his prime. A trio of Giannis, Deni, and Dame would give Portland a fighter’s chance against any top team. Blazers management would also keep two of the young players, Toumani Camara, and still have enough for a solid bench behind their new big three.
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