Speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s departure from the Milwaukee Bucks gained momentum on Wednesday. According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, the Bucks are now seriously considering a trade.
The Bucks are considered to be “more open than ever” in league circles regarding a deal for Antetokounmpo. This appropriately brings a number of interested parties to the scene, but they have not just entered the poker game for the Greek superstar.
According to Sharania, the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference as well as the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors are considered serious candidates for Giannis’ future sporting home.
The Knicks’ name has been most persistently associated with the 31-year-old since the summer. Knicks expert Ian Begley (“SNY”) confirmed that Antetokounmpo’s preferred franchise for a change would “aggressively” pursue a deal. Begley also threw the Heat’s name into the ring.
According to “ESPN” first talks between the Bucks and the Knicks. At that time, Antetokounmpo signaled that Manhattan was “the only place” he wanted to play outside of Milwaukee.
Warriors ready to trade Butler?
Meanwhile, you can hear a changeable situation from San Francisco. On the one hand, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. emphasized after Jimmy Butler’s ACL tear that they had no plans to ship the superstar. “My vision is that he gives us a boost next season like he did when he came to us,” Dunleavy said.
Chris Mannix (“Sports Illustrated”) reported the opposite on Tuesday: The Dubs are ready for Giannis to put together a package around Butler, Jonathan Kuminga and a number of draft picks.
Spurs have no role in Giannis poker
On the other hand, a rumored Giannis buyer can probably be removed from the list of interested parties. “ESPN” expert Tim McMahon said on the “Hoop Collective” podcast that the San Antonio Spurs do not see themselves as a buyer for Antetokounmpo: “I’ve been told by Spurs people, ‘We’re not a home for Giannis.’ And that’s why there have been a lot of rumors since the summer, but in San Antonio it’s all about Wemby’s schedule. And bringing in someone like Giannis at his age is a full decade outside of that schedule.”
