Woj: Giannis’ Decision Based On Chance To Win, Not Market Size

[CelticsElite]

Giannis Antetokounmpo has until December 21st to decide whether to sign he will sign a supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks. Antetokounmpo could also sign the same contract in July as a free agent in 2021 should he decide not to sign it.

While some small market franchises have been concerned about the supermax contract not going far enough to financially motivate players to not leave in free agency or by angling for a trade, market size won't be a factor in the decision of Antetokounmpo.

"The league needs 30 teams that are operating at, listen, they will always be operating at different levels," said Adrian Wojnarowski on his podcast. "If the league is so top-heavy with star players in big markets, it does make it hard to be as vibrant as it needs to be. This is a league that will continue to try to figure that out. It does get back to having well-run organizations. The counter to that is 'run your organization well. Do a good job. Make the guy want to stay'"

The San Antonio Spurs have historically been an example of a small market franchise who kept stars like David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker because they have been well-run. San Antonio, however, had a disconnect with Kawhi Leonard in 2018 centered on management of his quad and their eagerness to surround him with other stars. The Spurs traded Leonard to the Toronto Raptors after he rejected a supermax extension.

"The challenge for the Bucks is just selling him on winning," said Wojnarowski. "I know this about Giannis: his decision is not about wanting to be in a big market and have all the trimmings that come with Los Angeles or New York or wherever it is. I don't think that's part of his decision making. I think at his core he's immensely loyal. I believe he loves the people in Milwaukee. Loves that community. He loves the organization. But he wants to win and that's what he's weighing."

Wojnarowski adds that we shouldn't assume Antetokounmpo plans to not sign the supermax just because he hasn't signed it yet.

http://www.espn.com/espnradio/podcast/archive/_/id/26974840

[ederson]

Whoever thought that Antetokoumpo was interested in the market size clearly hasn't been paying attention

[SparzWizard]

So...Lakers, Nets, Clippers basically.

But...can we get Giannis without losing Tatum and Brown? I'll be happy to gut anyone else from the team though.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I hope Giannis stays in Milwaukee. That city deserves to have a good basketball team.

Besides, I don't think Boston could get him without giving up Tatum AND Brown, and what would be the point in that?

[Jvalin]

So...Lakers, Nets, Clippers basically.

But...can we get Giannis without losing Tatum and Brown? I'll be happy to gut anyone else from the team though.

If he wants to maximize his chances to win, I believe his best bet is Dallas. Giannis and Luka would take the league by storm. They wouldn't even need Porzingis to stay healthy.

That being said, I believe he'll stay in Milwaukee.

[Smartacus]

Its tough for him because there are 4 clear cut options that have a greater path to a championship than Milwaukee.

Dallas
Miami
Toronto
Golden State

All of those except for maybe Toronto are better roster fits than Milwaukee and even Toronto has the Euro city feel to it and a top 3-5 President of Basketball Operations.

Dallas has the best running mate in Luka and a big in KP that can go to war with him in the post and stretch defenders from behind the arc.

Miami has Bam and Jimmy Butler(I've heard they'd have to lose Hero to acquire Giannis). Proven championship level toughness with decent skill position players like Dragic.

Finally GS. You just look at what they were when they had Durant. If they can soft reset this year and Klay can ever find his way back its hard not to view them as a greater option than Milwaukee.

I think he finds his way to Dallas or Toronto when all is said and done.

[jambr380]

Its tough for him because there are 4 clear cut options that have a greater path to a championship than Milwaukee.

Dallas
Miami
Toronto
Golden State

All of those except for maybe Toronto are better roster fits than Milwaukee and even Toronto has the Euro city feel to it and a top 3-5 President of Basketball Operations.

Dallas has the best running mate in Luka and a big in KP that can go to war with him in the post and stretch defenders from behind the arc.

Miami has Bam and Jimmy Butler(I've heard they'd have to lose Hero to acquire Giannis). Proven championship level toughness with decent skill position players like Dragic.

Finally GS. You just look at what they were when they had Durant. If they can soft reset this year and Klay can ever find his way back its hard not to view them as a greater option than Milwaukee.

I think he finds his way to Dallas or Toronto when all is said and done.

Honestly, almost anywhere that Giannis could sign is going to look MUCH better if they don't have to give anything up for him. It's almost too bad Giannis isn't doing the list of teams thing Harden is doing. If the Cs made that list, they could trade Brown/role players/picks for him and we would have a dynasty.

[td450]

Its tough for him because there are 4 clear cut options that have a greater path to a championship than Milwaukee.

Dallas
Miami
Toronto
Golden State

All of those except for maybe Toronto are better roster fits than Milwaukee and even Toronto has the Euro city feel to it and a top 3-5 President of Basketball Operations.

Dallas has the best running mate in Luka and a big in KP that can go to war with him in the post and stretch defenders from behind the arc.

Miami has Bam and Jimmy Butler(I've heard they'd have to lose Hero to acquire Giannis). Proven championship level toughness with decent skill position players like Dragic.

Finally GS. You just look at what they were when they had Durant. If they can soft reset this year and Klay can ever find his way back its hard not to view them as a greater option than Milwaukee.

I think he finds his way to Dallas or Toronto when all is said and done.

If he truly wants to win, its pretty complicated. Dallas is the only situation that really works, because Luka is on a rookie contract, and you could have just those two, give up anything else you have to and then they can rebuild around them easily. Everyone else will have to do some things to get him there that will hurt. Miami doesn't fit well. GS doesn't fit well. Toronto hasn't got a better situation than Milwaukee.

I suppose we might have an outside shot, but Dallas seems to have the best situation.

If he wants a dynasty he just waits and goes to Dallas.

[pearljammer10]

Its tough for him because there are 4 clear cut options that have a greater path to a championship than Milwaukee.

Dallas
Miami
Toronto
Golden State

All of those except for maybe Toronto are better roster fits than Milwaukee and even Toronto has the Euro city feel to it and a top 3-5 President of Basketball Operations.

Dallas has the best running mate in Luka and a big in KP that can go to war with him in the post and stretch defenders from behind the arc.

Miami has Bam and Jimmy Butler(I've heard they'd have to lose Hero to acquire Giannis). Proven championship level toughness with decent skill position players like Dragic.

Finally GS. You just look at what they were when they had Durant. If they can soft reset this year and Klay can ever find his way back its hard not to view them as a greater option than Milwaukee.

I think he finds his way to Dallas or Toronto when all is said and done.

If he truly wants to win, its pretty complicated. Dallas is the only situation that really works, because Luka is on a rookie contract, and you could have just those two, give up anything else you have to and then they can rebuild around them easily. Everyone else will have to do some things to get him there that will hurt. Miami doesn't fit well. GS doesn't fit well. Toronto hasn't got a better situation than Milwaukee.

I suppose we might have an outside shot, but Dallas seems to have the best situation.

If he wants a dynasty he just waits and goes to Dallas.

GSW is the only team that would have to give anything up to get him.

Toronto, Miami, and Dallas could all sign him with cap space (Dallas would have to move Maxi or Powell I think).

Miami and Toronto would lose some cap holds but to sign Giannis you do it.

Miami would have Butler, Bam, Herro under contract  and add Giannis.

Toronto would have Van Vleet, Pascal, and possibly Powell. Lowry they’d need to resign after renouncing.

Dallas would have Luka, Zinger, Richardson (after opting in).

I think any of the above give him a chance to win a title. Dallas, Miami, Toronto in that order. Still think he stays with the Bucks though.

[footey]

My money is on Dallas.

Bam and Giannis an awkward fit in Miami.

[td450]

Its tough for him because there are 4 clear cut options that have a greater path to a championship than Milwaukee.

Dallas
Miami
Toronto
Golden State

All of those except for maybe Toronto are better roster fits than Milwaukee and even Toronto has the Euro city feel to it and a top 3-5 President of Basketball Operations.

Dallas has the best running mate in Luka and a big in KP that can go to war with him in the post and stretch defenders from behind the arc.

Miami has Bam and Jimmy Butler(I've heard they'd have to lose Hero to acquire Giannis). Proven championship level toughness with decent skill position players like Dragic.

Finally GS. You just look at what they were when they had Durant. If they can soft reset this year and Klay can ever find his way back its hard not to view them as a greater option than Milwaukee.

I think he finds his way to Dallas or Toronto when all is said and done.

If he truly wants to win, its pretty complicated. Dallas is the only situation that really works, because Luka is on a rookie contract, and you could have just those two, give up anything else you have to and then they can rebuild around them easily. Everyone else will have to do some things to get him there that will hurt. Miami doesn't fit well. GS doesn't fit well. Toronto hasn't got a better situation than Milwaukee.

I suppose we might have an outside shot, but Dallas seems to have the best situation.

If he wants a dynasty he just waits and goes to Dallas.

GSW is the only team that would have to give anything up to get him.

Toronto, Miami, and Dallas could all sign him with cap space (Dallas would have to move Maxi or Powell I think).

Miami and Toronto would lose some cap holds but to sign Giannis you do it.

Miami would have Butler, Bam, Herro under contract  and add Giannis.

Toronto would have Van Vleet, Pascal, and possibly Powell. Lowry they’d need to resign after renouncing.

Dallas would have Luka, Zinger, Richardson (after opting in).

I think any of the above give him a chance to win a title. Dallas, Miami, Toronto in that order. Still think he stays with the Bucks though.

I don't see how GS can be appealing longer term. Toronto just isn't better than what he has now.

Butler, Bam, Herro are a weird combination for Giannis to bet on. I think we'd be more appealing, at least basketball wise.

Dallas is in a much stronger position than anyone else.

[PAOBoston]

I’m fairly confident Giannis stays in Milwaukee. Don’t think LA is a realistic option. Same with Miami. Toronto could be an option but ultimately I think he takes the super max and stays where he is.

[Moranis]

Its tough for him because there are 4 clear cut options that have a greater path to a championship than Milwaukee.

Dallas
Miami
Toronto
Golden State

All of those except for maybe Toronto are better roster fits than Milwaukee and even Toronto has the Euro city feel to it and a top 3-5 President of Basketball Operations.

Dallas has the best running mate in Luka and a big in KP that can go to war with him in the post and stretch defenders from behind the arc.

Miami has Bam and Jimmy Butler(I've heard they'd have to lose Hero to acquire Giannis). Proven championship level toughness with decent skill position players like Dragic.

Finally GS. You just look at what they were when they had Durant. If they can soft reset this year and Klay can ever find his way back its hard not to view them as a greater option than Milwaukee.

I think he finds his way to Dallas or Toronto when all is said and done.

If he truly wants to win, its pretty complicated. Dallas is the only situation that really works, because Luka is on a rookie contract, and you could have just those two, give up anything else you have to and then they can rebuild around them easily. Everyone else will have to do some things to get him there that will hurt. Miami doesn't fit well. GS doesn't fit well. Toronto hasn't got a better situation than Milwaukee.

I suppose we might have an outside shot, but Dallas seems to have the best situation.

If he wants a dynasty he just waits and goes to Dallas.

GSW is the only team that would have to give anything up to get him.

Toronto, Miami, and Dallas could all sign him with cap space (Dallas would have to move Maxi or Powell I think).

Miami and Toronto would lose some cap holds but to sign Giannis you do it.

Miami would have Butler, Bam, Herro under contract  and add Giannis.

Toronto would have Van Vleet, Pascal, and possibly Powell. Lowry they’d need to resign after renouncing.

Dallas would have Luka, Zinger, Richardson (after opting in).

I think any of the above give him a chance to win a title. Dallas, Miami, Toronto in that order. Still think he stays with the Bucks though.

Yes but the cap holds that Miami and Toronto are actually good players.  Obviously Giannis is better and they'd do it without question, but they aren't just adding Giannis to the teams that were in the playoffs last year.  Toronto in particular would have to give up Lowry and I don't actually think a Siakam/VanVleet duo is better than what Giannis has in Milwaukee.  Bam and Butler make 65 million or so next year, Herro is another 4 alone.  That really starts eating up cap space and the useful roster.

[NKY fan]

Its tough for him because there are 4 clear cut options that have a greater path to a championship than Milwaukee.

Dallas
Miami
Toronto
Golden State

All of those except for maybe Toronto are better roster fits than Milwaukee and even Toronto has the Euro city feel to it and a top 3-5 President of Basketball Operations.

Dallas has the best running mate in Luka and a big in KP that can go to war with him in the post and stretch defenders from behind the arc.

Miami has Bam and Jimmy Butler(I've heard they'd have to lose Hero to acquire Giannis). Proven championship level toughness with decent skill position players like Dragic.

Finally GS. You just look at what they were when they had Durant. If they can soft reset this year and Klay can ever find his way back its hard not to view them as a greater option than Milwaukee.

I think he finds his way to Dallas or Toronto when all is said and done.

If he truly wants to win, its pretty complicated. Dallas is the only situation that really works, because Luka is on a rookie contract, and you could have just those two, give up anything else you have to and then they can rebuild around them easily. Everyone else will have to do some things to get him there that will hurt. Miami doesn't fit well. GS doesn't fit well. Toronto hasn't got a better situation than Milwaukee.

I suppose we might have an outside shot, but Dallas seems to have the best situation.

If he wants a dynasty he just waits and goes to Dallas.

GSW is the only team that would have to give anything up to get him.

Toronto, Miami, and Dallas could all sign him with cap space (Dallas would have to move Maxi or Powell I think).

Miami and Toronto would lose some cap holds but to sign Giannis you do it.

Miami would have Butler, Bam, Herro under contract  and add Giannis.

Toronto would have Van Vleet, Pascal, and possibly Powell. Lowry they’d need to resign after renouncing.

Dallas would have Luka, Zinger, Richardson (after opting in).

I think any of the above give him a chance to win a title. Dallas, Miami, Toronto in that order. Still think he stays with the Bucks though.

Yes but the cap holds that Miami and Toronto are actually good players.  Obviously Giannis is better and they'd do it without question, but they aren't just adding Giannis to the teams that were in the playoffs last year.  Toronto in particular would have to give up Lowry and I don't actually think a Siakam/VanVleet duo is better than what Giannis has in Milwaukee.  Bam and Butler make 65 million or so next year, Herro is another 4 alone.  That really starts eating up cap space and the useful roster.

Miami could offer Giannis around 28-29M next year assuming they keep Butler, Herro, Bam, Robinson and Nunn .. the latter two only have a $2m cap hold so it’s worth keeping them especially Robinson ... Dallas can easily clear space to sign Giannis and keep their core ... both states offer no income tax so they do sound like the best option for him....
another theoretical (and realistic unlike the Knicks and such ) landing spot is the Thunder.
What they can do is : trade for a star not on a max deal ( like Beal ) for 3-4 draft picks... then sign Giannis to the max and then trade Horford , SGA and 4/5 or more draft picks for a third star on a max contract - like harden or someone else that Giannis want ... kinda like Kawhi and the clippers last year.. the only difference is that the thunder have the draft assets to afford those moves ... if someone can pull this off Presti should be up to the task.

[RJ87]

I've learned not to expect anything when it comes to the NBA. So I don't know what he'll do. I hope he stays in Milwaukee because its good for the league, but they have to get a coach that gives them a chance to win in the playoffs. I just don't think Bud gets them over the hump.

I wouldn't mind seeing him in Dallas either. That'd be a fun team.