One extra lottery pick from the Miami Heat could completely change the landscape of Milwaukee's post-Giannis Antetokounmpo future. But if Giannis Antetokounmpo does end up being traded there, like rumors suggest, despite all the flaws that he's supposedly pointed out over their roster, then the Bucks better hope Miami throws in the one additional asset that they sorely need: the 13th pick.
The Bucks need all the lottery picks they can get going forward
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jon Horst and company (if the ownership group still decides to keep them aboard) should absolutely set their sights on rebuilding. Any attempt at playing winning basketball with the pieces that remain will just be futile. That's just the reality of losing your franchise player at the end of a long run of contending seasons.
Nothing is set in stone yet, of course. Giannis wants to stay in the East, but he also reportedly has a lot of questions about just how intact that Miami roster would still be after absorbing a trade for him. And according to NBA insider Sam Amick (subscription required), the Giannis sweepstakes are seeing a number of newcomers in the wake of the recently concluded NBA Finals, including the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic.
Regardless, the reported asking price for Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a package consisting of a young, blue-chip star-caliber player and a large surplus of future draft picks. General manager Jon Horst is on record saying he plans to go for blood if he has to settle for losing the player who built and defined this era of Bucks basketball. And why wouldn't he, if that's what's best for the franchise?
Developments over the past week gave us fans reason to believe that that landing spot might eventually be the Miami Heat. They've signaled they're more than willing to give a real package that doesn't attempt to fleece the Bucks. And while the young pieces they appear ready to give up are intriguing -- including Kasparas Jakucionis and Kel'el Ware -- you would also hope that they give the Bucks opportunities to select their own players for their own needs.
Milwaukee can't settle for a poor package if they're losing Giannis
For this writer, any package from Pat Riley and company (and really, any team looking to make a run at Antetokounmpo this coming offseason) should absolutely include a first-round pick in this year's draft.
Despite Horst's poor drafting history, having the freedom to pick at both No. 10 and No. 13 in this year's relatively stacked draft would make all the difference in the Bucks' rebuilding efforts. It would let them, for instance, take Kingston Flemmings while still adding a depth piece like Yaxel Landeborg.
It's unclear at this point if the Heat are going to remain the frontrunners to land Giannis. But either way, Milwaukee has to be ruthless in standing on its asking price. If you want the two-time MVP, you have to be willing to shell out enough picks to help Milwaukee rebuild from losing him. It's that simple.
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