More than a few trade scenarios have already popped up from the time Giannis Antetokounmpo strongly hinted at the possibility of leaving the Milwaukee Bucks. In fact, you could argue that the former back-to-back MVP didn’t only hint at the prospect of walking away, but that he actually declared his intention to jump ship if and when the right opportunity to win another championship comes along.
At this point, you can’t help but wonder if Antetokounmpo is actually laying the groundwork for a sensational move away from the Bucks in the near future.
NBA Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo Doing the Milwaukee Bucks a Favor?
NBA insider Zach Lowe seems to believe so. The renowned league source recently spoke about this exact prospect in a recent episode of his podcast. According to Lowe, not only is Giannis potentially paving the way for his departure, but at the same time, the Bucks could actually be open to the prospect of trading him away:
“Let’s say that [Milwaukee doesn’t win a championship this season], then you get to the offseason he’s got one guaranteed year left on his contract everyone that you just mentioned is one year older he has already told you that. ‘If I don’t think this team can win big, win all the way I’m going to go somewhere else,'” Lowe said (h/t Yakshpat Bhargava of Basketball Network). “Whatever you think is a disappointing Bucks season, I think they actually might trade him, and I think part of the reason why Giannis is being so out there about this is almost doing the Bucks a favor in that sense that they will have that clarity.”
According to Lowe, Antetkounmpo could actually be helping Milwaukee with his comments by creating the narrative of his imminent exit. This way, the Bucks wouldn’t look like the villains if they actually decide to trade him next summer. After all, this appears to be what Antetkounmpo wants in the first place.
If you think about it, this scenario actually makes a lot of sense. It’s a win-win for all parties involved. Antetokounmpo gets to join a new team where he feels he has a better chance of winning a title — but not before he gave the Bucks a one-year warning. For their part, Milwaukee parts ways with their cornerstone superstar without looking like they’re betraying him. In this proposed blockbuster trade, the Bucks will also get a monumental haul that should be enough to either keep them relevant in the interim or to kick off a full rebuild.
Everybody wins, I guess?
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