Reports have been flying in recent weeks connecting the Portland Trail Blazers to a trade pursuit of disgruntled Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. If those rumors have you daydreaming about the two-time NBA MVP playing in Portland, here’s a splash of cold water to the face, courtesy of an article from The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Eric Nehm (subscription required).
[T]he Portland possibility, which has become such a focal point, is, per league sources, unlikely given Antetokounmpo’s
preference to play in the East.
Given Antetokounmpo’s preference to stay in the Eastern Conference, Amick and Nehm went on to break down the chances of him joining four teams not named the Trail Blazers. Those teams included the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers. Among the four, many league sources view Miami as the favorite to win the Giannis Sweepstakes, while Boston is a “wild card” in the hunt, the report said.
The noise surrounding the Miami Heat and Antetokounmpo remains louder than all the rest. Many people around the league, from agents to executives, continue to believe that Antetokounmpo will end up in Miami when this saga finally comes to an end.
Antetokounmpo doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his deal, but he only has one guaranteed year remaining on his contract and then a player option for the 2027-28 season. That’s why Antetokounmpo’s preference is figured to play such an important role in trade negotiations; suitors run the risk of giving up significant assets to acquire Antetokounmpo for a one-year rental if he doesn’t want to stay.
While this latest report from The Athletic said Antetokounmpo’s East Coast preference makes a Portland pairing unlikely, NBA reporter Chris Haynes did say last week that the star wouldn’t outright refuse any possible future with the Blazers.
“I do believe if Portland were to come with something really serious, I do believe Giannis would at least consider it,” Haynes said during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio’s Deals and Dunks show. “It wouldn’t be a situation where he would just say, ‘Nah. Throw it in the trash.’”
So maybe there’s still hope yet? Only time will tell. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said in early May he wants Antetokounmpo’s future with the franchise settled before the NBA Draft on June 23-24.
