The San Antonio Spurs have long been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo as a possible trade target, although now they are one of three teams with limited interest in the superstar forward.
The San Antonio Spurs are coming off their best win of the season and the best win of Victor Wembanyama's career, besting the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals.
The Spurs, it seems, have arrived as one of the very best teams in the league, although there is still doubt about whether they would be able to beat the Thunder in a seven-game series.
Of course, they could easily bolster their chances by trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who they have long been linked to. The Spurs have the young talent, draft picks, and matching salary to land the Greek Freak.
In fact, they're opnly missing one thing: interest.
"There's growing belief among trade trackers that SA and Houston, like OKC, don't plan to chase Antetokounmpo even if the Bucks ultimately do decide to consider in-season proposals," reported league insider Marc Stein. "All three, as you can imagine, like what they have going."
Adding a two-time MVP whop is averaging 28.9 points this season (on a sub-optimal roster) seems like an easy choice for the Spurs to make. After all, if they traded for him, they would be upgraded from contenders to frontrunners.
However, the short-term gain is not worth messing up the long-term plan. The Spurs have one of the best futures in the NBA, and the ever-patient organization doesn't seem willing to part with key assets in order to open a short-term title window.
Coming off the high of beating OKC, the Spurs' window could already be open. Adding Giannis would certainly give them a three or four-year boost, but if they stay the course? They could be frontrunners for the next 15 seasons, barring the health of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper.
According to Stein, if the Bucks officially make Giannis available, only the Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Thunder would be willing to pass on even making an offer. For Milwaukee, those three teams could offer the best trade packages, even after Houston added Kevin Durant.
Teams like the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks could offer a package, although none of them boast the assets as the three teams already out.
Fans seem divided on whether they want the Spurs to add Antekoumplo, but coming off the NBA Cup win, it's safe to say the fanbase is as united as it ever has been: this is Wembanyama's team, and the Spurs need to be building around him and him only as a center piece, making moves only to maximize their French superstar.
Giannis is incredibly talented, but he would take the ball out of Wemby's hands. That's the opposite of what the Spurs want.