The Portland Trail Blazers are ready to pursue trading for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, with the caveat that he must be open to signing with them long term. This was recently reported by Bill Oram of The Oregonian/OregonLive, who adds that the Blazers "are not likely to limit their options to Lillard's former Milwaukee teammate."
Blazers could cash in their chips for Giannis this summer
Thanks to the Damian Lillard trade that backfired spectacularly for the Bucks, the Blazers are in a prime position to capitalize on the seemingly inevitable Giannis sweepstakes this summer.
If Milwaukee were to ultimately trade its superstar, it would make sense to embrace a full-on rebuild and roster teardown. However, that's a difficult task without possession of their own future draft capital, as they have no incentive to bottom out. That gives Portland key leverage, making them arguably the team best-equipped to put together a Giannis package.
In fact, on his podcast, Bill Simmons ranked Portland as the second most likely team to acquire Giannis, behind only the New York Knicks.
The Blazers are clearly open to pairing Giannis with his former teammates, and they also have the assets to make that dream a reality. But now, it's only a matter of convincing the Greek Freak to come to the Pacific Northwest.
Portland still needs Giannis to sign off
During the never-ending trade rumors leading up to February's deadline, it was made clear that Giannis has no desire to come to Portland. That presents a major risk for the Blazers, considering they could sacrifice significant assets to acquire what could turn out to be a one-year rental.
Giannis has a $62.8 million player option in 2027-28 that he could decline to join a bigger market. That's why it's wise for the Blazers to wait and see if Giannis actually wants to be here, but it's also why they shouldn't be considered the favorite to land him despite the leverage.
If the Blazers are ultimately able to convince Giannis to reunite with his former teammates in PDX, they absolutely should pursue him. They have a good blend of youth and veterans, meaning they could sacrifice assets for Giannis without gutting their roster. That's a luxury the Giannis-Dame pairing didn't necessarily have in Milwaukee, which is why, along with untimely injuries, it didn't quite go to plan.
A redemption story in Portland could be in everyone's best interest, but now it's a matter of convincing Giannis that's the case.
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