Is Giannis Antetokounmpo Done in Milwaukee?

Scott Long

9/7/20

Throughout the 2020 season, rumblings of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s possible desire to get out of Milwaukee have been widespread. Such is the case when you are the reigning NBA MVP, who is likely to win it again this year, on a team that has been successful during the regular season but has yet to prove it can take the next step.

Antetokounmpo averaged 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. He’s already been named the Defensive Player of the Year and is expected to win the MVP for the second straight year. However, the knock on him so far has been his inability to shoot from behind the three point line, and as a result of this, once the playoffs have come around each year, teams have been leaving him open from distance and double covering him inside, forcing him to shoot the ball or pass it. The other issue is because Khris Middleton is the team’s only other star he is expected to step up during the playoffs, but his level of play has dropped once the playoffs begin each year. Since the Bucks secondary players are not doing enough to strike fear into opponents, they are smothering Antetokounmpo and forcing others to beat them, and that strategy has been effective. The Miami Heat have mastered this strategy with Jimmy Butler slowing him down on the perimeter, and Bam Adebayo helping in the paint to prevent Antetokounmpo from being a huge factor. This strategy has led the Heat to a 3-1 lead, with the Bucks on the brink of elimination, leading the rumors to swirl even more than ever that Antetokounmpo may be done with the Bucks.

Antetokounmpo has one year left on his contract, but any are speculating that he may request a trade, or even hold out if his request isn’t granted. The Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors are the three teams that have been most oft linked to acquiring Antetokounmpo, but others could enter the bidding as well if he were to be made available. Miami represents an interesting possibility because they are currently up on the Bucks 3-1 in the series, which would likely mean Antetokounmpo would be joining the team that he couldn’t beat. This team would feature three star defensive players with Antetokounmpo, Butler and Adebayo, and would combine that with strong shooters on the outside including: Goran Dragic, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn. Antetokounmpo would not be the first player that left for the Heat as Butler left Philadelphia last offseason to join Miami, and in 2010 LeBron James and Chris Bosh both signed as free agents to team up with Dwayne Wade.

Similarly to Miami, Golden State is familiar with wooing a star player away, as they were able to add Kevin Durant in 2016 after they went 73-9 and lost in the NBA Finals. Despite Durant’s departure last offseason, the core of Golden State’s title runs remains in place as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are still on the roster. Unlike Miami, the Warriors are cap strapped, so in order to get Antetokounmpo it would likely have to be this offseason via trade rather than waiting for free agency. With Andrew Wiggins and his large contract, they have a piece that could make the salary swap work, and they also possess the first pick in the 2020 NBA Draft so they have a valuable asset to start off trade talks with. Even without Antetokounmpo, Golden State figures to return to the playoffs next season with Curry and Thompson returning from injuries, adding the MVP will only make them more lethal contenders.

Of all the teams heavily rumored to be involved, Toronto may seem the most unlikely, as over the years they have struggled to recruit free agents. After trading for Kawhi Leonard the team won the NBA Finals in 2019, yet he left as a free agent, making many believe the team would struggle to rebound. However, the young core featuring Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, along with veteran leadership of Kyle Lowry, lead the team to the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. If Antetokounmpo does not mind playing outside of the United States, Toronto possesses one of the most well coached teams in the league, with loads of young talent and championship experience, which could lead to a nice marriage. The only thing Toronto currently lacks is a superstar, and the league has already seen what they can do when they have one after Leonard lead them to a title last season, making Antetokounmpo to Toronto one of the most appealing destinations.

Regardless of Antetokounmpo’s decision, the discussion figures to dominate this offseason. Even if he opts to stick this season out in Milwaukee, talks will remain all season, as anything less than a Finals appearance will likely result in his departure as a free agent next offseason. No matter what he decided, whatever he team ends up playing for will likely end up a serious title contender entering next season.