While the Philadelphia 76ers have largely been relegated to the sidelines in this regard, the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumor mill has been up and down since the last few weeks. What was initially believed to be an indubitable focal point across the entire association this summer has faced a dead-end, and for now, things don’t seem to be moving as fast, if at all.
There has been chatter from various outlets since the Bucks were eliminated in embarrassing fashion in the playoffs about Giannis entertaining the thought of wanting to skip town due to Milwaukee’s perilous footing moving forward, but that train has reached an impasse. Now, the onus is on everyone else to prove that the superstar has some semblance of willingness to actually find a new home.
The 76ers have not been linked to Giannis in any credible way, but they are one of the few teams that can actually mount a feasible offer for the two-time MVP. But even if reality prevails and they fail to even get on the transaction table, Philly has already won without doing anything on its own thanks to a new rumor shutting down all talks centered on Antetokounmpo.
New rumor silences Giannis train as the 76ers take a huge leap
Amid muddle speculations on the Giannis trade front, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has dropped a truth bomb, baring that the same has become pretty much inexistent at this point.
“Right now, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions. He has not asked for it. The Bucks are not looking to trade him.”
If so, this is not a mere impasse, but a complete extinguishment. This also proves that the Giannis rumor mill was a byproduct of reactionary takes in light of his team’s resounding ouster in the playoffs at the hands of the Pacers.
This development effectively rules out teams like the Knicks and Celtics, both big rivals for the 76ers, moving forward with their respective reported pursuits of the superstar. In effect, this ensures that Philly retains a tenable path for a smooth return to contention next season, health permitting.
With the opportunity for their rivals to make huge leaps now foreclosed, the 76ers have every reason to believe that they can jump past some of those teams and make a legitimate run next season with the East being wide-open, although the bulk of their collective ceiling will still depend on how they maneuver this offseason.
But for now, suffice to say that the Philadelphia 76ers stand to benefit from this Giannis Antetokounmpo news, with him staying in the East. Sometimes, as they say, it is better to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.