Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam made it known weeks ago that the organization wanted to resolve Giannis Antetokounmpo's situation before the NBA draft. As Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported for The Stein Line on Tuesday, that's still the case, to the point where the team is acting as if they will have more than one first-round pick (subscription required). It doesn't sound like they're planning on having their superstar around for much longer.
To get even more specific: The Bucks have been operating in advance of this draft as though they will have at least one additional first-round pick by the time it begins in addition to their No. 10 overall selection.
The Bucks could go from having one pick in the entire draft to two lottery picks if they agree to a trade with the Heat involving their No. 13 pick. It's probably not possible for Miami to acquire Antetokounmpo without giving up that selection.
A Giannis trade could be right around the corner
Milwaukee doesn't have sufficient draft capital to propel the team forward in the post-Giannis era, as the front office prioritized using its assets to win a championship with Antetokounmpo. It worked out well with the Jrue Holiday trade, but not with the Damian Lillard deal.
As The Stein Line mentioned, Giannis prefers to stay in the East, but that doesn't rule out the Trail Blazers from being part of a deal. The insider specifically said that Milwaukee wants to loop Portland in to get back some of the draft capital it gave up to get Lillard. Those picks don't involve this year's draft, though.
Bucks could have two lottery picks in June
Milwaukee's odds of vaulting into the top four in this year's draft weren't high, but because of how deep this draft class is, the No. 10 pick looks even better than it would otherwise. As does the No. 13 pick that could land in the Bucks' control.
There are a few routes the team could take, but if Giannis is gone, the front office could shift its focus to the best available guard at No. 10 to develop under Taylor Jenkins. They could then boost their frontcourt at No. 13.
The Bucks aren't operating like it's now-or-never for an Antetokounmpo trade, as he has the option to extend with the team when he becomes eligible on Oct. 1. However, Milwaukee's best-case scenario is gaining at least one more first-round pick in June because of the talent it will have to choose from across the board, which wouldn't be the case if it waited.
They seem to understand that, which is why they're acting as if they'll have more than one pick on June 23.
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