Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks has the potential to establish a legacy as the team recently acquired superstar teammate Damian Lillard.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Refused To Let The Bucks Trade For Jimmy Butler In 2018 https://t.co/4ifosfCm8b
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 28, 2023
The Bucks sought out their star player to ask for his approval on combining him with All-Star player Jimmy Butler.
However, Butler ended up in Philadelphia as part of a deal involving three other clubs. This came at that juncture when the Milwaukee Bucks had so much left to prove and were desperate for a championship.
According to league insider Justin Termine, the Bucks came close to trading for Jimmy Butler until Giannis blocked the deal and allowed the 76ers to move forward.
As things stand now, it was an opportunity lost for the franchise.
Former Bucks Big Man John Henson told us on @SiriusXMNBA that the Bucks called Giannis to ask if he wanted to deal Khris Middleton for Jimmy Butler when Butler was unhappy in Minnesota.
According to Henson, Giannis vetoed the deal.
A story I had not heard.
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) September 27, 2023
According to Fadeaway World, Termine said, “Former Bucks Big Man John Henson told us on SiriusXM that the Bucks called Giannis to ask if he wanted to deal Khris Middleton for Jimmy Butler when Butler was unhappy in Minnesota,”
“According to Henson, Giannis vetoed the deal. A story I had not heard.”
The abilities of Jimmy Butler and Damian Lillard are different if compared, but if he had played with the Bucks, they would have won numerous championships by now, and Butler would likely be with them.
At the very least, they would not have fallen to the Miami Heat this past summer. Giannis staying with Khris Middleton cost the squad the chance to add star power.
The Bucks still managed to win a championship, which served to at least partially vindicate Giannis’ choice to keep the team strong.
Giannis could not have known that Middleton would experience health problems after their 2021 championship triumph. Khris has been working hard for years to get back in shape, but he hasn’t quite succeeded.
Butler has taken the Miami Heat to novel heights, and it is because of him that they are once again a competitive team.
Butler has played for the Heat for four seasons and has averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. He has also made two NBA Finals appearances as well.
