Victor Wembanyama is here. The freak of nature just had a dominant showing to open the Western Conference Finals, and he isn't going anywhere. If his ascension continues, this will be his league in the coming years. Opposing teams will need a miracle of their own to combat him, and perhaps the Greek Freak, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, could be useful in that regard.
As trade rumors surround the Greek Freak and Milwaukee, perhaps opposing teams will take note of this development, inadvertently increasing the Bucks' leverage.
Spurs star could raise Giannis' value inadvertantly
So far, only a handful of teams have come out as legitimate Giannis suitors. The Knicks, Heat, and Warriors have been there from the start, while the Timberwolves are lurking. Other than that, any rumored suitors have likely just done homework. If Wembanyama keeps dominating like this, the number of interested teams will likely only grow.
Wembanyama dominated against the defending champion OKC Thunder, pouring in 41 points, 24 rebounds, and three blocks in Game 1. The Thunder had no answer to the Spurs forward; how could they? What team can deter a 7-foot-4 big man who can shoot the long ball well and defend the hoop like few others in NBA history can? Not many, if any.
Antetokounmpo alone might not shut down Wembanyama, but he has the tools to give him a difficult time every single matchup. While Wembanyama still has a height advantage, as Giannis is 6-foot-11, Antetokounmpo does possess more strength. When the two match up, Antetokounmpo's sturdy build and unreal strength could be his greatest asset in slowing down the budding superstar.
OKC isn't getting that kind of resistance from Chet Holmgren, who stands 7-foot-1 but weighs just 207lbs. Holmgren getting dominated could open the eyes of teams across the league who might have doubts about their big men's ability to hold up against Wembanyama, especially as he creeps closer to his prime.
List of Giannis suitors should only grow from here
Every single team in the Western Conference that is serious about competing for an NBA title should be taking a look at Giannis right now. Any Easter Conference team that thinks they have a legitimate shot at making the NBA Finals should do the same. The Greek Freak isn't a guaranteed bet to stop the Spurs forward, but he may be among the best bets out there.
Of course, it also helps that he's a dominant force on the offensive end as well. That will certainly be a factor for interested teams.
That's all good news for the Milwaukee Bucks. If Giannis does indeed request out this summer, the list of suitors could very well be larger than it is now. Perhaps the LA Clippers find themselves in the mix. Do the Denver Nuggets try to make a big swing? Does OKC shock the world and go for Giannis? Could all of the teams already interested show even more interest and up their offers?
An all-out bidding war could ensue, and that's exactly what the Milwaukee Bucks need as they look to get the best package in return for their star.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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