There was a time when it seemed inconceivable that Giannis Antetokoumpo would leave the Milwaukee Bucks. However, his unsettling statement last summer about staying long-term with the franchise has further fractured any belief that he would be a Bucks lifer.
Perhaps if the team can win the championship this season, its partnership with the "Greek Freak" will last longer. But based on Milwaukee's dismal start to the regular season, clinching a second title in five years looks like a long shot.
With the Bucks struggling and losing to the Memphis Grizzlies via blowout on Thursday, the buzz surrounding Antetokounmpo jumping to another squad sooner than later has become louder.
Miami acquiring Antetokounmpo would spell bad news for the Hornets
According to Bill Reiter of CBS Sports, an executive he has talked to believes an Antetokounmpo deal can happen as early as the coming trade deadline. Another executive said there are whispers of possible preferred destinations already, saying, "The teams I've heard are Miami and New York — the Nets, not the Knicks."
Should the Charlotte Hornets be concerned about where the two-time MVP might land in case he makes an exit from Milwaukee?
If they value draft picks, they should be hoping the Brooklyn Nets end up as the winners of the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes if it comes down to them and the Miami Heat.
The Hornets own the Heat's first-round pick in the 2027 draft, although it's lottery-protected, thanks to the Terry Rozier swap last year. An added wrinkle to it is that because of another trade and the Ted Stepien Rule, Miami missing the 2025 playoffs would result in the pick conveying to an unprotected selection in 2028.
So, while the Hornets organization likely doesn't want to pray for another team's misfortune, it will benefit from Miami languishing in the standings. And the chances of that happening diminish if the eight-time All-Star takes his talents to South Beach.
Maybe if there's something Charlotte should wish for, it's that Antetokounmpo would ask to be shipped to the Hornets. Keep in mind that the team has collected a significant amount of trade capital in recent years. Of course, that would merely be a pipe dream, as he would probably want to move to a bigger market if he indeed leaves the Bucks.
Imagine, though, if the Hornets manage to acquire him. With the squad's newfound aptitude beyond the arc, Antetokounmpo would have a field day playing alongside the Hive crew.
But with the odds of getting him being slim to none, the franchise should just focus on bringing in talents through the draft, even if that means not prioritizing making the playoffs this season and hoping that the Heat tread the same path.