On Monday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that there are "no apparent breakthrough developments" regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future with the Milwaukee Bucks. Stein added that the Bucks are trying to convince the 30-year-old superstar to stay by "loudly reminding him" how weak the Eastern Conference is (subscription required).
Antetokounmpo wants to win a second title, so much so that he could leave the only NBA team he's known to pursue one. Teams like the Rockets and Spurs could be in the running for Giannis if he requests a trade, which would give him a chance to compete for a title, but in a much stronger conference.
While it's true that the East is the lesser conference, especially after the draft lottery, the Bucks' strategy is puzzling. Part of the reason the East is down significantly is that teams like Milwaukee mismanaged their future. They don't have the draft assets to upgrade the roster around Giannis, nor do they have a lot of financial wiggle room, which is why Stein reported that the Bucks want to get Giannis on board with a "so-called gap year."
Bucks' pitch to get Giannis to stay could result in him leaving
Antetokounmpo has given Milwaukee everything and more over the past 12 seasons. They wouldn't have their 2021 title if it weren't for him. Fans would love to see him win at least one more with the Bucks before retiring, but that might prove to be too much of an ask.
There is no guarantee that taking a "gap year" would yield the results that Giannis wants, either. He's an ultimate competitor, so leaving the East for the West wouldn't deter him, even if it meant a more challenging path to another title. Knowing Giannis, that'd motivate him even more. What matters most to him is being on a team that's well-positioned to pursue a championship, which hasn't happened in Milwaukee the past few years.
It's not odd that he hasn't made a decision yet, considering the real NBA offseason hasn't begun, but when he does, every Bucks fan should respect it, even if it isn't what they want to hear. Perhaps the team's wish for Giannis to stay will come true, but if it does, and there are no significant changes, it could be a decision he'll regret.