The Milwaukee Bucks are nowhere close to giving up on their marriage with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and a new report claims they could go hard to add talent to keep their top player from asking for a trade.
One of the biggest stories in the league over the last few weeks is the future of the two-time NBA MVP. Entering the season, losing in the first round of the playoffs for a third straight season was nearly enough for Antetokounmpo to force a trade out of town this summer. However, cooler heads prevailed, and he stuck around.
Yet, despite spending big to sign Myles Turner in the summer, the team heads into their next game with a stunning 11-16. Part of the reason is Antetokounmpo currently being out with a calf strain, but they weren’t much better when he was on the floor this season. That is why a recent report from ESPN’s Shams Charania suggested the nine-time All-Star could be on the precipice of finally asking out of Milwaukee.
But Milwaukee doesn’t want to lose him — for good reason — and won’t ponder the idea until Antetokounmpo says the words. That may be why, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks are working hard to add more star talent to the roster and hope it keeps the Greek legend happy.
“One rival general manager I spoke to went so far as to say that the Bucks have convinced him that ‘they’re going big-game hunting,'” Fischer reports.
5 Players MIL Bucks Targeting in a Trade Soon
So who could the Bucks go after to get Giannis Antetokounmpo some more help and go on a second-half run? Fischer admits the team doesn’t have much to offer and will have to take back some big contracts in a deal. That is why he suggested the recent report about a trade for Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine “makes sense.”
Another name he believes could be a target, because they have shown interest previously, is Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant. However, Fischer adds that it may not be likely since Grant “has emerged as a favorite of Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin.”
Two others that the front office has shown past interest in are Miami Heat swingman Andrew Wiggins and New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray. Sources also told Fischer that Marcus Smart appeals to the Bucks. However, he questions whether the Los Angeles Lakers would have any interest in moving him this season.
