Bucks Better Off Finding Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Partner Quickly

Along with the NBA Finals, the biggest story around the Association is the potential trade of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Miami Heat have arrived as the expected favorite to land the superstar player, hoping to pair him with fellow big man Bam Adebayo. 

Along with the assets the Heat can offer the Bucks’ apparent disinterest in other trade assets is helping Miami’s position. 

For more on how the Bucks’ reported lack of interest in Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown could work in the Heat’s favor, Heat Roundtable writer Shandel Richardson has a in-depth look. 

Other teams, along with the Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks are said to be involved either in the pursuit of Antetokounmpo or as third teams that could be involved in the trade. 

For instance, the Hawks and Pelicans are often seen as potential landing places for Brown. Should the Celtics pick up steam in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, one of those other team could get involved to help facilitate additional money moves such as landing Brown.

How soon things can move forward on any version of these deals that could send the star player out of Milwaukee remains to be seen, but it might be in the Bucks’ best interest to get something done sooner rather than later.

Finalizing the trade before the NBA Finals series wraps up (which may be too soon a timeline now) would be in Milwaukee’s favor.  It would mean that the news of shipping off of their top player would live in the spotlight only briefly.

Either an improbable comeback by the San Antonio Spurs or the first championship win for the New York Knicks in over 50 years would be guaranteed to overshadow the transaction. 

Should the move not be finalized until after the Finals, it would quickly become the center of offseason attention.