Early off-season trade chatter suggests that former NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on his way out of Milwaukee, the city he’s called home since being drafted 15th overall in 2013. Despite the Portland Trail Blazers passing on the 6’11” forward back then, they’re reportedly not among the teams Giannis is eyeing as possible destinations.
However, in his latest Substack post (subscription required), NBA insider Marc Stein mentions both Portland and the New Orleans Pelicans as potential third-party teams that could help facilitate a future trade.
The Pelicans control Milwaukee’s draft picks for the next three years, thanks to the deal that sent Jrue Holiday—and ultimately led to the Bucks’ 2021 NBA title—to Milwaukee. Portland, meanwhile, holds pick swaps with the Bucks for 2028 and 2030, as well as Milwaukee’s 2029 first-rounder, stemming from the 2023 trade that brought Damian Lillard to Wisconsin. According to Stein, there is already “growing anticipation” that the Bucks may look to reclaim some of that lost draft capital from either of these teams.
Leave a Reply