Alexander Gaitan 20/09/2023 NBA
The NBA will return in just over a month. After more than three months without matches in the best league on the planet, the 2023/24 season is just around the corner: on October 1st the Media Day throughout the league and on five comes the first friendly. And while players, coaches, press and fans prepare for the course that begins shortly, the managements of 29 franchises already have one eye on the next transfer market, which could be one of the most succulent of the decade. Especially in the case of Giannis Antetokounmpo and his possible departure from Milwaukee.
Giannis’s summer has not been without controversy, quite the opposite. After the surprising defeat against the Miami Heat in the first round, in which his statements after the fifth game practically sentenced Mike Budenholzer in office, the Greek has conducted several interviews where he has talked about his future and the option of leaving Milwaukee. His words, added to the fact that he has not signed a contract extension with the Bucks, for which he is already eligible and that he has made it clear that he does not intend to sign (for economic reasons), has started the wheel of rumors. And his last words haven’t helped.
“I am a Milwaukee Bucks player, but more importantly, I am a winner. I always want to win, and do whatever it takes to win. And if there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien, I have to take that opportunity,” he said in an interview in 48 minutes. They add to the very similar statements he made before the World Cup in the New York Times, where he assured that for him it is key that the entire team is on the same page. “I wouldn’t be the best version of myself if I didn’t know that we were all on the same page, we were all going for the ring and sacrificing time. If I don’t feel that way, I’m not going to sign the extension.” Gasoline on fire.
Giannis’ comments have completely changed the paradigm in the NBA. The teams, which during this summer have called to ask about Damian Lillard or other stars who have been available or on the market, have changed their focus of interest. Because in recent weeks, the Greek has opened a door through which a slight crack of hope has entered: is it possible to get Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks? ESPN insider Zach Lowe believes every action by the Greek is designed to put pressure on the franchise that, if not competing for the ring this year, towards a possible transfer. Because in 2024 the Bucks will stand with only one year of guaranteed contract and the doubt of a possible free departure.
After the 2021 ring, the Bucks have not been to the conference finals again. In 2022 they fell in seven against Boston, the eventual finalist, with the loss of Khris Middleton. This past season the blow was harder: they fell in the first round despite having the best record in the NBA, in five games, and being greatly surpassed by the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler. In the off-season, Milwaukee replaced Budenholzer with Adrian Griffin, a rookie coach in the NBA, but there have been no major changes to the roster. They re-signed Middleton and Brook Lopez, got Robin Lopez and Malik Beasley at minimums and let Joe Ingles, Jevon Carter and Wesley Matthews go. It may be the last chance for these Bucks.
“If there is a 1%, 2% or even 5% chance of getting Giannis Antetokounmpo, do we have to spend our assets now?” is a question that is being asked in the NBA, according to Lowe. “Teams are having meetings to rethink the long-term strategy,” especially in a draft from which talents like Victor Wermbanyama or Scoot Henderson are not expected. Although Giannis won’t be the only top-level player that managers across the league will be keeping an eye on. Adrian Wojnarowski explained it on ESPN: “There may be a lot of talent on the market available for transfers. Maybe in February, maybe in summer. That’s why teams are saving assets they could use on Lillard to wait.”
And among the names, one stands out. Joel Embiid is in a similar situation, but without a ring and with a guaranteed contract until 2026. In the case of the Cameroonian, the James Harden crisis has shaken the foundations of an organization that has not yet managed to move forward after the process. There has been talk of Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam’s name has been on everyone’s lips and even a departure for Donovan Mitchell has been rumored, mainly for not having signed the extension. With the arrival of the new CBA, an important movement of talent is expected in the next 12 months and it can all start with a domino piece: a Greek, two-time MVP and champion. With the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks.
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2023-09-20 07:15:05
#Goal #NBA #teams #thinking #Giannis #Antetokounmpo
