NBA Executive Thinks Raptors Are A Front-Runner For Giannis Antetokounmpo

Assuming he opts out of his contract next summer, regining NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will be among the most sought-after free agents ever.

Now, there aren’t many indicators to suggest that Antetokounmpo is planning to leave the Milwaukee Bucks, who are on their way to posting the best record in the NBA for a second consecutive year.

But if Antetokounmpo were to test free agency, rather than sign a supermax contract with the Bucks? Well, the defending champion Toronto Raptors could emerge as a potential landing spot for the Milwaukee All-Star.

Speaking to Heavy.com, one NBA executive explained that though they don’t expect Antetokounmpo to depart in free agency, Toronto will be a favorite to win the sweepstakes

“I don’t think he leaves the Bucks,” the executive said. “But if he does, Toronto has to be the front-runner. Staying in Milwaukee, that’s No. 1. But if he can stand the cold, Toronto is the perfect situation for him, the next best thing.”

Though it’s hard to imagine Antetokounmpo playing elsewhere beyond the 2020-21 season, the Raptors certainly have a lot to offer, should he consider leaving Milwaukee.

The Raptors have grown into a model organization, boasting the second-best record in the Eastern Conference despite losing Kawhi Leonard in free agency. Antetokounmpo is already on a championship contender in Milwaukee, but he’d unquestionably make the Raptors the team to beat in the East.

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Of course, the Raptors also eliminated the Bucks in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals last year. Toronto is probably Milwaukee’s biggest threat in the East right now, but if Giannis joined them, there’d be little competition — and the Raptors would have an easy path to the Finals.

Fitting Antetokounmpo under their salary cap won’t be hard, either. The contracts of Marc Gasol, Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka are up after this season, and Kyle Lowry is scheduled to enter free agency next summer — although it’s reasonable to believe Toronto will extend him if they manage to land Antetokounmpo.

Even if the Raptors don’t land Antetokounmpo, there are plenty of other superstars that they could look to recruit in 2021. The class could include the likes of Leonard, LeBron James, Paul George, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Gordon Hayward, among others. Most of these stars will likely stay with their respective teams, but the Raptors certainly have a lot to offer.

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