The 10 Wildest what-if scenarios in Milwaukee Bucks history
By Tyler Watts
3. Mavericks draft Giannis
This is a what-if Bucks fans do not want to think about. Dallas general manager Donnie Nelson was all-in on Giannis Antetokounmpo and wanted to draft him at 13th overall. Nelson and his father Don brought Dirk Nowitzki to the Mavericks and had experience finding international talent. It was owner Mark Cuban who nixed the idea of drafting the Greek Freak to create more cap space to chase free agents.
Dallas had the 13th pick and traded back twice before landing Shane Larkin 18th overall. The 5’11 point guard spent just one season with the Mavericks, and Cuban was left with nothing but regret as Antetokounmpo blossomed into an MVP and champion in Milwaukee.
It is impossible to say what the Bucks would have done if Giannis was off the board. The 2013 draft is not a strong one. Rudy Gobert went 27th overall, but the other best players available were Dennis Schroder, Mason Plumlee, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Gorgui Dieng. Not exactly a group of MVP candidates.
The rebuild in Milwaukee was a quick one as Antetokounmpo blossomed into a superstar. Without him, it could have been a long road back to contention for the Bucks. They draft for upside, but there is no guarantee it hits. The franchise may have had to wait years before landing a star and becoming a serious contender. Thankfully, the Mavericks’ billionaire owner decided to pass on Giannis.