Why Giannis Antetokounmpo should not go to Golden State Warriors?

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks star who took the Eastern Conference and the NBA by storm since 2016-17 season when he averaged his career-best 22.9 points per game, and since then he has continued to raise those numbers in the coming seasons, even winning the MVP title twice. Apparently, the “Greek Freak” will be a free agent once the NBA calendar flips to 2020-21 season and he will also be entitled to a five-year contract extension in the league. And as the speculations are to be believed, Golden State Warriors would be banking on that opportunity of acquiring him. In fact, ever since Warriors knew that Kevin Durant would pull out of the team by the summers of 2019, the franchise had already started preparing for the opportunities to acquire the Greek Freak.

As for the Bucks, the side has given almost everything to Giannis from fame to money, even making him an MVP in 2017 & 2018, except an NBA championship in his career. Yes, you heard it right! The reigning MVP is yet to win a championship in his career and at the same time, Warriors looking to acquire an MVP on their side to overcome the downfall and win the championship has sparked so many rumours among the fans.

Golden State Warriors are exuberant and also desperate to have Giannis in their roster as their performance has drastically gone down this season, drawing all the unwanted attention despite some of the big names in the side. Warriors have gone to become one of the worst-performing teams this season after finishing as the runner-ups last season. But honestly, its Giannis’ choice as to which team he chooses to settle down his business with. And many Bucks’ fans would hope of Giannis sticking with his current team and someday, maybe in this season itself the title can be theirs if the season resumes.

Many would also agree with the opinion why Giannis’ move to GSW shouldn’t take place because it could create haphazard in both the teams in case the free agency bidding turns out in the favor of GSW. Moreover, there are other possible reasons why Giannis Antetokounmpo should not go to Golden State Warriors as listed below:

1. Playing under the shadow of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green

Ever since Giannis debuted as a rookie in the NBA, he has been a part of Milwaukee Bucks and it is completely understood that he has been a Franchise player for the Bucks. It is also a known fact that Giannis likes being “liked” and if he joins the forces with the Warriors, he may have to play under the other MVPs which he wouldn’t prefer at all. And since he has learned so many things by leading the Bucks in scoring over the years, playing under some of the leagues’ biggest names could cast a shadow on his raw yet destructive talent. Giannis has been terrific in the 2019-20 regular season, maintaining an average 29.6 PPG, 13.7 RPG, and 5.8 APG. But because of so much talent around him, he might also stop learning new things, for example, he started learning how to shoot from three-pointers with the Bucks. But with Golden State Warriors, his main role would be restricted to simply drive straight the lane, and that way he won’t be able to create his own greatness even if he sets his heart on to it.

2. Giannis joining the side could make Draymond Green Obsolete

Giannis joining the Warriors can stumble the balance in the side and make Draymond Green obsolete. Giannis does everything Green does, but better and Green is too small to play at the centre for the whole year and not quick enough to keep up with the small forwards. But there is no way Warriors are letting go of Green now or even in the coming future, instead they signed a contract extension worth $100 Million with him during the summers of 2019 for four years which he will make $22.2 million, $24 million, $25.8 million and $27.6 million during the course of his contract extension. So chances of Giannis joining seems less in the presence of Green around in the Warriors.

3. Warriors’ desperation for winning the title could spoil the current team roster

It is a known fact that too much of anything is good for nothing and that could happen in the Warriors in the coming future. Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry (injured in the majority of the regular season), and Draymond Green haven’t played a game together and new addition in the form of the Giannis would lead to either of them sitting out and that would be a waste of talent. There won’t be any change in the fortunes of the Warriors as their desperation to win the title again and acquiring him to just compete would cost them nothing but a few million going in vain. It’s better for Giannis to dig in a new way to be able to lift a title which he can do even this season.

4. Giannis’ healthy relationship with the current franchise

Owing to the recent success with the franchise, Giannis may not bailout from the side and the expectations of lifting the championship virtually seem possible due to their form in the regular season. Since Giannis becomes a free agent in the 2020-21 season, Bucks wouldn’t let him go and if he signs a five-year supermax contract extension with them next summer, he could pocket in a whopping $253 million. And in case he chooses to sign with the other franchise, the maximum contract could be of four years, making him $161.3 million. There is no way he could turn down an offer where he is making $90 Million a year!!

Rumours creating a buzz on social media would only create more hype and everyone knows that NBA trades are full of surprises. And in my opinion, Giannis should try to beat them and not join them as he is destined to be a Milwaukee Bucks’ legend down the line and hopefully this rumour about him moving to GSW doesn’t get louder than whispers.