NBA rumors: Shams reveals ‘largest factor’ in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade destination

Following their first NBA championship in several decades in 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks have failed to return to that mountaintop and missed the NBA Playoffs entirely this season after winning only 32 of 82 games.

For superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the face of the franchise who has played his entire 13-year NBA career with the club, that could mean major changes. He’s made it clear that he wants to spend his career competing for championships, and right now, the Bucks aren’t in an ideal spot to do so.

Known as the “Greek Freak”, Antetokounmpo’s name has surfaced in trade rumors, and according to noted NBA Insider Shams Charania, rival executives are waiting with bated breath on his alleged list of desired teams he’d accept a blockbuster move to.

“Rival executives believe that Antetokounmpo’s desired teams will be the largest factor in his trade destination,” Charania wrote via ESPN. “He is essentially on an expiring contract with next season guaranteed in his deal before a player option in 2027, providing him leverage to navigate to a specific team based on whether he would agree to stay long term given the players and picks needed to acquire him. He becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million contract extension Oct. 1 if he is not traded, or six months after being traded with a new team.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who the Bucks selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, led the club to its first title in 50 years with a historic victory over the Phoenix Suns in 2021. This past season, he averaged 27.6 points per game along with 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists.

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