NBA defending champion Toronto Raptors are unlikely to repeat history in the ongoing campaign, but the grand plan is to rebuild the Canada-based club in the next few years. To get the team into title contention once again, the Raptors are looking to grab Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee.
That's happening in 2021 if and when the reigning NBA MVP enters free agency, Fadeaway World reported, pointing to the claims made by The Athletic's John Hollinger.
"Sources say the Raptors are likely to be one of the chief pursuers of Giannis Antetokounmpo if and when he hits the 2021 free-agent market, so any moves that eliminate the possibility of max cap space that summer would be extremely unlikely," the journalist was reported as saying.
Toronto keeping an eye on "The Greek Freak" is understandable as the team instantly lost its luster with the departure of Kawhi Leonard last summer. The thrust now for the Raptors front office is to rebuild, and Antetokounmpo just might the core of the plan to win titles again in the near future.
The numbers turned in by the 24-year-old are nothing short of impressive. He averaged 27 points and supported that with 12 recoveries per game, plus dishing nearly six assists for each outing. Antetokounmpo's accuracy from the floor was certainly MVP-caliber at 57%.
Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens is a fan, telling The Boston Globe that the power forward has evolved so swiftly, which explains his MVP win at a young age.
"There aren't many human beings that can do that," Stevens told the publication, adding that the Bucks have a potent transition player in Antetokounmpo.
The Celtics coach also stressed that one of Antetokounmpo's winning qualities is his innate desire to always play hard, unmindful of the game settings. Stevens said consistency will surely bring the young MVP to greater heights.
Clutch Points said Toronto wanting to sign the Bucks superstar is part of the steps that point to rebuilding. The Canadian recently extended the contracts of Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry, the latter getting a one-year extension amounting to $30 million.
Gunning for the Antetokounmpo will be the culmination of the Raptors reconstruction, and the same report said there will be key adjustments to happen in the buildup of getting him to the team.
There is no glaring sign for now that Antetokounmpo will want an exit from Milwaukee, but pundits said the developments between now and 2021 should play a factor. If the Bucks will surge and get Antetokounmpo into having shot at an NBA ring, then it will be hard to tempt him.
However, a direction on the opposite end will certainly convince him to reconsider staying a longer time in Milwaukee. There will be an open door for suitors in such a case, and Toronto is sure to be the first to line up.
