Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam recently mentioned a timeline for a potential blockbuster involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, saying they'd like to make a decision by the NBA Draft, which starts June 23.
Could we really be almost one month away from this Giannis saga finally coming to an end?
While the Blazers are exploring trading for Giannis, they won't sacrifice their valuable future assets unless they have assurance of a long-term commitment. It was rumored at February's deadline that Giannis had no interest in joining the Blazers. I don't expect that to change despite the relatively successful season they just completed, as it has more to do with non-basketball factors such as Portland's market and location.
Blazers could facilitate a Giannis trade before the NBA Draft
That Giannis trade dilemma has always made the Blazers more likely to facilitate a multi-team trade that sends him elsewhere. So what about Boston?
NBA insider Jake Fischer recently addressed the recent Celtics trade rumors, saying that it wouldn't make sense for a rebuilding team like Milwaukee to take on a star like Jaylen Brown.
"If — and I want to stress that this is a hypothetical — any Brown-for-Antetokounmpo conversation actually does materialize in the future, multiple rival team strategists this week suggested that the likely appeal for Milwaukee, in addition to draft capital from the Celtics, would be to move Brown on or expand such a deal into a multi-team transaction," Fischer reported on The Stein Line.
That's where Portland comes in as the perfect fit to come away with more star power in the form of Jaylen Brown, just two years removed from winning Finals MVP.
Portland should target Jaylen Brown this summer
Brown would arguably be an even better fit in Portland than Giannis, given his ability to space the floor. The Giannis-Damian Lillard pairing didn't work out in Milwaukee, causing hesitation to pull the trigger on such an all-in move. Additionally, Portland already has a point-forward type player who likes to get downhill, Deni Avdija. How would Giannis fit into that picture?
The Blazers would have to rebuild their entire offense around him, whereas Brown would be a seamless addition to address a glaring need. He's already proven effective in that co-star role in Boston, fitting in perfectly alongside Jayson Tatum.
Acquiring someone of his caliber wouldn't come cheap, but a potential starting lineup of Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Deni Avdija, and Donovan Clingan would be considered a top four team out west. They would be a much better-balanced starting unit, maintaining the defensive identity while adding much more shooting, playmaking, and overall shot creation on the offensive end.
Blazers still need Celtics to pursue Giannis
Now, it's simply a matter of Boston revisiting a Giannis trade. Though they expressed interest in the Greek Freak at the deadline, Fischer adds that he never "never got the sense that Boston was a certified suitor for Antetokounmpo."
Could that stance change after a team with championship aspirations suffered a first-round exit? I think any team in a win-now position would be foolish not to at least explore whether or not Giannis could be the upgrade needed to get them over the top.
We'll have to see how this saga unfolds, but it's encouraging that the Bucks are set on trying to get those picks back. Portland has extremely valuable leverage heading into the offseason, when a star acquisition makes more sense than ever amid a patient rebuild. They finally seem ready to accelerate the timeline, and whether it's Jaylen Brown or someone else entirely, those picks present the best way to do so.
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