Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have already started having conversations regarding whether it's in the superstar's best interest to stay in Milwaukee or pursue options elsewhere, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
This trade development felt inevitable, given Milwaukee's rough 9-13 start to the season and bleak future.
Things started going south after their all-in blockbuster Damian Lillard backfired. Following Lillard's unfortunate Achilles tear, the Bucks decided to pull the plug early on that experiment, with just two consecutive first-round playoff exits to show.
They sacrificed the majority of their future to land Lillard in the first place, but they also doubled down on that move when they decided to waive and stretch the remaining $113 million on his contract over the next five years.
Now, the Bucks' options are limited, and Giannis has to know it will be difficult for the franchise to successfully pivot with such limited assets.
Damian Lillard trade makes Blazers the perfect Giannis facilitator
Blazers general manager Joe Cronin bet against the Bucks' future when he shipped Lillard to Milwaukee instead of his preferred destination, the Miami Heat. That decision looks better than ever, as Portland quietly holds the keys to the Giannis sweepstakes with a 2029 first-round pick and swaps in 2028 and 2030 that look increasingly likely to convey.
Big-market teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks should be considered the frontrunners to land Giannis should he officially request a trade. If that is the case, the Blazers, thanks to the lopsided Lillard trade, will have a valuable role to play as a facilitator.
Milwaukee would be wise to embrace a full-on rebuild rather than a retool, but can't effectively do that without getting its own draft capital back in the process. Portland has all the leverage in the world in this scenario. With their young core and future draft capital, they have a promising long-term outlook if they simply do nothing. Cronin has a reputation as a firm trade negotiator, which should benefit the Blazers as well.
However, if the correct trade value comes along, the Blazers should consider packaging those Bucks picks into a valuable piece to add to their up-and-coming roster. Cronin has shown a willingness to include draft capital in the past if he felt like the player was the right fit for their young core, as was the case with the Deni Avdija deal with the Washington Wizards.
While Gianins is the main prize, there are still other stars Portland could come away with in this scenario. For instance, if Los Angeles were willing to part ways with Austin Reaves to form a trio of Giannis, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James, that could be a worthwhile piece for Portland to add as a co-star alongside Deni Avdija.
Charania adds that a "resolution is expected in the coming weeks." It shouldn't be long before we have clarity on this situation -- one that the Blazers should absolutely look to capitalize on, most likely as a facilitator.