The Philadelphia 76ers have not seen action for a couple of months now, yet the franchise remains a relevant presence in the never-ending rumor mill. With the offseason officially commencing in just a few weeks, fans should expect the front office to kick the tires on what could be a very eventful summer.
One of the biggest narratives this coming offseason is what stands to happen with the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation in Milwaukee. The two-time Most Valuable Player has still not given out a vivid signal about a desired exit, yet he remains the hottest commodity on the trade market right now.
The 76ers have not been on the Greek Freak’s list of preferred landing spots, but Philly remains one of the few teams that can give the Bucks a significant return. Still, it is the Knicks which have been circled out as the franchise that will willingly move heaven and earth to acquire the superstar, especially after their disappointing playoff exit thanks to the Pacers.
The 76ers can put together a better trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo than the Knicks
The Antetokounmpo trade circuit — largely conjured by fans and pundits alike — has been more plagued by guesswork than validated by actual tremors. But despite its muddled profile veracity-wise, there is a good reason why many are still expecting him to end up with a different ball club sooner than later.
Milwaukee has a narrow path to title contention moving forward, especially after Damian Lillard tore his Achilles. Now, it seems like New York is banking on its proximity to a Finals berth and intrinsic allure to make a bold case for Giannis.
Antetokounmpo had previously mentioned that he has a proclivity toward New York, which seems like a perfect recipe for a blockbuster trade. Of course, the Knicks have a slew of fringe stars they can dangle for the superstar, but will that really catch the Bucks’ attention?
The 76ers, for instance, have actual draft capital to put out a more compelling offer for Milwaukee, which will indubitably go on a rebuild if they ship Antetokounmpo away. Meanwhile, the Knicks have very little of that, and it does not make a lot of sense for the Bucks to be satisfied with a return package consisting of players who will only make them a bottom-tier playoff team at best.
For now, it is simply difficult to envision the Knicks getting a deal done for Gianni Antetokounmpo, especially since a team like the Philadelphia 76ers, which are not even rumored to be in the loop for the superstar, can put forth an even better offer on the table for the Bucks.