In the backdrop of the Bucks being on the verge of another painful playoff exit, rumours are rife about Giannis’ departure from the best regular season team of the past 2 seasons.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo is the reigning NBA MVP, and was a prohibitive favorite to win it again this season. He also won his first Defensive Player of the Year trophy for his performances this year. His two-way brilliance is definitely the major reason for the Bucks’ dominance in the regular season.
Will Giannis leave the Bucks? A list of possible destinations according to oddsmakers
The Greek Freak is in a precarious position, with his team down 3-1 in the Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat. Giannis himself played well below par in the first 3 games of the series. He did not exceed 30 points even once in 3 full outings. He was on track to do so in Game 4, but got injured early in the second quarter.
Giannis has said in the past that he will consider other teams if the Bucks fail to build a championship roster around him. As things stand, the possibilities of him being traded seem very real. Giannis enters the final year of his contract next season. How can the aforementioned teams initiate a trade for him?
Also Read: Details of Giannis’ contract ahead of trade rumors
(a) Miami Heat: The Heat have a young Bam Adebayo and shooters like Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn on their roster, whom they can willingly trade in exchange for a 2-time MVP.
(b) Toronto Raptors: Given Siakam’s mediocre bubble performances, the Raptors can dangle the first-time All Star as trade bait this offseason. Adding Chris Boucher or Matt Thomas may be necessary.
(c) New Orleans Pelicans: The Pels may have to give up one of Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram in order to make this trade plausible. There seem to be few chances of that happening.
(d) New York Knicks: The Knicks have some young talent on their roster, but they don’t comprise of an adequate package as things stand.
(e) Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers will not be able to create a better fit for Embiid or Simmons by trading for Giannis given the lack of shooting.
