With 28 NBA teams out of the picture, many fans are already focusing on building their teams through free agency, the draft, and trades. Although the draft is still over three weeks away and free agency kicks off in just a week, the NBA rumor mill is already in overdrive.
However, fans might have to be patient for any major moves to happen.
This is because Giannis Antetokounmpo is the pivotal player who must make his free agency decision first. He has yet to meet with Milwaukee’s front office and possibly ownership to decide his future, as highlighted in Mark Stein’s recent Substack article.
Durant is eager to enter the trade market this offseason, but that won’t likely take off until it’s clear whether Giannis plans to stay in Milwaukee or seek a trade himself.
The reasoning is straightforward. Teams interested in acquiring Durant, who will be 37 next season, want to pair him with a prime 30-year-old Giannis. These teams are holding back their moves until Giannis makes his decision and then will turn their attention to Durant or explore other options.
Don’t assume Giannis will definitely leave Milwaukee. While it’s likely, nothing is set in stone.
If winning is his priority, Giannis could push for trades to teams like Houston or San Antonio, where franchises could quickly become contenders and then serious competitors. Moving west would mean joining an already stacked Rockets team that reached two straight Western Conference Finals, competing with powerhouse teams like the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder, Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets, a loaded Lakers squad with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Spurs improving with Victor Wembanyama, the Memphis Grizzlies led by Ja Morant, the Clippers featuring James Harden, and several other strong teams.
Giannis might prefer to stay in the East. Despite Boston missing Jayson Tatum for much of the season, trade options within the Eastern Conference (Brooklyn, New York, Toronto, Cleveland, and others) would come at a high cost, likely limiting Milwaukee’s ability to build a strong supporting cast around him. This would basically leave him in a similar situation to now with the Bucks.
If Milwaukee can convince Giannis to stay with a two-year rebuilding plan, only he can decide if that aligns with his goals.
The rest of the NBA’s trade market action is on hold until Giannis makes his decision.
Fan Take: This development is crucial for basketball fans because Giannis’s decision will set the tone for the entire league’s offseason moves and competitive landscape. If he stays or goes, it could reshape power dynamics across the NBA, making it an exciting and pivotal moment for the sport.
