Giannis Antoetokounmpo.
He is one of the best players of the 21st century, and he also has one of the worst trade sagas of the 21st century.
Where will he play next season?
While that is still to be determined, rumors are beginning to swirl about where he would like to go and where he would not.
With that knowledge, I am picking three teams that have been linked previously to the “Greek Freak” that I am predicting will not be trading for him this offseason.
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A few months ago, the Knicks were the No. 1 frontrunner for Antetokounmpo. Now, though, why would they? The Knicks’ core is playing arguably the best basketball in the sport right now, and the group seems to genuinely love playing for one another.
If this were a video game, sure, go trade for the former MVP. But since this is actual real life, even if New York doesn’t win a title this year, they shouldn’t blow it up for Antetokounmpo.
Although Minnesota were a serious contender for Antetokounmpo at the deadline, they’re another team that I don’t see him playing for next season.
The Timberwolves need to find a true co-star for Anthony Edwards, but that being Antetokounmpo seems like an awkward fit. If the Timberwolves were looking for an older second-in-command for Edwards, I’d rather them go after Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers, who feels like a better fit on the Timberwolves and will probably cost much less.
Luka Doncic has reportedly already told the Lakers’ higher-ups that he wants Austin Reaves on the team moving forward and doesn’t want him traded for Antetokounmpo.
What else does L.A. have to beat the likes of Golden State, Miami, or even Boston, then? They can do a bunch of pick swaps and give away their 2031 first-rounder, but how valuable would those really be if the Lakers could run out Doncic, Antetokounmpo, and Reaves for the next half-decade?
If the Lakers do any head-turning trades this summer, it feels like it’d be for a young center, like Utah’s Walker Kessler or Detroit’s Jalen Duren.
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