With the NBA common season proper across the nook, Bucks celebrity Giannis Antetokounmpo is staying in Milwaukee, however his future is much from settled.
This offseason, it appeared like Antetokounmpo may have been on the transfer after the Bucks struggled to make a aggressive sequence with the Indiana Pacers within the first spherical, shedding in 5 video games.
Antetokounmpo contemplated his future in Milwaukee this offseason. Based on ESPN’s Shams Charania, that contemplation may have led to a brand new starting with the New York Knicks.
The Bucks thought of a number of commerce suitors for Antetokounmpo. Nonetheless, the 30-year-old celebrity from Greece solely had curiosity in leaving Milwaukee for New York Metropolis.
Charania reported that the Bucks and Knicks engaged in commerce talks for Antetokounmpo all through August. However traction on a deal by no means materialized because the Bucks have been apprehensive to commerce away a franchise legend to an Jap Convention foe.
Antetokounmpo has persistently utilized strain to the Bucks, repeatedly stating that he desires to win one other championship in Milwaukee. If the Greek Freak seems like he can’t win with the Bucks, he may have his eyes set on a brand new vacation spot.
There’s no denying that the Knicks are able to contend proper now. They’ve the fourth-best odds to win the NBA Championship and the second-best odds to win the Jap Convention.
Based on oddsmakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the one workforce that stands in New York’s means of creating it out of the East this season. Keep in mind, the Indiana Pacers will probably be with out Tyrese Haliburton and the Boston Celtics will probably be with out Jayson Tatum as a consequence of ruptured Achilles tendons.
The East is huge open for the taking. Which is why some pundits in New York will rip the Knicks for not pulling the set off on a deal to land Antetokounmpo within the Huge Apple.
However it takes two groups to tango. And in response to Charania’s reporting, the Bucks appeared fairly apprehensive to take part in commerce conversations although they understood that their relationship with their homegrown celebrity may very well be rocky.
Bucks common supervisor Jon Horst was in a position to transfer on from Damian Lillard, who simply didn’t work out in Milwaukee as a consequence of accidents. Then, Milwaukee added free agent massive man Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers. If the Bucks keep wholesome, there’s a world the place they will make some noise in a weakened Jap Convention.
Whereas it appears like Antetokounmpo definitely has his eyes on New York, profitable heals the whole lot. If the Knicks can win a title with out him, they’ll really feel like geniuses for not mortgaging their roster and their future for one participant.
Whereas if the Bucks make noise within the NBA postseason, Antetokounmpo may very well be satisfied that Milwaukee is a spot to contend.
It feels prefer it’s as much as the Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers – or another Jap Convention contender – to deal with enterprise earlier than Antetokounmpo groups up with Jalen Brunson.