Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo already feels like a pipe dream for a Memphis Grizzlies franchise whose biggest player ever acquired in a trade was Zach Randolph. While Randolph has a claim as a top-three player in the Grizzlies' franchise history, he is unlikely to make the Hall of Fame, which Giannis is destined for.
Also, a couple of factors that haven't occurred yet will need to present themselves for the Grizzlies to have a chance at presenting an offer for the two-time MVP. First, Giannis has to formally request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, followed by a list of teams that he would prefer a trade to. The Grizzlies have never been listed as a destination for stars to want to be traded to, even with Ja Morant on the roster.
Giannis is a different breed of star players as he isn't from the United States, so the big cities don't appear to appeal to him like it does for most. However, the Grizzlies face another obstacle in a potential inquiry of one of the NBA's three best players.
The Western Conference is stacked
NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that the Milwaukee Bucks management plans to pitch Giannis on remaining with the team based on the state of the Eastern Conference. The Bucks and Grizzlies had the same record this season at 48-34, but the Bucks finished with the fifth seed in the East, and the Grizzlies as the eighth seed out West.
Giannis' co-star, Damian Lillard, suffered a torn Achilles injury that will likely rule him out for the majority, if not all, of next season. However, with other top East teams with similar injury concerns like the Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum and the Philadelphia 76ers with Joel Embiid, they are hoping to sell Giannis on remaining in the lesser conference.
Most teams that are lining up to obtain Giannis, and have a good package to appeal to the Bucks, are in the deep Western Conference. The West and NBA's best, the Oklahoma City Thunder, probably has the package out of anyone with what feels like a thousand draft picks at their disposal over the next couple of seasons.
While the Grizzlies could present an intriguing package that could keep the Bucks competitive in the short term and with picks to replenish for the future, their place in the Western Conference could deter Giannis from wanting to make that move. Memphis' disadvantage continues to grow in obtaining a player of Giannis' stature, but they should still hold out hope that it might not matter.