Portland Trail Blazers Part of Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Talks 'On Multiple Fronts'
· Yahoo Sports
The perceived deadline that the Milwaukee Bucks would like to have dealt Giannis Antetokounmpo by has always been the NBA Draft.
Mere days from the annual event in Brooklyn, the "Greek Freak" has yet to be moved. The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat have long been considered the frontrunners, and as the deadline draws near, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge of who may end up involved in the eventual blockbuster.
Visit esporist.org for more information.
The Portland Trail Blazers have been after Antetokounmpo since the trade deadline and seem to have a desire to be included in the deal, even without acquiring the two-time MVP.
"The Portland Trail Blazers have been involved in Antetokounmpo trade talks on multiple fronts. Portland has discussed trying to acquire Antetokounmpo, and as a potential facilitator because they have two future first-round Bucks swaps in 2028 and 2030, league sources said," HoopsHype's Michael Scotto wrote on Saturday.
As we all know by now, if Portland whiffs on Antetokounmpo, the Blazers hold "serious" interest in Jaylen Brown, who could become available if the Celtics win the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
There have been rumors that the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans could be the Blazers' competition in a bidding war for Brown — however, a new team may be in the mix and pose a threat to Rip City.
The LA Clippers.
In Scotto's update, he wrote that the Clippers are "interested" in Brown, as is Milwaukee in Keaton Wagler.
Wagler is likely to be available when LA is on the clock at pick No. 5 on Tuesday, and the Illinois star is represented by Matt Bollero of ProMondo Sports, who served as the Bucks' senior director of scouting when Milwaukee won a title in 2021.
Regardless of how the next few days shape out, Portland's front office must remain flexible. There's a very high chance that Antetokounmpo won't be a Blazer, and if the Bucks are truly high on Wagler, there's a good chance Brown won't be either.
Should that possibility become reality, Portland's brass should determine who the Blazers' next head coach will be before chasing another big name. Finalizing a deal with a coach would allow the franchise to craft a better vision for the future rather than continuously chasing whatever star comes available.
The end of this saga is coming. Antetokounmpo will be moved soon, and Portland needs to be ready to pivot if these massive blockbusters don't break in its favor.