Whispers of a divorce between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have grown louder, with ESPN insider Shams Charania reporting that the two-time MVP winner could be dealt in the next week.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home. Charania notes that Antetokounmpo is ready to be traded either before the trade deadline or in the offseason, and the Bucks have started fielding offers from rival teams.
The Greek star reportedly prefers a move to one of the New York Knicks, the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Miami Heat should the Bucks trade him either by the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or this summer.
Henry Abbott of TrueHoop disclosed Antetokounmpo’s list of desired destinations when he appeared on the “New York Post Sports” podcast.
“One person told me that Giannis’ preferred list is three teams: the Heat, the Wolves and the Knicks,” Abbot said.
The Knicks have been linked to the Bucks star since his initial trade request last year, and could be in the driver’s seat to land the former NBA champion.
One proposed trade sees the Knicks offer Karl Anthony-Towns, Landry Shamet, Tyler Kolek and draft capital for Antetokounmpo.
Should the Knicks Pull the Trigger on a Blockbuster Giannis Trade?
GettyKnicks are a suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Knicks were one win away from punching their ticket to the NBA Finals a season ago, and remains laser-focused on another deep playoff run this season.
Things have been a bit turbulent as the team adjusts to the new, Mike Brown-led coaching staff, but the team remains in the hunt.
Currently the third seed in the East, the Knicks don’t need to trade for Antetokounmpo. Still, generational talents like the two-time MVP winner don’t grow on trees, and the Knicks would be wise to at least make an offer for the All-Star forward.
Any package for Antetokounmpo would almost certainly include Towns, as the Knicks would need to make the contract salaries match.
Using ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine, the Knicks would land the disgruntled Bucks star for a haul involving Towns, Shamet and Kolek.
Milwaukee will most likley want draft capital as well, which could be an issue for a Knicks team that dealt four first-round picks for Mikal Bridges.
Still, a trade package involving Towns should be enough to at least entice Milwaukee.
Towns is averaging 20.5 points, 11.4 rebounds through 43 games this season.
While his foul frequency and lack of defensive intensity can be frustrating at times, Towns would instantly become one of the best players in Bucks history.
Plus, since the All-Star center just turned 30 in November, he is still young enough to figure into the Bucks’ plans.
Again, the Knicks don’t need to make a deal. But a trade for Antetokounmpo could be the remedy to their championship woes.
Will Bucks Wait Until the OffSeason to Deal Giannis?
GettyMilwaukee Bucks could deal Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline in February
While fans are eager for a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline, the Bucks could wait until the offseason to move Antetokounmpo.
A few weeks ago, the Bucks were rebuffing trade talks for the star forward.
Given the team’s desire to recoup valuable draft assets, it may be in their best interest to wait until after the NBA Draft Lottery, when the draft order is determined.
It’s possible, though, that Antetokounmpo’s latest trade request expedites that timeline.
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