With the NBA offseason looming, the Milwaukee Bucks won't be able to duck the continuing Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors.
Oh, deer.
With the on-floor action paused and the offseason looming, speak of the Greek Freak and his future will once again amplify. Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks has long been in flux and the team is probably back on the phone now that the Larry O'Brien Trophy has been awarded. Clarity could well be found by the time the league convenes in Brooklyn for the NBA Draft (June 23-24) though discussions about his future will no doubt dominate the offseason chatter.
With Antetokounmpo back in the news, BIL gets an early jump on the proceedings by analyzing a trio of top destinations ...
Boston Celtics
The Greek in green? If there's a team that would certainly generate deafening headlines with such a deal, it'd be the Celtics.
The Celtics certainly aren't known to engage in boring offseasons with Brad Stevens at the helm and last season was no exception upon engaging in a mini teardown that bid farewell to champions like Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis. Despite a disappointing opening round loss to Philadelphia, Boston is back among the buyers after handling most of its business while Jayson Tatum was out. It could use a physical force of nature like Antetokounmpo after getting bullied in the post by Andre Drummond and Joel Embiid.
While the Celtics would likely have to redraw their playbook upon his arrival, Antetokounmpo would no doubt allow them to his refresh on their championship document. Boston likely has the most attractive package to offer Milwaukee, one where the Bucks can linger in contention ... but it would likely cost them Jaylen Brown, who lingered in the rumor mill until they got off to a strong Tatum-less start. The Celtics have had no issue in mortgaging their future to lengthen their title prospects and Antetokounmpo would put them in an instant spot to dethrone the regular season (Detroit) and postseason (New York) victors.
Miami Heat
The hardwood jesters no doubt appreciate the Heat and its role in one of the most reliable recurring gags in Association memory: South Beach took its talents to the Play-In bracket for the fourth consecutive season, falling to the Charlotte Hornets in the opening round.
Comedy currency, however, has no worth on the franchise ledgers. The Heat's pre-playoff residency is the endgame for failing trying to split the lanes of contention and rebuilding, an endeavor that traded Jimmy Butler but welcomed in Norman Powell. Trading for Antetokounmpo would no doubt put them in a place to at least contend for one of the six automatic Eastern spots again.
How much of a Miami slice it would take remains to be seen: the Heat are not exactly rife with draft picks (though it holds the 13th overall choice this time around and play-in losers will soon be invited to the draft lottery) and any package would likely be headlined by sharpshooter and Wisconsin native Tyler Herro and developing interior threat Kel'el Ware. If Milwaukee wants the similarly-skilled Bam Adebayo, suddenly the Heat is no better off than when it started whether Antetokounmpo comes over or not. It's a risky maneuver but one that the Heat may have no choice but to light.
New York Knicks
Old habits die hard, as it'll probably take more than one title to fully spin the Knicks out of the offseason rumor mills. A good bit of the Antetokounmpo gossip has gone through Manhattan, including last summer's rumor that he took "New York or Nowhere" as far more than a fashion statement.
If there's any lingering doubt about Karl-Anthony Towns' metropolitan longevity, this is the time to address it: the Knicks are in prime position to retain the starting five that guided the franchise to its first championship in 53 years but have a decision to make when it comes to the $272 million extension on his 31-year-old table.
No one in their right metropolitan mind is worried about the fact that Towns averaged the worst scoring and 3-point numbers since his rookie season. Towns regained his physical mojo and then some in the playoffs and Finals, even if the foul whistle followed him a little too closely. But if the Knicks suddenly get cold feet about his future prospects, the Bucks would likely be the first to know about it, even if going from Towns to the slightly-older Antetokounmpo would be a lateral move at best.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
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