Just like the Milwaukee Bucks tumbling down the rankings, the doomsday situation of Giannis Antetokounmpo requesting a commerce continues to realize momentum.
If the Bucks do not flip issues round shortly, the two-time MVP winner might search for greener pastures. It could be a second consecutive disappointing season. Given the ages and costly contracts of Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, Milwaukee might discover itself in a troublesome state of affairs that would drive a league-altering determination.
The excitement continues to get louder and louder with every Bucks loss. The NBA world loves its cleaning soap operas. Antetokounmpo’s commerce deal could be as juicy as a deal revealed on “Days of Our Lives.”
It may be sickening for the Bucks to appreciate this, nevertheless it seems like they’re on the proper path towards Antetokounmpo’s potential departure. The 30-year-old spent 12 seasons in Milwaukee. He received a franchise championship in 2021. Given his age and heavy reliance on exterior athletics, he most likely is aware of the clock is ticking on him nonetheless being a prime participant of the league.
A preferred option to be Antetokounmpo’s new group is the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The Thunder are off to their greatest begin in franchise historical past. That is simply the second yr of an extended championship window led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. A treasure trove of draft picks and younger prospects makes OKC the favored selection for any celebrity who may ask for it over the following couple of years.
There isn’t any doubt that Antetokounmpo would make the Thunder graduate from A favourite title to THE favourite title. Pairing two of the 5 greatest gamers within the league will accomplish this. However ought to the Thunder money in all their chips for The Greek Freak? No, not but no less than.
Traditionally, the Thunder have by no means been ones to seize headlines for wins. The small-market franchise has relied totally on native expertise to steer its workforce. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Holmgren and Williams have been all drafted by OKC. Gilgeous-Alexander spent his first yr with the LA Clippers however turned a celebrity within the Thunder.
It could go towards their id to go chasing large stars with Antetokounmpo – even when it is extraordinarily tempting to take action. Whereas a deal should not be utterly dominated out but, the Thunder will doubtless desire to see how their star trio performs once more within the playoffs this yr earlier than making a drastic transfer.
Antetokounmpo will definitely enhance this roster however the price will likely be heavy. The Thunder ought to most likely commerce one among Holmgren or Williams, if not each. That does not even bear in mind the extremely wealthy buying and selling capital he’ll doubtless have to surrender. This could be a state of affairs the place OKC mortgaged its long-term future for a brief window – a la Steve Ballmer’s Clippers.
Antetokounmpo would enhance the Thunder’s title window vertically however considerably lower it horizontally. He’s solely beneath contract for 2 extra seasons with a $62.8 million participant possibility for 2027-28. The choice aligns with Gilgeous-Alexander’s present deal – barring a supermax extension this offseason.
Just like the Clippers’ state of affairs with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, this could give OKC a assured two-season window with Gilgeous-Alexander and Antetokounmpo. The Thunder have to be extraordinarily assured of their potential to win a championship in these two playoff collection.
Nonetheless, if the Thunder have their means, they would like a number of championship photographs with Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Williams moderately than a direct, high-pressure two-year window with Antetokounmpo. The place each loss seems like the top of the world and each win means they’re on their method to a championship.
That is why – as issues at present stand – it might be impractical to commerce for Antetokounmpo. It could be higher to attend and see what OKC’s trio of Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Williams will appear like once more within the playoffs.
The Bucks will doubtless have the identical line of considering. It is uncommon for superstars of the caliber of the two-time MVP to be traded mid-season. As a substitute, Milwaukee will play this yr and see if they’ll seize lightning in a bottle with their present roster.
In any other case, Antetokounmpo might look elsewhere, with one among his new favourite spots being on the Thunder.
This text was initially printed on OKC Thunder Wire: Ought to the OKC Thunder commerce for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
