Giannis Antetokounmpo’s uncertain future in Milwaukee loomed large over this lengthy summer of Damian Lillard trade talks. His repeated public comments — first to the New York Times, then to the "48 Minutes" podcast — didn’t fall on deaf ears. When a two-time MVP loudly claims he’s not signing an extension with his incumbent franchise, in part to evaluate if Milwaukee was still as committed to championships as he is, the Bucks and rival front offices certainly heard him loud and clear.
It was thought Toronto and Miami, the two teams most league executives pinned Lillard’s sweepstakes between, were attempting to save powder and draft capital in their respective pursuits of Lillard, should Antetokounmpo ever become available before his current deal with the Bucks expires in 2025.