No one is really counting on the Philadelphia 76ers to emerge as a major player in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes, but in reality, they are one of the very few teams who can extend varied offers to the Bucks. However, that glimmer of hope — which was already nebulous to begin with — might have just gotten completely dimmed by this latest rumor.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, who has internal knowledge about the situation, the whisper around the market point to Milwaukee intending to commence a fire sale in the eventuality that the two-time MVP indeed leaves them via trade. Players like Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma would probably be aggressively shopped in order to fetch the Bucks some more assets.
While that seems like a remote fact for the 76ers, it actually means that the Bucks are not looking for a win-now return package at all. Their front office will be looking to rebuild completely in case they trade Giannis, and that is not a good news for those hoping that Philly can at least get into the transaction table with Milwaukee.
The 76ers are basically done in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes
The 76ers are never going to trade Tyrese Maxey or VJ Edgecombe, who are their franchise cornerstones moving forward. As a result, the most realistic offer they can put up for Antetokounmpo is one of their other stars (Joel Embiid or Paul George), probably Jared McCain, and some more draft capital.
But again, with the Bucks gunning for a future-oriented package in a prospective deal for the Greek Freak, the 76ers have basically been booted out of the race. Milwaukee will never be enticed with the prospect of getting an aging and injured Embiid or George, and Philly is not bad enough for the Bucks to be enamored about their draft picks moving forward.
Of course, it is only rational — if not utterly correct — for the Bucks to want to kick things off from the ground up once more, just like they did before they drafted Giannis in 2013. They will want young players who have legitimate shots at becoming All-Stars or even All-NBA caliber players.
For now, the 76ers do not have any on the roster of that ilk whom they will be willing to part with. As a result, they can kiss their Giannis hopes goodbye, if there was any in the first place.