The Milwaukee Bucks are on everyone’s lips after their monumental failure to fall in the first round of the playoffs despite finishing the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference (58-24).
With Giannis Antetokounmpo third in the MVP race, the team was loaded with talented stars and playoff contenders.
But they were eliminated by the eighth-ranked Miami Heat.
The Bucks reacted immediately by firing their coach, Mike Budenholzer, who led the team to a ring in the 2020-21 season, and that move by the franchise generated anger from some players, as the coach was dealing with some terrible personal situations off the court.
All eyes are now on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who still hasn’t recovered from the elimination and according to some reports, might feel his chances of winning the ring are better elsewhere.
Looking for a bigger market
If the Greek feels the team isn’t doing enough to build around him, he could consider other options.
Milwaukee is a small market compared to other NBA cities, and Antetokounmpo would not look unfavorably on playing for a team with a larger market to increase his exposure and branding opportunities.
As revealed by Brian Windhorst, a reputable ESPN reporter, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who ended up very frustrated after the first-round exit to the Heat, could refuse to re-sign with the team this summer.
“The Bucks are facing a very difficult situation this summer because they have guys in their 30s who need to get paid, and they have Giannis with a contract extension situation,” the journalist explains.
“It’s unlikely the Greek will extend his contract this summer.
“He’s got two years left, with everything that’s going on with the team, and the fact that there’s new ownership makes it very difficult.”
Possible destinations for Antetokounmpo have already begun to emerge.
Blazers star Damian Lillard wants the two-time MVP alongside him in Portland.
But the name that has emerged with more force in recent hours is that of the Warriors, that although his coach, Steve Kerr, and his star, Stephen Curry, do not recognize it, they need a reconstruction to return to opt for the ring and the masterpiece to give a blow to the table and shake the NBA market would be able to get Giannis Antetokounmpo.
An appetizing trade package for the Bucks
The operation would not be simple, it would be a large-scale trade whereby the Warriors could offer the Bucks in exchange for Antetokounmpo a pack that would include Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, a first-round pick in 2023 and a first-round pick in 2025.
With Khris Middleton a free agent, Brook Lopez potentially looking for top dollar elsewhere, and Giannis seemingly intrigued by the possibility of playing the style of game the Warriors employ, this trade could work for both sides.
Giannis wants his second NBA championship and joining the Warriors could be the best way to accomplish that.
He would fit in with the Warriors’ fast-paced game.
The Golden State Warriors already have two stars on their team in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but adding a superstar like Antetokounmpo, the NBA’s best physical specimen with averages of 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists, would make them heavy favorites for a ring next season.
There are few players in the NBA with the Greek’s ability to influence a team’s play both on defense and offense, where his versatility and speed would allow him to fit into the Warriors’ fast-paced game.
If Giannis does not extend his contract this summer with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Bucks would consider cashing in with a trade, and the best package would come from the Warriors, who can provide two cornerstones of the franchise, two first-round picks and a player in Draymond Green that they can keep for a year before his contract expires.
Giannis has all the power right now and if he decides not to stay in Milwaukee long-term, the Warriors will be on the prowl.
More physicality, points and defense for Golden State
The Warriors know they need more physicality, points and defense to get back to their unstoppable level and Giannis Antetokounmpo would give them all of that because of his traits and style of play.
His versatility and his ease to complement with other stars are points in his favor.
If the Warriors can put him together with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, they would become a fearsome team and the main candidates to win the championship.