Portland reportedly 'prepared to make a pitch' for Giannis Antetokounmpo next summer
The goal would be to pair Antetokounmpo with his former Bucks teammate Damian Lillard and a strong young core.
If you're wondering how Portland owner Tom Dundon’s penny-pinching ways — or even the reputation of it — can hurt the Trail Blazers on the court, this situation is a great example. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to make a run at two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo if/when he becomes available for a trade this offseason, reports Bill Oram of The Oregonian . The idea would be to reunite the former Milwaukee teammates in the Pacific Northwest.
"Having Lillard back, especially on a bargain $14 million contract, makes the Blazers better on the court, but it also gives the front office greater urgency to go all in and chase other stars. The Blazers are prepared to make a pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo as long as he is willing to sign an extension but are not likely to limit their options to Lillard's former Milwaukee teammate. " A few thoughts here, in bullet point form.
• The key part of that paragraph is "as long as he is willing to sign an extension. " Antetokounmpo has one more season (then a player option) on his current contract. Any team that trades for him is going to want him to sign an extension.
That's what gives Antetokounmpo leverage in the trade talks, he can tell a team "I will not re-sign with you" and they will likely bow out of the running. • It's highly unlikely Antetokounmpo would extend in Portland. If Antetokounmpo is leaving Milwaukee, it's to go to a team with a real chance to win a title — he has said that is his primary motivation.