Latest news with #Freak
New York Post
12 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Raptors have ‘mutual interest' as Bucks exit rumors ramp up
The Greek Freak has some interest in Canada. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the center of trade talks since the Bucks' season went down in flames in the first round of the playoffs, which included Damian Lillard tearing his Achilles. The Toronto Star's Doug Smith reports that Antetokounmpo and the Raptors have 'mutual interest' and could be a good match in a potential trade. Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks NBAE via Getty Images Smith did qualify the report by adding that the odds are 'long' that the Raptors will outbid the bevy of teams looking to acquire a star player of this quality. Milwaukee, which doesn't control its first-round draft pick until 2031, would need a combination of draft capital and young players to complete any deal for its prized perennial MVP candidate. Antetokounmpo has not officially asked for a trade, but The Post's Brian Lewis reported that he is exploring his options and could opt to force his way out of Milwaukee. The Nets are also a potential landing spot. The Nets would have a tougher time trading for Antetokounmpo than most, despite having more draft picks than just about any team in the NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the subject of trade rumors. Getty Images Should Antetokounmpo request a trade, a list of teams would likely be sent to the Bucks of who he would like to go to, potentially giving the Raptors or Nets a chance to acquire him even if they aren't a perfect fit. Antetokounmpo, 30, is a two-time MVP and, in 2020, helped the Bucks win their first championship since 1971. Toronto would likely trade most of its draft capital to acquire Antetokounmpo and could look to trade young players RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. The Golden State Warriors are also widely expected to be in the mix should he leave the Bucks.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Milwaukee Bucks preparing for Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this offseason
The Milwaukee Bucks struck gold when they decided to select raw prospect Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. No one knew the tall, lanky kid from Greece would develop into one of the NBA's best players over the next decade-plus, winning two MVP awards and even helping the Bucks win the NBA Finals. Yet, now that the Bucks have been eliminated from the first round of the playoffs for three years in a row, there's some doubt creeping in about Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee. In fact, for the first time in his 12-year career, Antetokounmpo is open to playing for another team. Advertisement While Antetokounmpo has not requested a trade and Milwaukee hasn't expressed any public interest in moving on from the face of their franchise, there have been some signals that suggest a deal is coming. According to NBA insider Gery Woelfel of Woelfel Press Box, the Bucks are planning to bring in multiple prospects who are expected to be top-eight selections in the 2025 NBA Draft. But it gets better. 'I've been told by multiple sources the Bucks are taking steps in the event Giannis Antetokounmpo moves on.' Gery Woelfel on Giannis Antetokounmpo Specifically looking at prospects projected to be top-eight picks is interesting. Could the Bucks already have a strong idea of which team they may be open to trading the Greek Freak to? Here are the teams with the first eight picks in the NBA Draft. Dallas Mavericks San Antonio Spurs Philadelphia 76ers Charlotte Hornets Utah Jazz Washington Wizards New Orleans Pelicans Brooklyn Nets Antetokounmpo likely wants to stick with a contender, so if any of those teams make sense, it's the Mavericks, Spurs, 76ers, and Pelicans. Yet, are we really sure Antetokounmpo would prefer any of those franchises over the foundation he's already established in Milwaukee? Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo reveals favorite city to play road games in
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucks Predicted to Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to Team in Texas
Giannis Antetokounmpo has spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Bucks, carving out a Hall of Fame career. The Greek Freak is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. The Bucks won the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games. However, the franchise has won only one postseason series since then. Advertisement Not only did Milwaukee lose to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of this year's playoffs in five games, but Damian Lillard also tore his left Achilles tendon. The All-Star point guard could miss all of next season. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo (34).Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Some believe Antetokounmpo should request a trade from the Bucks this offseason since Lillard may not play at all in 2025-26. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report is someone who believes Antetokounmpo should ask out of Milwaukee. The NBA analyst also predicts that the superstar forward will get traded to the Houston Rockets or San Antonio Spurs. "If Antetokounmpo wants to win, he has to realize Milwaukee can't give him that chance. You know who could, though? How about a youth-heavy Houston Rockets team that just won 52 games without him? Or a San Antonio Spurs squad featuring the league's next cheat-code great in Victor Wembanyama?" Buckley wrote. Advertisement "Know what else those clubs have in common? They both have the trade chips to satisfy whatever the Bucks demand and still have substantial supporting casts in place. Maybe the Rockets have to part with one of Alperen Sengun or Jalen Green, but they aren't losing both and would still have Amen Thompson leading their young core and, most likely, the championship-experienced Fred VanVleet leading the roster. "The Spurs, meanwhile, wouldn't touch the Wembanyama-De'Aaron Fox tandem and could potentially also keep two of Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and the No. 2 pick." Antetokounmpo has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. He put up 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks per game for the Bucks this season. The 30-year-old Antetokounmpo doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so if he requests a trade, he can't control where he lands. Related: NBA Insider Reveals How Lakers Can Trade For Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks Predicted to Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to Team in Texas first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Golden State Warriors' Leg Up in Giannis Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes Revealed
The Golden State Warriors have a chance, however slim, of trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. Should the Milwaukee Bucks make him available, almost every team in the NBA is expected to put forward their best offer. The San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Brooklyn Nets can offer the best draft-pick-based trade package for the Greek Freak, and any of those teams would become title favorites if they landed him. Advertisement The Warriors don't have the ability to build a better trade package than any of those teams, although they do have one advantage. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) meet after the game at the Chase Center.© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Simply put, playing next to Stephen Curry is something Giannis has always wanted to do. 'There was a feeling that Giannis was very, very intrigued by the one day of being a teammate of Stephen Curry," Logan Murdock said. "There was at least a feeling that Giannis wanted to play with Steph in the very near future and be teammates. That was at least the impression that officials got during that soiree.' While Antetokounmpo doesn't boast a no-trade clause, he can opt out of his contract after just two seasons, and if he makes it clear that he won't re-sign with the team that trades for him, his value will tank. Advertisement Teams like the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets are not in the running for that very reason, and if he decides to force his way to Golden State, the Bucks will have only two options: oblige or keep him in town. While Giannis is yet to even request a trade, the league is circling, waiting for any indication that he might want a change of scenery. Check out the Inside the Warriors homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: Golden State Warriors Land NBA Champion, Gold Medalist in Mock Trade Related: Dwyane Wade Calls Out Warriors' Jimmy Butler After Playoff Struggles
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jayson Tatum's Devastating Injury Could Spell Doom for Phoenix Suns' Offseason Plans
The Boston Celtics, after entering the NBA season as favorites to repeat as title winners, suffered a brutal injury to their best player. In Game 4 against the New York Knicks, superstar Jayson Tatum went down with an injury, later revealed to be a torn Achilles. With the possibility of him missing an entire season very real, now is the expected time for the Celtics to shed some salary and trade away one of their more expensive players, ducking the luxury tax and second apron. Advertisement If Boston puts players like Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, or Derrick White on the trade block, it could ruin the Phoenix Suns' offseason plans. Mar 14, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) controls the ball while Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and center Al Horford (42) defend during the first half at TD Garden.© Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images Ever since the Suns' season went off the rails, trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets has been the most logical course of action. Houston has young players and draft picks that the Suns would covet, and Durant would fit in well with Houston's current roster. However, Holiday, White, and Brown would also fit in well in Houston, and Ime Udoka had success with White and Brown during his lone season with the Celtics. The Rockets have also been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, although now that the San Antonio Spurs can build a trade package built around the second overall pick, they are the frontrunners to land the Greek Freak. Advertisement Durant is an elite player, but the Rockets seem to value hard-nosed, two-way players with a track record of buying into team culture. Durant, simply, has not been able to do that during his career, and White, Brown, and Holiday are all better fits, with White and Holiday likely being cheaper for Houston to acquire. Check out the Inside the Suns homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: Lottery Dependent Mock Trade Jumpstarts Suns' Rebuild and Holds Them Back for Three Seasons Related: Kevin Durant Trade Rumors Spark After Draft Lottery Shakeup
