NBA – An expert takes the plunge: “I’d swap Giannis directly for this player”.

Par Guillaume Kagni | Journaliste sportif

It’s shaping up to be an eventful summer for many superstars, not least Giannis Antetokounmpo. After yet another early exit for his Bucks, the two-time MVP could ask for a trade. For Bill Simmons, a destination seems obvious.

As the playoffs draw to a close with the two conference finals, there’s one certainty in the league: the summer will be one of uncertainty for many franchises. For example, the Celtics and Nuggets, who have just been eliminated, are likely to be on the move to lower their payroll and, above all, to get back to a squad capable of playing for the title.

For the Bucks, once again eliminated in the first round, the project could be quite different. With Damian Lillard injured for many months to come and the squad lacking any youngsters capable of exploding and becoming All-Stars, the time may well be ripe for rebuilding. Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t be wasting his prime on a mediocre team and could ask for a transfer.

Giannis Antetokounmpo soon in Cleveland?

The question in NBA microcosm is: where will he land? Cleveland, with the best record in the regular season, is said to be on the case, which pleases journalist Bill Simmons. According to Simmons, a single-player swap could help to settle negotiations. Will the leaders have the guts to agree?

What do we think about a dry swap between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Evan Mobley, who’s almost 7 years younger? If I’m the Bucks I’m in, and I think I’m in if I’m Cleveland. It’s an excellent trade. The question is whether the Cavaliers will overreact after the elimination, or find extenuating circumstances.

But in an Eastern Conference that will be weaker with Jayson Tatum’s injury, you can have a trio of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Giannis Antetokounmpo. I think that with this trade Cleveland becomes the automatic favorite to reach the Finals.

On paper, a trade between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Evan Mobley could be a win-win situation. The Cavaliers would have a real superstar on the roster and Donovan Mitchell would have less pressure, especially in the playoffs. As for the Bucks, they’d get a promising young talent capable of embodying the future of the franchise. The problem is that the Bucks may not want to send the Greek Freak to a direct competitor in the East.