‘Whole League Is Going To Change’ — NBA Analyst Weighs In on Aftermath of Bucks’ Eventual Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
· Yahoo Sports
The trade discussion surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo refuses to slow down as the two-time MVP appears to be nearing the end of his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks after a tumultuous season.
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The ripple effect of Antetokounmpo’s move will be something to keep an eye on, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst.
How a Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Could Shift the NBA’s Balance of Power
Milwaukee’s internally set deadline to decide on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future reportedly arrives before Tuesday’s NBA Draft, meaning the next few days could be pivotal for both the franchise and the rest of the league.
A blockbuster trade involving the MVP could happen at any moment, which would potentially bring one of the NBA’s biggest ongoing storylines to a dramatic conclusion.
Much of the discussion about a potential Antetokounmpo trade has focused on which team would emerge as the winner.
Still, Windhorst believes the implications would stretch far beyond just the franchises directly involved.
“The whole league to a certain extent is going to change when Giannis is moved,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Friday.
“I do believe he [Antetokounmpo] will be moved,” Windhorst continued. “When that happens, there’s going to be a change in the balance of power. The team that acquires him is going to become, on some level, a contender. And so that’s why we spend all of this time paying attention to it.”
The race for Antetokounmpo has reportedly narrowed primarily to the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics, but the Orlando Magic have also been mentioned as a potential dark-horse destination.
Under contract through 2027, any team trading for him would be making a massive commitment and risk if he ultimately decides he does not want to remain there long term.
The decision facing Milwaukee could define its direction in the upcoming years, as rushing into a trade simply to meet a self-imposed deadline could result in the team accepting less value than a player of his caliber deserves.
Windhorst also highlighted the immense complexity involved in negotiating a deal of this magnitude.
“When you’re trading a player that makes $50 million in this modern day and age, it is extraordinarily complicated,” Windhorst said.
“That is why it’s very tedious. But every single day that goes by these negotiations, it’s because there’s so much stakes. There’s so much skin in the game. And that’s why we talk about it every day.”
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Meanwhile, NBA insider Jake Fischer of “The Stein Line” reported that Bucks general manager Jon Horst has established an exceptionally high asking price for Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee is reportedly seeking a substantial return package that could leave any team acquiring Antetokounmpo with too few assets to build a legitimate championship contender around him.