So…Giannis is Definitely Going to Demand a Trade Right?

[ForeverTFC]

So basically Shams was right. Again. Exact same scenario we saw play out with Butler in Miami when his agent was trying to discredit Shams. It was pretty obvious in both cases the Shams was right and the parties involved were just frustrated that he got the scoop.

Shams is never wrong on this stuff. His entire brand is built on the highest quality, highest impact leaks. In fact, MOST of the rumors we hear in the media are not wrong. Mischaracterized or blown out of proportion? For sure happens at times. Completely baseless? very rarely if it's coming from a serious reporter.

[DaGawd]

Read on Twitter

?s=20

favors the knicks if accurate

[Marvin Martian]

ATL should be allowed over this. Either Trae or Johnson goes the other way and make sure to keep the Pels pick

[ForeverTFC]

ATL should be allowed over this. Either Trae or Johnson goes the other way and make sure to keep the Pels pick

Then he's not going to ATL....

[OriginalRed]

Unless Giannis demands a trade to the Lakers and says he will not suit up for anyone besides them, the Bucks won't send him there. With Giannis gone, they're going into full rebuild mode and need either a very young potential superstar like Flagg or a haul of picks, especially in this year's draft. Austin Reaves is their most valuable trade piece and while he's certainly now a star, he's also 27 years old and is not a number one option on a championship team. The Lakers picks are worthless with Luka on the roster so they have nothing the Bucks would want.

Hilariously enough, one of the only teams that has what the Bucks are looking for and can still be competitive after trading for him is OKC. They have a strong chance at getting a top pick in this year's draft which is among the deepest in recent history and only have to give up a combination of IHart, Dort, and another bench player to match salaries.

[shtolky]

I think it's pretty simple. If he says he wants to go to the Knicks, he's going to the Knicks. He's got that type of superstar cred around the league (obviously), but more importantly he's been integral to all things Bucks for 12 years and he brought them a championship, meaning they'll almost assuredly accommodate him. One way or another, it would get done, but maybe Giannis isn't as into the Knicks as reported or sees a better scenario out there for him. Will be incredibly interesting and I don't think this lasts more than a couple of weeks.

[Kiss of Death]

Trade destination power rankings:

1 - Atlanta
2 - OKC
3 - Houston
4 - San Antonio
5 - Miami

Those are the only teams the Bucks should be talking to.

Atlanta: Maybe. Trae Young won’t bring the Bucks a championship, but he will sell tickets for a season or two.

OKC: No. They won’t trade SGA. Chet & JWill are poison pill contracts. Other than a couple good picks next season, their other future picks are their own or protected from other teams. They could maybe throw 7 or 8 picks into the trade and just win with quantity over quality.

Houston: No. Hard to make salaries work without Sengun or Durant. Jabari is poison pill. Have great pick assets though, so maybe they get involved as a third team.

San Antonio: Maybe. They would have to include Harper, Castle and a bunch of picks. Would they do that for someone who doesn’t fit Wemby’s timeline? It worked for Houston this year, so maybe they do.

Miami: Doubtful. I doubt Herro or Bam has that kind of value. They only have their own picks, which won’t be worth much with Giannis there. A third team could come in to add pick value though.

Here’s what I see:

Detroit: Ausar and/or Duren. Lots of picks.
Toronto: Barnes, picks.
Orlando: Franz/Banchero, picks.

East teams but Bucks won’t be competitive anytime soon anyways.

[Shock Defeat]

Giannis would be a dumbass to go to the west. It's a bloodbath over there. It's also further from Europe. He's going to an East team and that's probably NY

[MrIrrelevant]

You absolutely cannot stay with your girlfriend for too long if it just isn't working out. See the writing on the wall and move on; it's better for both sides. This should have happened in the summer. Houston and Spurs are the obvious destinations but I think Giannis stays in the East. An underwhelming NY package is the final deal IMO.

[Archx]

favors the knicks if accurate

This is from ESPN.

Over the offseason, Antetokounmpo explored external options and was open to playing for one team outside of Milwaukee -- the New York Knicks -- as a potential trade home. Sources described it as an exclusive negotiating window for the Knicks over a multiweek period in August, but that will not be the case moving forward.

You sure he would still prefer the Knicks over anyone else? To me it reads like he's open to other options as well.

[tmorgan]

If he’s willing to go to Detroit (seems unlikeky) and Detroit is willing to part with Cade’s friend Duren (no idea if this is likely)…

Duren, Ivey, Tobias, LeVert and a pick package (the picks aren’t high value, only have own firsts).

If it’s New York, as reported, what do they have to offer Milwaukee that the Bucks actually want? Surely not KAT, and they won’t trade Brunson.

[Castle Black]

He's going to the Knicks. It's not even a question of which team can make better offers. Many can. It's about where Giannis wants to go, and where the league benefits the most. The Knicks in the Finals will benefit the league. This is the end game. We'll look back and say "how did the Knicks pull that off by only giving up KAT and whatever?" as if it was a decision made by a GM. This is Adam Silver's NBA, for better or worse.

It would have to be a massive gift for the Knicks to get Giannis. KAT, Bridges, and a late FRP or two isn't enough. Other teams can make better offers.

[MrIrrelevant]

If it’s New York, as reported, what do they have to offer Milwaukee that the Bucks actually want? Surely not KAT, and they won’t trade Brunson.

Yeah I'm only seeing Mikal Bridges, 2024 1st round pick Pacome Dadiet, and maybe a 1st round pick and 1st round pick swap? A valuable lesson to not wait until the very end to trade a guy if it isn't working out.

[HMFFL]

If he’s willing to go to Detroit (seems unlikeky) and Detroit is willing to part with Cade’s friend Duren (no idea if this is likely)…

Duren, Ivey, Tobias, LeVert and a pick package (the picks aren’t high value, only have own firsts).

If it’s New York, as reported, what do they have to offer Milwaukee that the Bucks actually want? Surely not KAT, and they won’t trade Brunson.

Trajan Langdon has a good thing going. I would hope he would do what it takes to not have to include Jalen Duren.

[tmorgan]

If he’s willing to go to Detroit (seems unlikeky) and Detroit is willing to part with Cade’s friend Duren (no idea if this is likely)…

Duren, Ivey, Tobias, LeVert and a pick package (the picks aren’t high value, only have own firsts).

If it’s New York, as reported, what do they have to offer Milwaukee that the Bucks actually want? Surely not KAT, and they won’t trade Brunson.

Trajan Langdon has a good thing goind. I would hope he would do what it takes to not have to include Jalen Duren.

I don’t see it, though. Without Duren, any offer would gut the team. And the Giannis/Duren fit is sketchy anyway. Stew fits way better with GA.

[BigGargamel]

He's going to the Knicks. It's not even a question of which team can make better offers. Many can. It's about where Giannis wants to go, and where the league benefits the most. The Knicks in the Finals will benefit the league. This is the end game. We'll look back and say "how did the Knicks pull that off by only giving up KAT and whatever?" as if it was a decision made by a GM. This is Adam Silver's NBA, for better or worse.

It would have to be a massive gift for the Knicks to get Giannis. KAT, Bridges, and a late FRP or two isn't enough. Other teams can make better offers.

The Bucks aren't going to get a Godfather package. They would have 1 or 2 years ago, but not anymore. They're going to send Giannis to where he wants to go, and probably get an offer like the one you mentioned in return.

[Marvin Martian]

ATL should be allowed over this. Either Trae or Johnson goes the other way and make sure to keep the Pels pick

Then he's not going to ATL....

Why? Trae or Johnson is a better asset than anything NYK has aside from Brunson

[SK21209]

He's going to the Knicks. It's not even a question of which team can make better offers. Many can. It's about where Giannis wants to go, and where the league benefits the most. The Knicks in the Finals will benefit the league. This is the end game. We'll look back and say "how did the Knicks pull that off by only giving up KAT and whatever?" as if it was a decision made by a GM. This is Adam Silver's NBA, for better or worse.

It would have to be a massive gift for the Knicks to get Giannis. KAT, Bridges, and a late FRP or two isn't enough. Other teams can make better offers.

We've seen this playbook before, it's not about who can make the best offer. When the player in question is relatively close to being extension eligible, it's about who can make the best offer among the teams with whom the player is willing to extend. If Giannis says that's only the Knicks, well the Bucks are in quite a bind. They could call his bluff and send him elsewhere, but no one is giving up a haul for him if Giannis is adamant he's not re-signing anywhere except the Knicks. When the Blazers/Heat did this over Dame it wasn't until Dame relented and added the Bucks to his list that a deal got done. I think the Bucks are going to be more willing to accommodate Giannis's wish here, provided the Knicks aren't complete dicks about it.

[MrIrrelevant]

I think on Dec 15, Bucks can trade Giannis to the Knicks for OG/Dadiet/Yabusele/McBride/Backup C/couple FRPs.

[Exp0sed]

Giannis would be a Knick by Xmas and..we have a new contender