So … the Milwaukee Bucks have had postseason.
By no means thoughts that they’re not even within the playoffs. Let’s clarify.
It has been three months for the reason that Bucks determined to carry onto Giannis Antetokounmpo on the commerce deadline, partially, as a result of there was an inner perception that the marketplace for his providers can be even higher when the summer season rolled round. However it was at all times a calculated danger, with groups such because the Golden State Warriors, Miami Warmth and Minnesota Timberwolves recognized to have made the form of real pitches on the time that, in the long run, might have confirmed to be higher than something which may come their method down the highway.
At this price, with so many groups which have been tied to Antetokounmpo sooner or later getting bounced both within the Play-In Event or the primary spherical, it’s setting as much as be a possible good storm for Part II of those talks. Until, in fact, he surprises the plenty and indicators a want to signal the four-year, $275 million extension that he’s eligible to signal on Oct. 1.
Add in that Bucks proprietor Jimmy Haslam offered a timeline for his or her plan this week, telling reporters that he expects to have readability on this significant matter earlier than the June 23 draft, and it’s protected to say the Giannis speak will dominate the leaguewide dialog for the foreseeable future.
Particularly after this weekend.
The NBA’s draft lottery is Sunday in Chicago, the place a number of potential Antetokounmpo suitors will lastly know the place their first-round choose lands. That form of intel is essential in famous person discussions like these, because it crystallizes the worth that every workforce can, and might’t, present with their respective proposals.
It would take a while to evaluate which groups are essentially the most severe on this entrance, as the varied entrance places of work and possession teams unpack the deeper which means of their demise. However at first look, the Bucks ought to have little or no hassle sparking one other spherical of authentic curiosity as they determine — but once more — learn how to proceed right here.
Then there’s this actuality to recollect, as effectively: Giannis’ voice will play a pivotal half within the course of. If he has a workforce (or two or three) he actually needs to play for, then that form of endorsement would compel these entrance places of work to really feel comfy placing much more on the Bucks’ desk.
One last item to recollect right here earlier than we dive into all of the completely different workforce dynamics: This record may get even longer after the second spherical. What occurs if the Cleveland Cavaliers get swept by the Detroit Pistons? Or the Timberwolves, who had been one of the crucial aggressive Antetokounmpo suitors on the deadline, can’t measure up in opposition to the Spurs? Or the Lakers, who’re in a deep gap in opposition to the reigning champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and are recognized to be dreaming massive this offseason? Possibly the Knicks, who’re recognized to have piqued Antetokounmpo’s sturdy curiosity up to now, come up in need of the NBA Finals mandate laid down by James Dolan in the course of this season.
The record, beginning with this group that endured early exits and has been tied to Antetokounmpo beforehand, goes on.
(Groups are listed in alphabetical order)
Atlanta Hawks
Playoff end result: Because the No. 6 seed, misplaced to No. 3 New York in six video games
There was a time when the Hawks had been seen as a probable Antetokounmpo suitor, however these instances seem to have modified. As normal supervisor Onsi Saleh appeared to sign throughout his end-of-season press convention, and workforce sources confirmed to The Athletic, the Hawks plan to be very affected person with their younger core and don’t seem prone to pursue Antetokounmpo or every other famous person.
With 24-year-old Jalen Johnson ascending as a significant constructing block, 25-year-old massive man Onyeka Okongwu creating right into a core piece, the addition of 27-year-old Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the emergence of 23-year-old defensive specialist Dyson Daniels, the Hawks (46-36) managed to complete with their finest file for the reason that 2015-16 season. There may be roster work to be executed, as veteran guard CJ McCollum is an unrestricted free agent and 23-year-old wing Jonathan Kuminga has a workforce possibility for subsequent season ($24.3 million).
“We’re actually excited in regards to the future, and what holds there — from the draft to the pliability transferring ahead, (and) all that stuff,” Saleh instructed reporters.
This prudent route, which was reported just lately by longtime NBA reporter Jake Fischer, is buoyed by the truth that they might get fortunate in Sunday’s lottery. The Hawks, who’ve New Orleans’ first-rounder from the notorious Derik Queen deal final June, have a 9.8 % probability of touchdown the No. 1 choose, and a 40.2 % probability of being within the prime 4 (and a 52.9 % probability of touchdown between No. 7 and No. 9).
Boston Celtics
Playoff end result: Because the No. 2 seed, misplaced to No. 7 Philadelphia in seven video games
Even earlier than Jaylen Brown sparked a dialog about whether or not he nonetheless needs to be in Boston this week, when his on-line feedback about this season being the “favourite season of his profession” had been complicated at finest and controversial at worst, league sources had pegged the Celtics as a workforce to observe on the Antetokounmpo entrance.
There have been indicators of curiosity on the February commerce deadline, and it could stand to purpose that the postseason end solely will increase the chances that the Celtics will contemplate something and all the pieces in the case of star gamers. Don’t neglect in regards to the random reward that Antetokounmpo heaped upon Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla again in early April whereas discussing the Bucks’ struggles. However Brown’s feedback, not surprisingly, added gas to this hearth across the Affiliation.
They had been extensively seen as unusual for 2 very apparent causes. For starters, the first-round loss merely wasn’t as much as the Celtics requirements, because it marked the primary time in franchise historical past they gave up a 3-1 playoff collection lead. Secondly, the overwhelming majority of this season that he beloved a lot got here with Jayson Tatum out whereas recovering from his Achilles tendon tear and with Brown dealing with lead-role duties all by himself for as soon as (and certain incomes a justifiable share of prime 5 MVP votes alongside the best way).
It doesn’t take elite detective work to attract sure conclusions from his stance.
Then got here the feedback from Corridor of Famer Tracy McGrady, who stated that Brown was experiencing frustration that “lies deeply within the group” on a podcast together with his cousin and fellow Corridor of Famer, Vince Carter. But there was important pushback on this rising narrative ever since, with Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens telling reporters on Wednesday that he has no data of Brown being annoyed and Brown saying, “If it was as much as me, I might play in Boston the subsequent 10 years.” A workforce supply reiterated as a lot, indicating that there have been no inner points between the 2 sides. A league supply near Brown shared an identical message.
Brown, it’s price noting, is eligible for a two-year, $142 million extension in July and has three seasons left on his present deal (and a mixed $183 million).
However even with out this backdrop, the actual fact stays that the Celtics have an extended historical past of chasing superstars that ought to inform the dialogue round them. They’re working towards a league-record nineteenth title, and this present group didn’t look able to successful it anytime quickly within the playoffs.
Golden State Warriors
Playoff end result: Because the No. 10 seed, misplaced to No. 8 Phoenix within the second Play-In sport
The Warriors would nonetheless love nothing greater than to convey Antetokounmpo to city and, ultimately, signal him to a long-term extension to play alongside Steph Curry in his golden years. However there’s a purpose they had been making an attempt so laborious to get a deal executed on the deadline, as they had been effectively conscious that there can be much more competitors for Antetokounmpo’s providers if this example bought pushed to the summer season. Alas, right here they’re.
That doesn’t imply there’s no hope, however it could assist their doable proposal if the lottery balls landed of their favor. They’ve a 9.4 % probability of being within the prime 4 (together with a 2 % probability at No. 1), however a 77.6 % probability of choosing eleventh (and 12.6 % probability at No. 12).
Houston Rockets
Playoff end result: Because the No. 5 seed, misplaced to the No. 4 Lakers in six video games
The Rockets’ demise in opposition to the Lakers made it fairly clear that they want extra on this roster to raise to true title contender standing. The query, as we chronicled just lately, is whether or not that comes by means of a blockbuster deal for somebody like Antetokounmpo or, given all of the accidents they endured this season, by reuniting with the veterans (Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams) who had been sidelined when the postseason rolled round.
As rival executives typically level out, Houston has the form of elite younger expertise (specifically Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson) that might function the inspiration of a promising pitch. The query now’s whether or not the Rockets, with yet another assured season left on Durant’s deal, really feel compelled to hurry issues up by means of one other famous person or stay affected person with their youthful prospects.
Miami Warmth
Playoff end result: Because the No. 10 seed, misplaced to No. 9 Charlotte within the Play-In sport
Whereas lacking the playoffs for the primary time since 2019 may counsel the Warmth are greater than only one star away from title competition, Pat Riley made it clear the Warmth want to be entrance and heart in any discussions surrounding Antetokounmpo’s subsequent workforce as soon as once more.
In his finish of the season interview, Riley instructed reporters that the workforce can be “aggressive as hell” within the offseason and getting assist for Bam Adebayo was his prime precedence. Some lottery luck would assist considerably on this regard.
The Warmth had been one of the crucial groups in Antetokounmpo at this previous season’s commerce deadline, however finally, the Bucks didn’t wish to make a transfer with them. Would they rethink that stance if the Warmth’s 4.78 % probability of leaping into the highest 4 of this yr’s draft hit? Conversely, would the Warmth nonetheless wish to transfer their first-round choose if it had been within the prime 4? There have been rumblings for fairly a while now that Antetokounmpo can be open to the thought of a Warmth relocation, and it doesn’t damage that he wouldn’t need to pay state taxes in Florida (ditto for the Magic and the Rockets in Texas).
Orlando Magic
Playoff end result: Because the No. 8 seed, misplaced to No. 1 Detroit in seven video games
This younger Magic core that was so inconsistent within the common season confirmed some indicators of life within the playoffs, leaping out to a 3-1 lead earlier than collapsing in opposition to the Pistons. However the end result was an simple disappointment, with the extreme lack of taking pictures proving to be an excessive amount of to beat.
Therein lies the irony of their doable Antetokounmpo curiosity. The taking pictures woes wouldn’t be fastened in the event that they discovered a technique to land him, however he would supply an improve in each different division. Per a workforce supply, there have been no discussions at this level about pursuing Antetokounmpo this summer season. It’s price noting, nonetheless, that the Magic inquired in regards to the risk heading into the February commerce deadline (a workforce supply confirmed a Hoopshype report from late April indicating as a lot).
For the Bucks, the potential attract of a Magic deal is the prospect of touchdown the likes of 23-year-old former No. 1 choose Paolo Banchero (5 years and a mixed $230 million on his deal, together with a participant possibility within the 2030-31 season). The historical past between Antetokounmpo and the Magic’s entrance workplace is price remembering, too, as president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman was the assistant normal supervisor of the Bucks when Antetokounmpo was drafted in 2013, and John Hammond, who’s the Magic’s senior advisor of basketball operations, was the overall supervisor who took him with the fifteenth choose.
May there be a Damian Lillard-Giannis Antetokounmpo reunion in Portland? (Michael McLoone / Imagn Pictures)
Portland Path Blazers
Playoff end result: Because the No. 7 seed, misplaced to No. 2 San Antonio in 5 video games
Final summer season, the Path Blazers featured closely within the faux trades constructed for Antetokounmpo, however not because the workforce Antetokounmpo would swimsuit up for subsequent. As a substitute, Portland was used frequently as a possible third workforce within the commerce packages constructed for Antetokounmpo as a result of the Bucks despatched management of their first-round picks from 2028 to 2030 within the commerce for Damian Lillard earlier than the 2023-24 season.
However now with proprietor Tom Dundon operating the present, the Path Blazers have turn into a workforce that may be eager about making a splash and fast-forwarding their construct by vying for the suitable to turn into Antetokounmpo’s subsequent workforce. Whereas which may not have made a lot sense at the beginning of final summer season, Portland took one other step ahead this season with its first playoff journey since 2021 and appears poised to take one other step subsequent season.
Twenty-five-year-old ahead Deni Avdija made his first All-Star sport. Jrue Vacation, certainly one of Antetokounmpo’s favourite teammates, joined the roster final offseason. And Damian Lillard, the Greek Freak’s operating mate for 2 seasons in Milwaukee, might be able to return from the Achilles tear that may ultimately finish his time with the Bucks.
But there may be important skepticism amongst rival executives that Antetokounmpo would welcome this feature, as he’s believed to be eager about becoming a member of a real title-contender. The Path Blazers, even with him, would doubtless battle to achieve that tier. As these playoffs have proven up to now, becoming a member of a top-tier workforce within the East can be the wiser technique to attain that objective. That sentiment comes up often in leaguewide discussions about what Antetokounmpo may need, because it’s extensively believed he’d want to play for an Japanese Convention workforce.
Toronto Raptors
Playoff end result: Because the No. 5 seed, fell to No. 4 Cleveland in seven video games
When Masai Ujiri — the brand new head man in Dallas — ran the entrance workplace for the Raptors, Toronto was typically linked to Antetokounmpo in commerce rumors. With Ujiri’s fearless method to pursuing famous person abilities and his shared African connections with the Bucks famous person, the Raptors at all times ended up on the record of potential suitors for Antetokounmpo.
Bobby Webster, Ujiri’s longtime no. 2 in Toronto, now runs issues for the Raptors and it may be time for him to consider the form of all-in transfer his former boss would make.
In head coach Darko Rajaković’s third season, the Raptors made the playoffs for the primary time since 2022 and pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink of elimination, however got here up quick within the first spherical. Whereas that may be thought of a powerful first step towards competition for some groups, the Raptors are additional alongside of their construct than you may understand.
The Raptors are already on the hook for over $180 million in wage for his or her prime eight gamers for the 2026-27 season, which suggests they’re already over the projected wage cap of $166 million and barreling in direction of the posh tax and apron strains as effectively. Their wage commitments counsel they plan to be a playoff workforce, and whereas they may like their group that simply had a powerful postseason exhibiting, buying and selling for a two-time MVP might velocity up the method.
