The Mavericks fired their general manager, Nico Harrison, on Tuesday, and it might have major ramifications for the Bucks as well. Harrison received the axe after trading away superstar and consensus top-five talent Luka Dončić last season. Seeing his firing, Bucks GM John Horst will be wary of trading away his own superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, prematurely.
Giannis is too good to be traded
So far this season, Giannis has reaffirmed his place at the top of the NBA pedestal. His ridiculous averages of 33 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists per game, along with great defense, have him firmly entrenched in MVP talks. He’s also led the Bucks to a solid record at 7-4 so far, including wins over key opponents, such as the Knicks.
Giannis is still in the prime of his career at 30 years old and getting a lot of unexpected support from his surrounding cast. The Bucks were originally projected as a middling team this season but are quickly proving to be an underrated force. They have all the tools to make some noise in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and of course, they have the best player by far in the conference.
Trading Giannis in the middle of this season, as the Mavericks did with Luka last season, would be unforgivable. There are no true concerns about Giannis‘s play. He has a decent track record when it comes to health and is developing his all-around game more and more every season.
Additionally, it’s almost impossible to receive a fair value in exchange for his services. The only other players in the league who have the same impact as him are likely untouchable in trade talks, and it’s hard for future-focused trades, whether it be through young players or draft picks, to ever live up to Giannis‘s current production.
It also can’t be overstated how much Giannis means to the city of Milwaukee. He brought the team its first championship in 50 years, and the fans have seen him grow from an unknown teenager into one of the biggest stars in the world. Giannis‘s journey both on the court and in life has made him a fan favorite like no other. And trading him away would surely alienate many diehard Bucks supporters.
Of course, if Giannis demands a trade, that’s a completely different story. But with his current level of play and track record in Milwaukee, the Bucks owe him the courtesy of not pulling a surprise trade.
Not only would it be terrible for their brand, but it would also probably be the wrong decision from a basketball perspective. Nico Harrison already learned how destructive a superstar trade can be, so hopefully the Bucks don’t need to experience the same lesson firsthand.