The Milwaukee Bucks have essentially emptied their entire asset cabinet in hopes of fielding a strong roster outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, they have just a 2031 first-round pick, and while it will be on the table in trade discussions, recent reporting from ESPN's Shams Charania, who states that Giannis had a desire to join the Knicks this summer, makes it a lot more difficult to agree to it.
Trading that pick and then losing Giannis could be disastrous
Jon Horst, Milwaukee's general manager, has never wavered from his aggressive stance. Trades for players like Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and Eric Bledsoe prove it. Yet, the well is running dry, and so might be Giannis' time in Milwaukee. If the Bucks trade that 2031 first, their last desirable asset, they must get a legitimate difference-maker in return. If not, their Giannis-less future gets even uglier.
If there is a big-name who can help the Milwaukee Bucks available at the NBA Trade Deadline and the team is in contention, they should absolutely make the move. It's risky, but knowing this could be their last go-round with Giannis if they come up short, they might as well swing for the fences. Yet, it could backfire on them if they fall short again, which could lead to a Giannis trade and then no pick either.
Given how aggressive they've been in the past, it doesn't seem likely that the Milwaukee Bucks will change their stance now. Jon Horst and co. will hold out until the end, doing everything in their power to keep Giannis in town. It must be noted that this is all about Giannis winning. He didn't have interest in the Knicks because of the city. He wants to win.
If the Bucks can get in the contending picture once again, all of this goes away. Of course, it's far easier said than done.
This pick situation will certainly heat up when the NBA Trade Deadline nears next year. If the Bucks do look like a team capable of making a run and there's a household name up for grabs, they could go for them without question. However, if they're barely fielding a competitive team night in and night out, the writing may be on the wall that Giannis' time is up, and they may elect to keep the pick and embrace the inevitable.
Things will be tense in Milwaukee every single game this season. There is plenty on the line this year. How they perform will be the difference between continuing the Giannis partnership and what could be a gloomy Giannis-less fresh start.
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