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Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently on the sidelines for at least six weeks because of a calf injury. His recovery timeline coincides with the February 5 trade deadline, so he could still be with the Milwaukee Bucks at the end of the season. However an NBA insider signaled that it is a matter of when Antetokounmpo will get traded.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's curious case
In a latest episode of "NBA on ESPN," the network's NBA front office insider Bobby Marks explained the scenario between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. Both parties are seeking closure, and it will likely take place during the offseason when teams will have more available options to trade.
"I do think it's run its course," Marks said. "I think for the health of both sides, we've we've seen what the product is on the court right now. ... It is a below average product. It is at best a play-in ninth, 10th team, and how do you kind of kick, instead of kicking the can down the road. How do you basically open up the market now? What does the market look like here when you look at the teams that monopolize draft picks?"
Bobby Marks also added that when teams know about their position in the lottery, it will get more interesting. Marks noted a bunch of teams that he thought won't be making a move for Giannis Antetkounmpo, such as the Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs, OKC Thunder and Utah Jazz.
Potential franchises to make move for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Makers also gave sort of advantage to franchises like the Golden State Warriors and LA Lakers because they will get more first-round picks in the offseason. The New York Knicks were also name-dropped, but they don't have enough picks to convince the Milwaukee Bucks to part ways with "The Greek Freak."
NBA insider shares opinion on Giannis Antetokounmpo
ESPN's Marc J. Spears had a hot opinion about Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline. Spears thinks that Antetokounmpo has played his last game for the Milwaukee Bucks. He also urged the Bucks to trade the two-time MVP to the Atlanta Hawks.
"I think he's played his last game in a Bucks uniform," Spears said. "There’s so much benefit for him not playing. When you could make a trade for him now with Atlanta and get that generational piece, maybe the No. 1 pick and No. 2 pick. You play him, and they win, it pushes back their potential pick further. To me, it benefits them to sit him."
The Bucks decline to share an official timetable for Antetokounmpo's comeback from a calf injury, which makes the upcoming 10 days very interesting.
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