After saying for years that they wouldn't do it, the Cleveland Browns have just traded star edge rusher Myles Garrett. The face of the franchise is gone. Why does it matter to the Milwaukee Bucks? Largely because Jimmy Haslam owns the Browns and also a significant portion of the Bucks, making it clear that if he will trade Garrett, he likely won't be afraid to do so with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis trade odds just shot up
Haslam said that he would like to get everything sorted out with Giannis before the NBA Draft so the Milwaukee Bucks have a clear direction. He's not bluffing. If Giannis is still undecided or wants a trade, Haslam will move him. Trading Garrett, who has been with the team since 2017 and is coming off an incredible Defensive Player of the Year-winning season, signals that Haslam isn't afraid to pull levers.
One could argue that an Antetokounmpo trade would have been far more likely than a Garrett trade a few days ago. Haslam has known Garrett throughout his entire NFL career, while he only got familiar with Giannis in Milwaukee when he bought his share recently. The attachment isn't there. He won't be afraid to move on quickly.
Bucks must eye a haul for Giannis
The official compensation hasn't been released, but the Browns are going to get a treasure chest for Myles Garrett, and deservedly so. Players like him don't grow on trees. Haslam and the Bucks must keep that same stance for Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks. If and when they trade him, they must gut any interested suitor.
So far, they appear to be on the right track. The Miami Heat seem determined to outbid anyone on the hunt for Giannis, and the Bucks can use that to their advantage. Milwaukee must take every draft pick and potential-filled young player that they can from the Heat. It's the only type of package that makes a deal for a player of Giannis Antetokounmpo's caliber worth it.
Nothing is set in stone just yet, but this could very well foreshadow a new era coming in Milwaukee. There is still time for Giannis and the Bucks to find a resolution and continue working with one another over the next several weeks, but the odds look increasingly slim, especially with Haslam at the helm and moves like this having his fingerprints all over them.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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