Portland reportedly 'prepared to make a pitch' for Giannis Antetokounmpo next summer

TL;DR

The Portland Trail Blazers are preparing to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo next summer if he becomes available for trade. They aim to reunite him with former teammate Damian Lillard, contingent on Antetokounmpo agreeing to sign an extension.

Key points

Portland Trail Blazers plan to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo next summer
Reunion with former teammate Damian Lillard is a key factor
Antetokounmpo has one more season on his current contract
Any trade requires him to agree to sign an extension
Lillard's contract gives the Blazers greater urgency to chase stars

Portland Trail BlazersMilwaukee BucksGiannis AntetokounmpoDamian Lillard

If you're wondering how Portland owner Tom Dundon’s penny-pinching ways — or even the reputation of it — can hurt the Trail Blazers on the court, this situation is a great example.

The Portland Trail Blazers plan to make a run at two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo if/when he becomes available for a trade this offseason, reports Bill Oram of The Oregonian. The idea would be to reunite the former Milwaukee teammates in the Pacific Northwest.

"Having Lillard back, especially on a bargain $14 million contract, makes the Blazers better on the court, but it also gives the front office greater urgency to go all in and chase other stars. The Blazers are prepared to make a pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo as long as he is willing to sign an extension but are not likely to limit their options to Lillard's former Milwaukee teammate."

A few thoughts here, in bullet point form.

• The key part of that paragraph is "as long as he is willing to sign an extension." Antetokounmpo has one more season (then a player option) on his current contract. Any team that trades for him is going to want him to sign an extension. That's what gives Antetokounmpo leverage in the trade talks, he can tell a team "I will not re-sign with you" and they will likely bow out of the running.

• It's highly unlikely Antetokounmpo would extend in Portland. If Antetokounmpo is leaving Milwaukee, it's to go to a team with a real chance to win a title — he has said that is his primary motivation. Portland, while it has a promising young core with some veteran talent, is not a title contender — and Antetokounmpo would be moving into a conference with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder and Victor Wembanyama's Spurs. The road to the Finals from the West is brutal. Obviously, the idea is that adding a top-five player in the world (when healthy) to Portland makes a good team a contender, but would it still be that with what the Trail Blazers would have to send back to the Bucks?

Q&A

What are the Portland Trail Blazers' plans for Giannis Antetokounmpo?

The Blazers plan to make a pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo if he becomes available for trade next summer.

Why is Giannis Antetokounmpo's contract situation important for the Blazers?

Antetokounmpo's contract includes a player option for the following season, giving him leverage in trade talks and requiring any interested team to secure his commitment to an extension.

How does Damian Lillard's contract affect the Blazers' pursuit of Giannis?

Lillard's affordable $14 million contract enhances the Blazers' ability to chase other stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo.

What does Giannis Antetokounmpo need to agree to for a trade to happen?

For a trade to occur, Giannis Antetokounmpo must be willing to sign an extension with the team that acquires him.