The Philadelphia 76ers currently find themselves situated in a rather frantic player movement train. The 2025 NBA Finals may still be underway, but it has not stopped teams from making some well-documented pursuits in anticipation of the next big name available.
So far, the name leading the pack is Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. After Milwaukee’s unceremonious playoff ouster in the hands of the Pacers, which are currently repping the East in the Finals, the trade chatter surrounding the two-time Most Valuable Player has never gotten stronger, especially with the Bucks facing a pretty bleak immediate future.
The 76ers are not really in the running for the Greek Freak, at least for now, but it seems like that train may not even get any real momentum when the offseason officially begins — much to Philadelphia’s benefit.
Latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade chatter has unintended benefits for 76ers
With the Giannis rumor mill reverting into a silent churn as of late, some are already finding a trade involving him to be a dubious proposition. According to a handful of analysts, rival teams are not starting to get skeptical about the superstar eventually landing in another team this year.
That means that he will be staying in Milwaukee for now which is, of course, in the East. So how does that benefit the 76ers? Well, the incidents of this development plays to their benefit, at least collaterally.
With Antetokounmpo expected to stay put, Eastern Conference teams who were reported to have registered strong interest in striking a deal for the superstar, such as the Knicks and Celtics, should see whatever little chances they have of nabbing him effectively foreclosed. The 76ers’ main rivals will not get a drastic reinforcement through the two-time MVP, and that is, in itself, a huge plus for Philly.
Philadelphia is eyeing a return to contention next season, and it would be a definitive obstacle for them right from the get-go if, say, the Knicks — already reeling from their stagnant footing — or the Celtics — which will be much weaker after the injury to Jayson Tatum — get Antetokounmpo via trade.
Also, even if they do retain Giannis, the Bucks will be further weakened next season with Damian Lillard expected to miss most of next season.
The Philadelphia 76ers need every advantage they can get — both internally and externally — to return to their usual position in the upper echelon in the East. That way, they will have a much better chance at overturning their putrid showing from this season.