Giannis Antetokounmpo was rumored to be leaving Milwaukee all summer time, however that did not occur.
As a substitute, the two-time MVP will begin the season with the Milwaukee Bucks, a roster that also has a number of room to play in its bid to win a second NBA championship.
When the Bucks put Damian Lillard on waivers and allowed Brook Lopez to go away, Antetokounmpo was pessimistic about his title possibilities. Milwaukee signed Myles Turner to enhance its possibilities, however questions nonetheless stay over the Greek celebrity’s future.
One in all Antetokounmpo’s potential locations this summer time was the New York Knicks, however supervisor Stephen A. Smith mentioned one among his key gamers was the explanation the transfer did not occur.
Any staff within the NBA could be keen to promote home to herald Antetokounmpo, however it might take a large commerce supply to persuade the Bucks to maneuver him.
That being mentioned, many groups would have regretted the strikes they made in current months for lesser gamers as an alternative of providing belongings to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo.
The Knicks may be on that staff. They gave up 5 draft picks in 2024 to accumulate Mikal Bridges, who they only signed to a $150 million contract this offseason.
Smith criticized the Knicks for giving up draft capital for Bridges. “The important thing to every little thing is Mikal Bridges,” he mentioned with Carmelo Anthony at 7 p.m. in Brooklyn. “I like my brother. He deserves it. Mikal Bridges is price $150 million. That being mentioned, you gave up 5 picks for that.”
“If the Knicks had that decide, there is a good likelihood Giannis would already be right here. Mikal Bridges, you are the explanation. He isn’t a scrub, he can play. I’ve a number of respect for him, however you have to get it completed. You’ve got acquired to verify we’re taking a look at you, a minimum of be sure to’re an All-Star degree participant. You have to a minimum of try this.”
Knicks head coach Mike Brown has regularly praised Mikal Bridges this offseason. Brown expects Bridges to be named first-team All-Protection for the second time in his profession.
However irrespective of how nicely Bridges performs, Knicks followers could also be left with a bitter style that he may have fashioned a Huge Three with Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities.
The Bucks cannot theoretically give Antetokounmpo a championship-winning roster, however they can not be accused of being complacent with their celebrity.
Milwaukee offered its future to place a celebrity round Antetokounmpo and can solely should repay the debt this season.
They gave up an enormous sum of money within the 2023 commerce for Damian Lillard. Accidents had been a giant purpose why Lillard was unable to work in Milwaukee, however when wholesome, he and Antetokounmpo had been some of the feared duos within the NBA.
With Lillard gone, probably the most the Bucks may have completed this offseason was signal Turner from the Indiana Pacers. However they’ve continued to point out loyalty to their celebrity since preseason.
The Bucks have signed Alex Antetokounmpo to a two-way NBA contract. He joins older brothers Giannis and Thanasis, changing into the primary three brothers in league historical past to play on the identical staff.
They did every little thing of their energy to maintain Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. All they’ll do now’s hope that their efforts might be rewarded together with his loyalty.
