Milwaukee Bucks: 3 red flags to consider with a James Harden trade

Red flag no. 3 – The Giannis Antetokounmpo/James Harden dynamic

To say that Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden have a history is underselling it.

Having taken various shots at each other over the years, and especially since Antetokounmpo won the first of two straight MVP awards in the summer of 2019, it’s clear that Antetokounmpo and Harden don’t necessarily hold each other in high esteem.

The irony of that is that the Bucks have essentially used the same model and blueprint to that of the Rockets in building around the 26-year-old Antetokounmpo. With that in mind, the Bucks have established their hierarchy by funneling every part of their roster building through Antetokounmpo’s many talents.

How would that look or be adjusted when theoretically bringing in someone of Harden’s ball-dominant style on board around Antetokounmpo? The Bucks have had high-usage players like Middleton around Antetokounmpo and it’s been a successful method, but Harden’s usage is in whole other stratosphere. And that would cut into Antetokounmpo’s usage and overall role as well.

But with the deadline inching closer to when he’s able to sign his supermax extension, the most fundamental question that needs to be asked is whether dealing for a superstar like Harden would appease Antetokounmpo into signing his extension. Judging by the comments that Antetokounmpo made in his first media appearance Wednesday afternoon, it’s a toss up as to which way he’ll go with his decision before the start of this season.

There are many hurdles that stand in the way of the Bucks coming away with someone of Harden’s magnitude, but the speculation around Antetokounmpo’s future only puts pressure on this season working out as the Bucks intend it will. For those reasons, it’s hard envisioning them shaking things up even further and meeting the exorbitant price the Rockets will want for Harden.