NBA rumors: Why Bucks still want Blazers to factor in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade no matter what

The focus of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga may be on potential destinations such as the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. The Milwaukee Bucks, though, reportedly have another franchise firmly on their radar: the Portland Trail Blazers.

According to The Stein Line, Milwaukee is highly motivated to involve Portland in any eventual Antetokounmpo blockbuster. It’s mainly because they control a significant portion of the Bucks’ long-term draft future. The roots of the situation trace back to the 2023 Damian Lillard trade.

With the Bucks now potentially entering a post-Giannis rebuild, those assets could become extremely valuable. As a result, Milwaukee’s front office is reportedly exploring multi-team trade frameworks. Those could allow it to reacquire some of that surrendered draft capital. Doing so would provide the organization with far greater flexibility if it chooses to rebuild following an Antetokounmpo trade.

The Bucks are also reportedly approaching the June 23 NBA Draft as though they will secure at least one additional first-round pick. Any trade involving Giannis would also require careful consideration of extension rules, salary matching, and long-term assurances from the acquiring team. That makes Portland’s involvement potentially critical to the overall structure of a deal.

Antetokounmpo’s legacy in Milwaukee is already among the greatest in franchise history. The Greek superstar has developed into a two-time MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year, an NBA champion, and a Finals MVP. His iconic 50-point performance in the 2021 NBA Finals delivered Milwaukee’s first championship in half a century and cemented his place among the most accomplished players of his generation.

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