Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently out with a calf injury, but that hasn’t stopped the trade rumors from swirling around him.
According to insider Marc Stein (subscription) the two teams expressing the most interest are the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, both of which have long coveted the Greek superstar.
Milwaukee will do everything in their power to avoid this outcome, but it’s increasingly looking like it might be the only way they have out of the mess they have created, as their roster is old, expensive and not very good without Giannis.
Interestingly, the Pistons were named as the team that would have the easiest route to land Giannis according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, but it’s highly unlikely given the cost and the fact that the Pistons are doing just fine without him as the first place team in the Eastern Conference.
The Pistons aren’t trading for Giannis, at least not at this trade deadline, but if Giannis is moved, it might make the Pistons’ path to the Finals easier.
The Miami Heat and New York Knicks should be careful what they wish for
Every time a superstar name comes up in trade talks or free agency, the Heat and Knicks are mentioned, as they play in desirable markets and in the case of Miami, one that comes with sun and no state income tax.
Giannis has expressed interest in both teams as possible destinations, and if he does get traded, I’d be surprised if it wasn’t to either the Heat or Knicks.
This could actually be a good thing for the Pistons.
Whatever team trades for Giannis is going to have to gut their roster to do it, as well as give up all of their draft assets, which we know is a risky proposition given his age and injury history.
Giannis has suffered myriad calf injuries over the last few seasons, and most of them have just been during routine movements, so this is a problem that isn’t likely going away with age.
Giannis may be out for 4-6 weeks, or he could miss the rest of the season, as there is no timetable for his return.
In the case of the Knicks, that would almost be punting on this season, as they’d have to give up a couple of players to get him and be shorthanded while they wait for him to return. Then they’d have to try and work Giannis back into a rotation full of new teammates right as the playoffs are starting.
I still wouldn’t fancy facing Giannis in a playoff series, but that’s a tough ask, and if he doesn’t come back, would all but remove New York as a threat.
The Heat aren’t much of a threat now, as they are currently outside of the playoff picture and would have to get there via the play-in tournament. I’m not sure they even have the package to land Giannis, but Miami thinks they can build one around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware and picks, but it would require at least one more contract to make the salaries work (This is where the Terry Rozier sage becomes HUGE for Miami).
That might require them to move Norman Powell, who is on an expiring contract and is a guy who could definitely help the Pistons if they wanted to get involved.
That leaves the Heat with Bam Adebayo and Giannis to build around, and they’d be paying those two nearly $110 million combined next season, making it difficult to build a deep and competitive team around them.
This is especially true when you consider whichever team gets Giannis will then have to extend him at an astronomical number when he is 32 years old.
It could work out, and who knows, maybe the Greek Freak will bring the first title to New York since 1973, but it’s just as likely (more really) that it costs the Knicks their season and blows up their cap sheet for the foreseeable future.
In other words, the Pistons aren't likely getting Giannis themselves, but if he does get traded, it could actually help them.