Report: The Los Angeles Clippers Have Interest In Trading For Giannis Antetokounmpo! Should The Milwaukee Bucks Consider What The Clippers Have To Offer?
The 2019-20 NBA season has been a rollercoaster ride for many organizations, including the Milwaukee Bucks. From having the best record in the NBA to potentially possessing the MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks were projected to go much higher in the playoffs and maybe win it all this season! However, Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat quickly extinguished that fantasy as they almost swept the Bucks if not for Khris Middleton’s ridiculous three-point shot at the end of game 4. This upset was arguably one of the most disappointing ones in NBA history due to the hype and expectation this team had when entering the playoffs. To lose the way they did was disgraceful as they had all the tools to go all the way to the NBA finals but could not circle all of their strengths. But this loss is not only detrimental to their season. With Giannis Antetokounmpo becoming an unrestricted free agent next season, the Milwaukee Bucks have to both convince Giannis to stay while bringing other assets to propel them to the NBA finals. This loss presents an abundance of stress for this organization and needs to decide what route to take to sustain Giannis Antetokounmpo’s interest in staying in Milwaukee. However, with teams such as the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and most recently, the Los Angeles Clippers are all interested, Milwaukee’s chance of re-signing the Greek Freak has become slimmer and slimmer by the day!
According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly looking to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo in the off-season! With the Clippers already having an absurd amount of talent such as Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, Marcus Morris and much more, the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo on this team would quickly become the greatest team ever assembled in NBA history! However, with the exception of having a cap-space, the Clippers would have to trade some of their best assets to attain a season of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The best offer that the Clippers can throw at Milwaukee is Paul George and a vital rotational piece like Lou Williams or, if he re-signs, Montrezl Harrell. The Clippers are already one of the best teams in the NBA and are only a game away from making it to the conference finals! The inclusion of Giannis would ensure that no team can penetrate or even come close to the Clippers as they would be the new dynasty of the NBA. If Golden State was scary with the inclusion of Kevin Durant in 2017, imagine what a team of Giannis and Kawhi would be?
Although these are all speculations, the only fact that Milwaukee fans can rely on is what Giannis Antetokounmpo stated in an interview for when the Bucks lost to Miami. Giannis states that requesting a trade from Milwaukee is “not happening” as he believes that the Bucks have run into a “wall”
“Hopefully we can build a culture in Milwaukee that, for many years, we can come out and compete every single year for a championship. Some see a wall and go in [another direction]. I plow through it; we just have to get better as a team, individually and get right back at it next season.”
For Bucks fans, that is a great indication that Giannis wants to win a championship for Milwaukee and remain with the organization for many years to come. However, if his interests are to leave Milwaukee and win a title elsewhere, the best-case scenario for him is to join a contender to form a super-team. Although that will break the NBA once again, a player is entitled to sign wherever he chooses and even if it will forever be known as a weak move, winning a championship is far greater. Milwaukee should try their best to convince Giannis that they will build a championship team around him and decline any trade possible to show their gratitude towards him. Even though the Clippers would have the best package to offer, keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo happy and optimistic should be Milwaukee’s number one priority!
In the end, the NBA could drastically change in just one season if Giannis decides on joining a different team. Seeing Giannis in a different uniform other than the Bucks will look just as strange as Kevin Durant in a Golden State uniform. However, winning a championship is his top priority, whether he wants to admit that or not. The aspect of loyalty has quickly diminished over time as both the organizations and players have made that mentality a mere fantasy. Only a handful of players are loyal in the NBA today and would do anything for their organization that they represent. Even though Giannis appears to fall into that category, anything can change in a matter of one season! At the beginning of the 2018-19 season, Kyrie Irving stated that he would plan to re-sign in Boston if the fans wanted him and fast-forward to today, and Kyrie is now in Brooklyn!