The Bucks are off to a sluggish begin this season and NBA executives are quietly hoping that the 2022 champs will crash and burn, as a result of it might imply that Giannis Antetokounmpo can be up for grabs.
“Groups are circling — and hopeful,” one Western Convention staff government advised CBS Sports activities.
A prime government of a staff that might be within the combine for the Greek Freak mentioned, “I wouldn’t be stunned if it occurred by the commerce deadline.”
An Jap Convention government has been listening to the whispers and says Giannis’ most popular locations could be the Nets and the Warmth.
The Thunder is a staff that can also be risk, given the quantity of draft capital the franchise would be capable to present the Bucks with.
“I haven’t heard them talked about, however yeah, if you happen to’re Milwaukee you would possibly simply go, ‘I don’t give a f— what you need. If you would like out, we’re getting the most effective deal we are able to.’ And Oklahoma Metropolis may positively supply a superb one,” the Jap Convention government mentioned.
One other drama that will trigger Giannis to exit stage left is how a lot pull Doc Rivers is gaining on the franchise, a lot in order that he’s “already gained over the proprietor sufficient that he’s now the important thing voice in basketball choices,” CBS says.
“They inform me it’s as much as Doc now, that they’re going to attend 20 video games after which see what Doc desires,” mentioned one individual acquainted with the Bucks’ front-office inner-workings. “It sounds prefer it’s a large number.”
Antetokounmpo himself has even helped gas the rumors. A few weeks again he alluded to being traded if this 12 months goes stomach up.
“If we don’t win this 12 months, would you get fired?” the Bucks star requested a staffer, by way of The Athletic. “Do you might have it at the back of your thoughts, like, ‘(What) if this 12 months doesn’t go properly?’ Yeah, if we don’t win a championship, I’d get traded. Yeah, that is the job we reside. That is the world we’re residing in. It’s everyone.”
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