Trade speculation around Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to dominate news cycles and is only expected to heat up in the summer, according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer (subscription needed).
Fischer reports that many teams believe Giannis will be traded this summer, and he agrees. This would be a nightmare scenario for the Bucks organization and fanbase, who want to keep their superstar at all costs.
The Bucks will face even more pressure to trade Giannis
For now, Milwaukee remains focused on what they can do to compete for a championship this season. It'll be a tough road through the playoffs, likely starting from the Play-In Tournament. Giannis and this teammates need to put their full focus towards every game down the stretch as they fight for postseason positioning.
But the most likely outcome will either be the Bucks missing out on the postseason entirely or having a very early exit in the Play-In Tournament or the first round of the playoffs. After that, a long offseason will follow with countless reports of Giannis trade rumors. The Bucks have a few options to improve their team and keep Giannis around, but they'll also get plenty of blockbuster trade offers.
An offseason trade for a star of Giannis' magnitude was always more likely than a midseason one. Fitting him into a new team and system is a huge undertaking that can completely ruin a team's existing chemistry. Additionally, working out the financials of such a big trade is harder with the moving parts of an active season.
In the summer, potential suitors for Giannis' services will also have more assets to offer in a trade. Teams like the Knicks and Heat can add more future draft picks, which are arguably some of the most valuable assets for starting a rebuild. The Bucks will likely remain extremely hesitant to let go of the Greek Freak, but it'll make a trade easier to stomach if he puts more pressure on them to get it done.
The draft and draft lottery could also have important ramifications for Giannis' future. Both the Bucks' own selection and potential trade chips from other teams can change significantly in value depending on how the ping pong balls bounce. In a draft class loaded with potential franchise-altering talent, getting a top pick - whether in return for Giannis or otherwise - could change the Bucks' long-term outlook.
After the trade deadline passed with Giannis still on the Bucks, many fans celebrated and were ready to leave the rumors behind. But sadly, it will surely return in the offseason, and with renewed vigor. Bucks fans must brace themselves for more months of constant speculation with an increased possibility of a real trade sending Giannis elsewhere.