Giannis Antetokounmpo is the reigning two-time MVP and arguably the best pure talent in the NBA today. As a result, he is extremely sought-after by just about every organization. The Portland Trail Blazers are no exception.
This week, a fan suggested that Antetokounmpo join Portland, and that elicited an immediate response from the franchise’s marquee star, Damian Lillard.
🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/1Yq18Bb9PE
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) November 15, 2020
A few days ago Antetokounmpo did an interview in which he gave a bit of a cryptic response to how he foresees his future with the Milwaukee Bucks going.
“I do not know what the plan is,” he said.
Arguably the worst jerseys in sports history. https://t.co/c0y3BDd5Ut
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 15, 2020
“It depends on what decisions they make. If they make the right decision, I’ll be there for many years. If they do not, we’ll see. The NBA is business and we take it day by day. Hopefully we can succeed together.”
Antetokounmpo hears all the rumors and speculation about his status, but realizes there is little he can actually do about it.
Arguably the worst jerseys in sports history. https://t.co/c0y3BDd5Ut
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 15, 2020
“There are a lot of rumors,” he said. “Everyone has opinions. But at the end of the day, I will do what is best for my family. I do not see why I could not be in Milwaukee for several years.
“As long as Milwaukee and I are on the same page when it comes to being one of the best teams in the league and winning championships, that’s fine.
“When it changes, it will not be good. It’s easy, I want to be a winner. I do not care about the money. My family is fine and I can take care of my children and grandchildren so that’s not the most important thing right now, it’s winning. As long as we can win and create a winning culture, it will be good.”
Antetokounmpo’s next supermax deal will be worth somewhere in the $220 million to $250 million range if he remains with Milwaukee. Should he opt to go elsewhere, Antetokounmpo is looking at a four-year deal in the $140 million to $160 million range.
Dwight Howard kept it very real. https://t.co/aE7f0VaDIA
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 14, 2020
To date, Antetokounmpo has been linked to the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and now Blazers. It remains to be seen if anything will actually materialize on that front, though.
The Bucks, meanwhile, are in a desperate scramble to get Antetokounmpo some help. Deals centering around Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, and Victor Oladipo have been discussed.
One way or another, the drama surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future will get resolved sooner rather than later. Where will he be sitting when the music stops? Time will tell.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
