The news that Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on his way out of Milwaukee in the coming months shocked the entire NBA landscape earlier this week, and it also gave the Portland Trail Blazers an ideal trade target to potentially pursue in the future: AJ Green.
If Giannis ends up deciding to move on and the Bucks are listening to trade offers for him, of course Portland could throw their hat in the ring for one of the greatest players in the world. But more realistic than that would be the concept of realizing that if Milwaukee is looking to trade their best player, they're likely going to be entering a rebuild. If that's the case, they're likely going to be open to moving other pieces as well.
That gives the Blazers a perfect opportunity to try to acquire Green. The fourth-year guard is currently playing nearly 30 minutes a night while starting every contest for Milwaukee. He's earned this increased role due to his top-notch shooting ability.
Green is hitting three-pointers at an elite clip this season, knocking down an astounding 49.7% of his three-point attempts. That puts him second place in the entire league, behind only Tari Eason. And really, Eason is only attempting 4.8 threes per game this season, while Green is attempting 6.9. It's not unreasonable at all to say AJ is the most valuable three-point shooter in the league right now.
The Blazers should be inquiring about AJ Green
Plenty of NBA fans have noticed that when Green is operating alongside Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, the Bucks' offense opens up a lot more due to his shooting prowess and opponents being forced to respect his shot. And the best part of AJ's game is that he understands perfectly how to be a complimentary off-ball scorer.
He thrives most when the offense flows around him and he's able to get open for catch-and-shoot opportunities. Green is great at moving without the ball, setting screens, and knowing where to be within the offense to find himself open looks.
Portland is in need of more perimeter shooting, and one more reliable role player is never a bad thing. His unbelievable shooting power paired with his willingness to contribute on the defensive side would make him a perfect addition to this roster.
Getting a less-heralded guy like AJ Green before his talent truly becomes highly coveted around the league is exactly the kind of forward-thinking move that great front offices make. Green's value is only going to increase, and Portland would be wise to start calling Milwaukee's phones the moment Giannis officially becomes available.