The 1-3 Bucks are slumping, and with Khris Middleton still recovering from offseason ankle injuries, the quick future would not look promising for the 2021 NBA champions.
If issues proceed to go south, the leaguewide expectation is for Giannis Antetokounmpo to ask for a commerce. ESPN’s Shams Charania famous final week that groups are “carefully monitoring” the Antetokounmpo scenario and the way it performs out this season.
On Thursday, CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter dropped one other bombshell by reporting that Antetokounmpo “might be out there for commerce” as early because the Feb. 6 NBA commerce deadline.
“There is a rising sense of confidence that if issues go badly in Milwaukee, that Giannis might be out there for commerce, would actually pressure his means out of Milwaukee, within the subsequent 12 months,” Reiter mentioned. “One Western Convention exec thinks Giannis might be out there both earlier than the commerce deadline or [at the end of the season].”
The NBA insider named the Warmth and Nets the “Greek Freak’s” most well-liked locations if and when he asks out.
Reiter additional famous that head coach Doc Rivers’ rising affect inside the Bucks entrance workplace has ruffled some feathers, prompting one Japanese Convention govt to name the scenario “a multitude” in Milwaukee.
“There’s an actual sense throughout the NBA that Giannis, who turns 30 in December, may say, ‘it is not working. I do not need to belief my legacy to a mission that is not going to achieve success.’ And lots of people who covet him suppose he may pressure himself out of Milwaukee earlier than this season ends or by subsequent summer season.”
Whereas Reiter’s report named the Warmth and Nets because the two-time MVP’s most well-liked locations, the Warriors have reportedly coveted Antetokounmpo for years and could be ready to make a hail-mary supply if he turns into out there. There will likely be an all-out bidding battle for a generational expertise such because the Greek ahead.
Antetokounmpo is underneath contract by way of the 2027-28 season after signing a three-year extension final 12 months. As such, any group that pursues him will likely be getting him for the lengthy haul and will need to throw the kitchen sink at Milwaukee to drag off a commerce.
