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 could imply that Giannis Antetokounmpo will probably be up for grabs.
“Groups are circling — and hopeful,” one Western Convention crew government instructed CBS Sports activities.
A high government of a crew that may very well be within the combine for the Greek Freak stated, “I wouldn’t be shocked if it occurred by the commerce deadline.”
An Jap Convention government has been listening to the whispers and says Giannis’ most well-liked locations could be the Nets and the Warmth.
The Thunder is a crew that can also be risk, given the quantity of draft capital the franchise would be capable of present the Bucks with.
“I haven’t heard them talked about, however yeah, should you’re Milwaukee you may simply go, ‘I don’t give a f— what you need. In order for you out, we’re getting the perfect deal we will.’ And Oklahoma Metropolis may undoubtedly provide one,” the Jap Convention government stated.
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 selections,” 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,” stated one particular person aware of the Bucks’ front-office inner-workings. “It sounds prefer it’s a large number.”
Antetokounmpo himself has even helped gasoline the rumors. A few weeks again he alluded to being traded if this yr goes stomach up.
“If we don’t win this yr, would you get fired?” the Bucks star requested a staffer, by way of The Athletic. “Do you could have it behind your thoughts, like, ‘(What) if this yr doesn’t go effectively?’ Yeah, if we don’t win a championship, I would get traded. Yeah, that is the job we dwell. That is the world we’re dwelling in. It’s all people.”
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