Sources: Bucks seeking trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Shams Charania for ESPN so this is completely legit.
...ownership and front office officials expect to maintain their trade deadline asking price of a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks, sources said.
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The Bucks' trade saga with Antetokounmpo began a year ago. ...including last summer, when Antetokounmpo informed all parties that he had a desire to play for the New York Knicks. The Bucks believed the team was set to be a contender in the Eastern Conference and decided to hold on to him after failed traction in talks with the Knicks last August.
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...Multiple teams expected to pursue Antetokounmpo this offseason, such as the Golden State Warriors (No. 11) and Miami Heat (No. 13), received their lottery picks to solidify potential offers.
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Rival executives believe that Antetokounmpo's desired teams will be the largest factor in his trade destination.
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"The conversation will be simple: Where does [Giannis] want to be moved, and where will he sign long term?" one source with direct involvement in the situation told ESPN.
[It is not going to be that simple. Beer has to get the right return. His no. 1 has always been Mamdani City. He has never mentioned Miami except that it is a "beautiful city. beautiful, beautiful, beautiful city." That it is, but Giannis does not read as a South Beach guy and the "Heat" is dreck. There are nine or ten teams just in the Least that can offer him a shorter path to the Finals than the "disorganized, disgruntled, not meshing "Heat."
If Antetokounmpo suddenly says, "I want to take my talents to South Beach" I will be one surprised mofo. But the "Heat" offer was the last one standing in February, and New York did not want to break up its core last summer. It seems reasonable that they would not want to break up this roster now when they are on a jaw-dropping run in the 'loffs. Shams does not mention Miami as a destination. I don't think it is a destination. But Beer came close to accepting Miami's offer in February, calling it off only 18 hours before the trade deadline expired.
Hope, Miami, HOPE. But make it evidence-based hope to avoid emotional meltdown. Maybe it happens but from where I sit, it will not happen.
