Following the recent spike in trade speculation on Giannis Antetokounmpo at the deadline, there were questions that would keep the LA Clippers' eyes from closing at night. There is a long list that begins with a debate over whether the Clippers have enough trade-wise, and whether Los Angeles is a city where Antetokounmpo can see a home.
However, ‘The Stein Line’ revealed that no team has been singled out, ahead of everyone else, for the coveted two-time MVP and former champion.
Who is celebrating this report? Frank and the Clippers. There was a moment of worry, for a split second that crossed every fan's mind, LA would fall ridiculously short of assets and draft capital, yet turns out they are in the same boat as everyone else: not in first place.
Thus, good news could lead to more, as the Clippers have a chance at capitalization after hearing an optimistic update on Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Clippers must be as desperate for Giannis Antetokounmpo as everyone else
Based on the latest from ‘The Stein Line,’ the Giannis Antetokounmpo hype meter raised by each fanbase, encouraging jersey swaps and trade-machine packages, is just speculation and an attempt to speak dreams into existence.
Fans of the LA Clippers have done the same, but what they actually want to see is Lawrence Frank act motivated and aggressive in pursuit of a generational power forward on the market.
The Clippers do not just need to heavily pursue Antetokounmpo, but they need to be obsessed with the idea of landing him, as he has the power to materialize the greatest story in sports history of turning a 6-21 start into a championship parade.
While this may be top-tier motivation for Frank, you know who will be just as hungry for talks to gain traction on Antetokounmpo? The Warriors, who just tragically lost Jimmy Butler for the rest of the season, and franchises like the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks.
There is no doubt the Bucks’ front office will have a buffet to live off for years from each of these teams in terms of picking and choosing what they want in a trade, and in the same sense, the Clippers must express to Milwaukee that they are willing to not walk or jog, but sprint the extra mile to finalize a trade.
That said, Frank can eliminate every second guess on the Clippers’ rivals in the mix for Antetokounmpo and focus on his race. Belief in his abilities as an executive matters significantly, and clarity that LA is still on eye level with its competition is a massive mental boost.