Stunning report claims Giannis Antetokounmpo REFUSED to team-up Jimmy Butler, told Bucks not to trade for superstar
Giannis Antetokounmpo vetoed a trade that would've brought Jimmy Butler to Milwaukee.
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Giannis and Middleton (R); Jimmy Butler (L); (via Twitter.com)
The recent news that Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks has sent everyone into a frenzy. While it was speculated that Lillard would be teaming up with Jimmy Butler in Miami, he is now with Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, a report reveals that this situation could have happened the other way around, with Butler going to the Bucks in 2018, had Antetokounmpo not interfered and vetoed the trade.
In 2018-2019, the Bucks still weren’t quite the powerhouse they have been known to become. They had a lot to accomplish, and they were looking for the right players he could help them do that. One of the players they considered was Butler. Butler, who was then with the Minnesota Timberwolves, was looking for a trade. The Bucks had eyes on Butler apparently and they asked Antetokounmpo for his opinion. Upon learning that the Bucks would have to trade Khris Middleton to get Butler, Giannis immediately shut the deal down.
It appears that if Antetokounmpo had not vetoed the trade, Butler could have very well been a part of the Milwaukee Bucks instead of the Miami Heat.
The wisdom of this decision is up to debate. While the Bucks did win one championship with the Antetokounmpo-Middleton duo n 2021, they did fall to a Butler led Heat team in last year’s playoffs. Plus, ever since 2021, Middleton has faced injury issues and is definitely not the same level of player he used to be. Between the two, Butler is clearly the better option now. Had he been traded to the Bucks back then it is entirely possible that the Bucks might’ve enjoyed more success. However, since the trade didn’t take place, all of this is purely speculation on the part of fans.
What does Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future look like now
Though they didn’t trade for a star player all those years ago, the Milwaukee front office hasn’t repeated that same mistake again. The Damian Lillard trade might very well be the thing that completely elevates how the Bucks play.
Antetokounmpo’s and Lillard’s game complements each other perfectly. Antetokounmpo is a player who is dominant in the paint. Lillard is one of the best perimeter shooters the league has ever seen. The two could work in tandem, spacing out the Bucks offence, greatly improving it. This improvement is exactly what the Bucks need to find significant post-season success.
After being knocked out of the first-round in the playoffs last year by the Miami Heat, the Bucks will seek revenge this season. It should be easier this time around with their offense likely to be improved. However, the Lillard trade has required them to send off Jrue Holiday, one of the league’s best defenders. It will be interesting to see how the Bucks adjust their defense and offense after Lillard’s arrival. For a Milwaukee fan, it seems as if the regular season can’t come soon enough.
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Dhruva Shah
(88 Articles Published)