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To deal (Giannis Antetokounmpo) or not to deal …
That is the question for Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst as the deadline nears.
As of Monday evening, the offers coming the Bucks’ way for the “Greek Freak” were still believed to be so underwhelming — in the eyes of rival executives and agents — that this saga looks likely to extend into the summertime.
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After all, this elaborate fact-finding mission is still meaningful for the Bucks when it comes to understanding Antetokounmpo’s market — no matter when (or if) he’s dealt.
“This has been like ‘General Hospital’ back in the days — the longest running drama ever,” one league executive joked.
Anyone with a keyboard and John Hollinger’s old trade machine can see that there are no “ The Godfather” offers to be found from the rosters of the top suitors (Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and New York Knicks). These have the makings of “The Godfather Part III” packages, considering the full scope of Antetokounmpo’s eventual impact (his concerning right calf strain be darned).
The mere fact that some see the Warriors as a front-runner here is quite telling.
If the Warriors’ best offer, as many suspect, is four first-round picks and a first-round swap alongside Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, then how can Horst turn to Bucks fans and sell a story of survival in the post-Antetokounmpo era? Ditto for the packages most often discussed with the Heat, Knicks and Timberwolves.
On the flip side, the fact that these teams are choosing to stay in the hunt — and yes, per a team source, that still includes the Knicks — is revealing. There’s sometimes an internal price to pay to be part of this high-profile process.
As great as Antetokounmpo is, the harsh reality is that every player tied to trade proposals because of his availability is likely displeased to be part of that discussion. It’s one thing to be a role player who might be included in this kind of deal, but landing a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber — and cost — means that foundational players are almost assuredly, and unexpectedly, sent packing.
To that point, league sources say Green and his camp are well aware that the prospect of him being sent to Milwaukee is very real. As our Nick Friedell reported on Monday, Jimmy Butler has been given strong indications that the Warriors plan to “stick by him as he begins a year-long rehab” from his recently torn ACL. And if Butler isn’t in the proposed deal — based on the economics and league rules — then Green is.
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What’s more, league sources say the Bucks are known to be prioritizing impact players in talks and, as such, would prefer a healthy player like Green as opposed to one in Butler who likely won’t return until midway through next season. As for Green, the chance remains — if the Warriors found a way to pull this off — that he might push his way to another team or, perhaps, go the free agency route this summer (he has a player option for $27.6 million for next season).
For the Timberwolves’ part, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Monday that they’re on the lookout for a third or fourth team to help improve their offer. The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski detailed why Minnesota is very much in this Giannis race.
The Warriors and every other suitor should hope the Timberwolves don’t find any help from different teams, as the prospect of them offering Jaden McDaniels and additional draft capital (on top of what they currently have) might be enough to change this conversation.
Or maybe the Bucks do all this recon and then reconvene a few months from now, when proposals will be more plentiful and the playoffs inevitably inspire even more interest among the would-be suitors who fell short.