Settle in. The fate of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will dominate your algorithm for at least one more spring and summer, whether you like it or not.
On Friday, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne did the lord’s work and reported heavily on where Antetokounmpo trade talks stand and why it might get even more complicated.
In her lengthy report, Shelburne relayed the Bucks’ asking price and what the Golden State Warriors offered at February’s trade deadline to acquire the two-time NBA MVP.
Multiple sources across the league said the Bucks’ asking price was enormous, with an executive from a third team describing the Bucks’ process as ‘gauging the market’ and their price as ‘all our draft picks and good young players,'” Shelburne wrote. “The Golden State Warriors’ offer included four unprotected first-round picks in pursuit of Antetokounmpo, sources said, but never seemed to gain much momentum on a deal.”
Shelburne added, “The players the Bucks did seem interested in were younger building blocks such as VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers or Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources said.”
Shelburne also quoted a source as saying that the Bucks could offer Antetokounmpo a max extension once he’s eligible in October and “dare him to turn it down.” That speaks to Antetokounmpo’s public reticence to demand a trade.
However, in late January, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, “Antetokounmpo has informed the Bucks for months that he believes the moment has come to part ways after 12-plus years together, making a trade increasingly possible.”
Antetokounmpo, 31, has seen his trade value diminish this season. The 10-time All-Star missed 15 straight games with a calf strain in late January and all of February, and he suffered a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise after an awkward fall on March 15. Per Charania, Antetokounmpo will be re-evaluated next week. Overall, Antetokounmpo has played in a career-low 36 games.
If Antetokounmpo leaves Milwaukee, he’ll always be a Bucks legend. He led the franchise to its first NBA championship since 1971. Antetokounmpo scored 50 points in Game 6 to defeat Phoenix and win the 2021 NBA Finals, and he was named 2021 NBA Finals MVP.
This season, Antetokounmpo has averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. The Bucks are 28-41 and all but eliminated from playoff contention.
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