WT: Giannis Antetokounmpo's Future With Bucks 'The Elephant In The Room' In NBA

[WuTang_OG]

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[MiamiSPX]

Giannis had said - publicly I might add - he will not every play for the Raptors. I see no reason for him to change his mind, and I think it's silly to pretend like Masai's connection to him is strong enough to somehow overlook the reality of the situation: He didn't want to be here in 2020 when we still had a solid enough core to put around him.

When did he say this? I believe it, I have just never heard about this.

[ShawnTO]

Giannis had said - publicly I might add - he will not every play for the Raptors. I see no reason for him to change his mind, and I think it's silly to pretend like Masai's connection to him is strong enough to somehow overlook the reality of the situation: He didn't want to be here in 2020 when we still had a solid enough core to put around him.

When did he say this? I believe it, I have just never heard about this.

I think Caz is referring to this clip on Serge's show at 16:36. Keep in mind, though, this was when Giannis was trying to get a max extension with the Bucks, so I wouldn't read too much into it. He also didn't want to say "false" in case the Raptors ever offered him a contract and he'd have to go back on his word.

Also props to Serge for trying to recruit for us years after leaving Toronto.

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[MiamiSPX]

Giannis had said - publicly I might add - he will not every play for the Raptors. I see no reason for him to change his mind, and I think it's silly to pretend like Masai's connection to him is strong enough to somehow overlook the reality of the situation: He didn't want to be here in 2020 when we still had a solid enough core to put around him.

When did he say this? I believe it, I have just never heard about this.

I think Caz is referring to this clip on Serge's show at 16:36. Keep in mind, though, this was when Giannis was trying to get a max extension with the Bucks, so I wouldn't read too much into it. He also didn't want to say "false" in case the Raptors ever offered him a contract and he'd have to go back on his word.

Also props to Serge for trying to recruit for us years after leaving Toronto.

Thanks.

[Pointgod]

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Other teams need to join together like the Avengers to keep this travesty from happening. Giannis and Wemby together is curtains for the league for a generation.

[Purple+Black]

When did he say this? I believe it, I have just never heard about this.

I think Caz is referring to this clip on Serge's show at 16:36. Keep in mind, though, this was when Giannis was trying to get a max extension with the Bucks, so I wouldn't read too much into it. He also didn't want to say "false" in case the Raptors ever offered him a contract and he'd have to go back on his word.

Also props to Serge for trying to recruit for us years after leaving Toronto.

Thanks.

I took that clip to mean the opposite, most players who are anti-Toronto wouldn’t even entertain the question or take it at its merit whereas Giannis actually didn’t want to answer false. To me that means he would consider Toronto.

I do believe that Masai has an excellent relationship with Giannis and that he is one of the few stars who actually values relationships. As well, Giannis has always contrasted American basketball culture to an extent (even see his remarks regarding Tyrese’s father in comparison to his own - the values he outlines are pretty much the same values most of the immigrant fanbase in Toronto carries). Masai wants Toronto to represent global basketball culture and Giannis is actually one of the few superstars who would align with that.

Again, not saying that this means he comes here - but it does mean he would think seriously about it if the opportunity arose. Masai would also have to line up a few complementary trades to convince Giannis we can quickly build a team around him that will contend - in a way, if you look at how we’ve collected assets and held onto our picks, Masai has always been positioning us to be able to do this. Read between the lines on all his recent pressers and you’ll see asset collection and flexibility to be his two priorities, essentially that means he wants to be able to position himself for a quick pivot if a superstar ever became available.

It’s all very much within the realm of possibility.

[Tripod]

You gotta wonder....if Masai thinks his job is on the line, does he swing for the fences this offseason.

It puts him in a great spot, either way:

1. He lands a big trade, making him harder to let go after just adding a legit star.

2. If he is let go, other teams know he still has "it" to add a star. And Masai doesn't have to worry about the Raps "future", if he overpays.

I think he makes a sneaky trade few see coming, but it won't be for the top tier stars, like a Giannis.

[MiamiSPX]

I think Caz is referring to this clip on Serge's show at 16:36. Keep in mind, though, this was when Giannis was trying to get a max extension with the Bucks, so I wouldn't read too much into it. He also didn't want to say "false" in case the Raptors ever offered him a contract and he'd have to go back on his word.

Also props to Serge for trying to recruit for us years after leaving Toronto.

Thanks.

I took that clip to mean the opposite, most players who are anti-Toronto wouldn’t even entertain the question or take it at its merit whereas Giannis actually didn’t want to answer false. To me that means he would consider Toronto.

I do believe that Masai has an excellent relationship with Giannis and that he is one of the few stars who actually values relationships. As well, Giannis has always contrasted American basketball culture to an extent (even see his remarks regarding Tyrese’s father in comparison to his own - the values he outlines are pretty much the same values most of the immigrant fanbase in Toronto carries). Masai wants Toronto to represent global basketball culture and Giannis is actually one of the few superstars who would align with that.

Again, not saying that this means he comes here - but it does mean he would think seriously about it if the opportunity arose. Masai would also have to line up a few complementary trades to convince Giannis we can quickly build a team around him that will contend - in a way, if you look at how we’ve collected assets and held onto our picks, Masai has always been positioning us to be able to do this. Read between the lines on all his recent pressers and you’ll see asset collection and flexibility to be his two priorities, essentially that means he wants to be able to position himself for a quick pivot if a superstar ever became available.

It’s all very much within the realm of possibility.

I don't dispute any of that but the huge sticking point to your theory is that Masai only has 1 season left on his contract.

[douggood]

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i dont know where they got 36 picks from

its closer to 20

and in reality only 1sts matter

and they have 2 extra 1sts, the hawks 1st this year(projected 14) and hawks 1st in 2027
have a couple swaps though. atl in 26, bos 28, 30 swap (complicated), 31 swap kings.

so max tradeable is 6 1sts

[Landomar]

San Antonio can offer Castle, Sochan, Johnson, Barnes, and a bunch of 1st rounders. That's matches salary with Giannis, and probably can outbid whatever other teams would be willing to give up. San Antonio should definitely try to do this.

Wembanyama
Giannis
Champagnie
Vassell
Fox

That's really good. They'd also be able to use the MLE to try to get an upgrade on Champagnie for the starting lineup, could bring back Chris Paul, and find some veteran minimum ring chaser types to round out the bench.

[KL78192020]

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i dont know where they got 36 picks from

its closer to 20

and in reality only 1sts matter

and they have 2 extra 1sts, the hawks 1st this year(projected 14) and hawks 1st in 2027
have a couple swaps though. atl in 26, bos 28, 30 swap (complicated), 31 swap kings.

so max tradeable is 6 1sts

The Spurs own first would also be pretty terrible picks, late first round if they got Giannis.

[Tor_Raps]

Rarely does a play ever get traded for equal value, a lot of those trade offers will look hilarious in hindsight.

Giannis will obviously control where he'd most likely go unless he holds the Bucks hostage like Dame did with only 1 team.

[tdotrep2]

The spurs started tanking the same year we traded for jak, they could potentially have acquired Wemby, Giannis & fox within the time we were trying for play ins.

[LiSTWithLani]

The spurs started tanking the same year we traded for jak, they could potentially have acquired Wemby, Giannis & fox within the time we were trying for play ins.

Worse yet, at the time that they selected Wemby, they were 8th in the draft lottery.
At the time that we traded for Poeltl, guess who was in the 8th worst spot in the league at that time?

So my alternative universe has us selecting Wemby 1st overall by trading away Fred for Grayson Allen (rumoured at the time) and resting starters.

Wemby/ Koloko/ Achiuwa
Siakam/ Mogbo
Anunoby/ Porter Jr
Trent/ Allen/ Lawson
Barnes/ Shead

I think that we still could have drafted Scottie's good buddy late in the first and picked up Shead in the second. Lawson came from the GLeague, so that's also plausible. We'd still need big man depth and guards that can light it up, but man on man!

[navyblue]

The spurs started tanking the same year we traded for jak, they could potentially have acquired Wemby, Giannis & fox within the time we were trying for play ins.

Worse yet, at the time that they selected Wemby, they were 8th in the draft lottery.
At the time that we traded for Poeltl, guess who was in the 8th worst spot in the league at that time?

So my alternative universe has us selecting Wemby 1st overall by trading away Fred for Grayson Allen (rumoured at the time) and resting starters.

Wemby/ Koloko/ Achiuwa
Siakam/ Mogbo
Anunoby/ Porter Jr
Trent/ Allen/ Lawson
Barnes/ Shead

I think that we still could have drafted Scottie's good buddy late in the first and picked up Shead in the second. Lawson came from the GLeague, so that's also plausible. We'd still need big man depth and guards that can light it up, but man on man!

In an alternate universe 86% chance you don't get wemby.

[wegotthabeet]

The spurs started tanking the same year we traded for jak, they could potentially have acquired Wemby, Giannis & fox within the time we were trying for play ins.

Fox isn't a difference maker. Just another dude.

[tsherkin]

The spurs started tanking the same year we traded for jak, they could potentially have acquired Wemby, Giannis & fox within the time we were trying for play ins.

Fox isn't a difference maker. Just another dude.

True that.

[TorontoBarneys]

Just to throw some cold water on this topic - Giannis may be considering the Raps but he can take one look at Ingram right now who's under his own significant recovery process and see deja vu alarms lighting up like with the Dame situation. Scottie and picks very likely outgoing means that Giannis has to bank on his co-star/robin being healthy enough to make any waves in the '26 postseason, and Ingram is probably an overall downgrade from Lillard.

I think he goes to Houston, personally.

[Gavin_TDThree]

Bring him home

https://raptorsrapture.com/giannis-antetokounmpo-applauds-raptors-star-ability-improve-team-play-scottie-barnes

[tsherkin]

Just to throw some cold water on this topic - Giannis may be considering the Raps but he can take one look at Ingram right now who's under his own significant recovery process and see deja vu alarms lighting up like with the Dame situation. Scottie and picks very likely outgoing means that Giannis has to bank on his co-star/robin being healthy enough to make any waves in the '26 postseason, and Ingram is probably an overall downgrade from Lillard.

I think he goes to Houston, personally.

I struggle with Houston as a destination. They have little offense, and would have to give up a bunch of what they have to even get Giannis. It doesn't seem like a good destination for him either.