The Portland Trail Blazers’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo may have waivered given the Greek star’s refusal to commit to a long-term contract.
Jake Fischer of the Stein Line reported tonight that the Blazers had been willing to put up “four years of first round draft capital” for Antetokounmpo at February’s NBA Trade Deadline. However, reports that the forward would only extend with a couple select teams has cooled Portland’s interest. The Blazers are not among them.
Antetokounmpo holds a $62.8 million
player option for the 2027-28 season, making him eligible for an extension this summer.
I’m told that Portland, back at the February trade deadline, was prepared to sacrifice up to four years of first-round draft capital in an Antetokounmpo trade … even without knowing for sure that Antetokounmpo would commit to an extension. It is strongly believed that the Blazers are no longer willing to go to such lengths — since it has been conveyed to them that getting such an extension signed is considered unlikely — and that perceived retreat has only fueled the notion that Miami and Boston have little current company at the forefront of these sweepstakes.
Antetokounmpo is widely expected to be moved by the Milwaukee Bucks before next week’s NBA Draft.
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