NBA rumors: Insiders dump cold water on Blazers’ Giannis Antetokounmpo trade chances

As of this writing, Giannis Antetokounmpo is still with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Tomorrow, however, is uncertain, as trade rumors involving Antetokounmpo continue to heat up heading into next month’s NBA Draft. As the days go by, it has become increasingly clear that the two-time MVP has reached a point of no return with the Bucks.

He could find himself in a new city very soon. But where? Multiple teams have shown serious interest in the 31-year-old superstar, even though he comes with a hefty price tag.

The Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Orlando Magic, and the Portland Trail Blazers are being linked to Antetokounmpo.

The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Eric Nehm, however, have excluded the Trail Blazers from the Greek Freak Sweepstakes due to the “widely held belief” that Antetokounmpo wants to remain in the Eastern Conference.

“To that end, the Portland possibility, which has become such a focal point, is, per league sources, unlikely given Antetokounmpo’s preference to play in the East,” said Amick and Nehm.

The Trail Blazers have been tagged as a prime suitor of the one-time champion, as new owner Tom Dundon might want to make a mark in his first offseason with the team. Jerami Grant and draft assets are reportedly being offered by Portland to the Bucks.

Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer was not quick to dismiss the Trail Blazers’ chances of landing the 10-time All-Star.

“For all the noise, for all the speculation, I think Miami and Portland are still the two teams that I am most focused on when it comes to trying to understand the developing market for Giannis. But it’s very early,” said Fischer.

He noted that if Antetokounmpo wants to win a second ring, he might want to stay in the Eastern Conference.

The post NBA rumors: Insiders dump cold water on Blazers’ Giannis Antetokounmpo trade chances appeared first on ClutchPoints.