Giannis Antetokounmpo has continued to be a top target among contending teams for the upcoming offseason, including a rising Western Conference team.
According to Bill Oram of The Oregonian, the Blazers are looking forward to a pitch for the Milwaukee Bucks centered around Giannis in the offseason. However, the team remains open for other big-name options.
“The Blazers are prepared to make a pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo as long as he is willing to sign an extension, but are not likely to limit their options to Lillard’s former Milwaukee teammate,” his report said.
“The Blazers are prepared to make a pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo as long as he is willing to sign an extension but are not likely to limit their options to Lillard’s former
Giannis signed a three-year, $186 million extension in 2023, which will see him have a player option in the 2027-2028 season.
Giannis played with Lillard, who has yet to suit up for the Blazers since hurting his left Achilles tendon during the 2024 NBA playoffs with the Bucks, for two seasons, both ending in the first round of the playoffs.
If the Blazers pull it off, they would reunite Giannis, Lillard, and potentially Jrue Holiday in Portland. Giannis and Holiday led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship, the former two-time NBA MVP’s only title so far.
The Blazers have built a strong young core over the past two seasons. The team is now playing in the first round of the playoffs against the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs, led by Deni Avdija, and Scoot Henderson.
Giannis has been in trade talks since the start of the season. It further fueled when the Bucks struggled for most of the season, finishing with just 32 wins and the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference.
Last offseason, the team waived Lillard, who eventually signed with Portland. The Bucks then added Myles Turner, who became a disappointment for Milwaukee in his first season with the squad.
Blazers Now Set Eyes for Loftier Goals
GettyBlazers shifting to bigger goals.
After years of rebuilding, the Trail Blazers are already looking forward for loftier goals. According to team owner Tom Dundon, the team is now shifting away from developmental goals to winning objectives.
“We’ve tried to get this message through the last couple of days that that was fun, and probably necessary, but it’s more fun to win,” he said during a talk with fellow investors in the “Rip City Rising” ownership group.
“It’s more fun to do the things that lead to success and hopefully we’ll start creating more habits, that those processes lead to the kind of winning that I expect, and I think everybody expects.”
Before this season, the Blazers last played in the postseason in 2021 with a team led by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
The Blazers finished with the eighth-best record in the West but beat the Phoenix Suns in the first play-in game to take the No. 7 seed.
Blazers Look to Pull Upset Against the Spurs
GettyThe San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers battle in the NBA playoffs.
For now, the Trail Blazers are focused on gunning for a massive upset against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.
The Blazers stole Game 2 on Tuesday after the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama was taken out of the game due to a concussion.
Game 3 will be on Friday, April 24, and will tip off at 5:30 p.m. in Portland.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors: Blazers Interested in Pursuing $186 Million Star