NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors To Create Room For Giannis Antetokounmpo In 2021

KEY POINTS

Giannis Antetokounmpo will become a free agent in 2021
Toronto Raptors could save cap-space for Antetokounmpo
Raptors to bank on "appeal on international players" advantage

Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo might see himself wearing another uniform in less than two years' time as reports say he could be headed for Toronto to become a Raptor in 2021.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said in his special podcast with Zach Lowe on Sunday that the Raptors executives could be saving some space in the salary cap as they aim to sign the Greek superstar who will become a free agent in the season after next.

"I think for Toronto, they look at this season and then they look at the summer of 2021 when like a lot of teams, they want to be in the sweepstakes for Giannis Antetokounmpo," said Wojnarowski. "You're not going to see them do anything here that's going to compromise their salary cap flexibility for the following year."

The 25-year-old has become the Milwaukee Bucks’ franchise cornerstone over the last years since he was drafted in 2013 at 15^th overall. The Bucks are currently the best team in the Eastern Conference while sitting on a league-best 18-game winning streak as of posting, and pegged as one of the favorites to win the NBA title again this year.

With the flow of positive things coming the way of the Bucks, this speculation coming into reality may be too premature to be given an assurance. Besides, it is beyond doubt that the 6’11 three-time All-Star has found a home in Milwaukee - the main reason why he has remained mum on his plans for Free Agency in 2021.

Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report said, “That (Raptors signing) feels like a long shot. Antetokounmpo has embraced Milwaukee since the Bucks plucked him out of relative obscurity in the 2013 NBA draft.”

But he also mentioned that should Antetokounmpo decide to leave Wisconsin, the Raptors will have to get their full grasp on the leverage they have in order to land the prized forward: the “appeal to international players.”

“Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in North America, and the Raptors organization has made it a priority to target players from outside the United States,” Conway added. “Five players on the Raptors roster (Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher and Oshae Brissett) were born outside the United States. The Raptors' hope is that Antetokounmpo would feel comfortable enough in that environment to make Toronto a viable destination.”