Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Had Eyes On Heat, Mavericks In 2020
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had eyes for the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks in 2020.
Antetokounmpo wound up signing a $228 million extension with the Bucks in December 2020 and guided the franchise to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns.
The Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers last season. They are not expected to be a landing spot for Antetokounmpo anymore.
Dallas is open to exploring the trade markets for Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell and Daniel Gafford after firing Nico Harrison as general manager.
Meanwhile, the Heat are expected to attempt to acquire Antetokounmpo from the Bucks, who have lost in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row.
Antetokounmpo wanted to be traded to the New York Knicks before the season and a trade almost went through. According to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, if the Bucks are open to discussing Antetokounmpo trades with teams, the Knicks will no longer have the exclusive negotiating window as his preferred destination.
A top 75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The star forward doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
A future Hall of Famer, Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game this season while shooting 63.9% from the field and 63.5% from the free-throw line. He’s currently out with a right calf strain.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and nine-time All-Star. He holds career averages of 24.0 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
If Antetokounmpo requests a trade this season, almost every contender will attempt to acquire the NBA legend.
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