Giannis Antetokounmpo is the cornerstone superstar of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite leading the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021, Giannis was very vocal about needing a better roster around him to lead the organization to potentially another championship.
The Bucks responded by pairing Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard via a blockbuster trade with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Considering Giannis’ recent comments about his future with the Bucks, many expected that he played a great role in pushing the Bucks into trading for Lillard.
However, per NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski via NBA on ESPN on Twitter, the Greek Freak played no role in the Bucks trading for Dame.
“Directly, he literally played no role,” Woj said.
“Directly, he literally played no role.”@wojespn on Giannis’ involvement in the trade for Dame. pic.twitter.com/MRNrDUVb4N
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 28, 2023
This doesn’t come as a surprise since Jrue Holiday was involved in the trade.
Antetokounmpo had a great relationship with Holiday and would have probably vetoed the trade had the Bucks consulted him before making the offer to the Trail Blazers.
But the Bucks front office decided to trade for Lillard and shipped off Holiday to the Trail Blazers.
While trading for Lillard does make the team stronger, it could have an adverse impact on Antetokounmpo’s trust.
After all, he is the superstar of the team.
But can Giannis look past it and focus on winning the NBA championship next season?
After all, Lillard is a much better player than Holiday.
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game in the 2022-23 season as compared to Holiday’s 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.
The Bucks have increased their scoring prowess but at the same time taken a hit in the defensive department with the trade.
