NBA teams looking to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo when he enters free agency should consider getting Jason Kidd as head coach. The two worked together in Antetokounmpo's early years with the Milwaukee Bucks and appeared to have developed a strong bond. The Greek Freak specifically credits Kidd to his growth as a top-class basketball player.
Kidd coached the Bucks from 2014 to 2018 and there is a chance he could end up in a team that is headlined by Antetokounmpo. The next gig for the Lakers assistant coach will not be in Milwaukee, of course, but it's possible that where he goes next the reigning MVP will follow.
That is the suggestion made by Steve Popper of Newsday, saying that some team owners in the NBA appeared convinced of the link between Kidd and Antetokounmpo. If the New York Knicks, for instance, will Kidd put in charge then the team will have an inside track on the rising superstar.
According to Bleacher Report, the Knicks cleared the way for an interview with the former NBA player, and Kidd himself is quite interested in becoming a head coach again.
It makes sense for teams wanting to sign Antetokounmpo to consider how close the 25-year-old is to his former mentor. The forward said his NBA career flourished because of Kidd and he owes a lot to the bench tactician.
"I'm loyal to the people I work with. I love him as a person. I care about him as a person," Antetokounmpo was reported as saying.
Popper said there is no compelling reason for Antetokounmpo to leave the Bucks anytime soon but the player will see his contract end in 2021 and he could choose to enter free agency instead of signing an extension with Milwaukee. The journalist advised then that teams eyeing to woo the MVP should consider seriously the Kidd factor.
Now while the Lakers assistant is now in consideration for the Knicks top job, it doesn't necessarily mean that he can engineer a blockbuster trade that will see Antetokounmpo heading to New York.
According to Clutch Points, the Bucks superstar will explore the open market looking for a crew that will win him NBA rings and high on his list is the Toronto Raptors. The choice will not come as a surprise as the team is the defending champion and is proving able to win crowns again in the years to come.
The Miami Heat are in the mix too as it cannot be discounted that Pat Riley could win over Antetokounmpo to a life near the beach.
Then there's the Golden State with Stephen Curry already on the charm offensive to recruit Antetokounmpo in hopes of reigniting the Warriors dynasty.
