Giannis ‘closely observing’ Bucks, Austin Reaves declines extension | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST

Giannis ‘closely observing’ Bucks, Austin Reaves declines extension | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST

Brou out here trying to
get the scoop on Giannis where we’re starting right now. I’m working. I will be working. There you go. It’s also just when
Hubs gets that invoice. Like what bro. I’m going to be writing stuff
off job saying Giannis is quote closely observing how the
Bucs are moving in the draft and free agency. Well, here’s how it’s going. No first round pick. Pick 47. They took Serbia’s bogoljub. No bogoljub Markovic. And he’s from Serbia. Yeah, it checks out. I want to call him
BOGO Markovic Sure And they also signed Mark Sears,
who went undrafted from Bama. Meanwhile, Giannis on Instagram
writing, quote, confidence is silent looking ripped. Good lighting on that photo. Wow, that’s a great photo. Was that a filter you think. Probably a filter. Yeah, that’s a filter. All right what’s
next for Giannis. Well he wants to
give the Bucs a shot. Giannis is a great guy. I don’t know him personally,
but he seems like a great guy, right. And he wants to give
the Bucs a chance. He doesn’t want
to be the bad guy and come out and demand a trade. But all that he and
the Bucs are doing is postponing the inevitable. And I’m not saying like,
if he wants to stay, fine, but you need to leave. You should be winning
championships. All right. And that’s what
Giannis wants to do. It’s Danny. What in the world. What is there to observe. You just named the
draft picks right. And the the bow bow bow goes
you just I don’t know his game, but reading about him
seems like maybe he’s got some similarities to a
Brook Lopez can shoot it, can post up things like that. That would be great. But I doubt he’s going
to be Brook Lopez. All right. And then the kid
they just signed a kid that wasn’t drafted. They don’t have much cap
room to go out there and make a splash in free agency. They could lose Lopez Bobby
Portis you know Porter jr. Like Damian Lillard’s hurt. There’s nothing they would have
to pull a basketball miracle to get a special player
in there to really give them a chance at competing
at a high level next year. I don’t see it coming. So that’s why I’m like, look,
just rip off the Band-Aid and Giannis should say
I’m ready to move on. And I look I was saying I’m
going to name a few things and you’re going to like it. I see you sitting there
with the frown on your face. You’re going to like it. I don’t like it already. Now Houston didn’t use
up all their assets. Houston Danny could offer. Milwaukee Sengun, Reid. Sheppard, Tori Eason
and Cam Whitmore. Yeah And picks. They got a bunch of picks. That’s not. That’s one definite
star in Sengun. Another potential
one in in Shepard. Sheppard and in some
good role players. And Cam Whitmore is talented
and you get a bunch of picks. And now that would give
Houston a starting five of VanVleet, Amen
Thompson, CeeDee, Giannis and Jabari Smith. That would work
with Steven Adams. That would you think. I mean, that’s a great team. I would pick them to
win the championship. And then San Antonio
take your pick. De’Aaron Fox Dylan Harper. You know Stephon Castle. Which point guard do you want. We got some picks some
other young players. But I think Houston
still even after getting Durant has the best offer. And I’m just saying like it’s
just unless he wants to stay there and be loyal
and not really win any more championships,
which I would respect. I’m not mad at him. I’m just saying if you really
want to win more rings, if you want to up your
ranking historically, then you need to go
elsewhere and get with a team that can win. I feel like people
keep projecting how they feel on how they
feel like Giannis should feel. Giannis reveres Kobe Bryant. That was his idol. That was his guy. Kobe played in one team in
one organization for forever and Giannis not only has
never requested a trade, he has signed not one, not
two, but three contract extensions in Milwaukee. And he doesn’t sign one
in one’s three year deals. Four year deals. He keeps signing them. You you know you use the wrong
comparison because Kobe Kobe because Kobe would ask out
Kobe was ready to leave La unless you improved the team. He was almost a bull,
I understand that, but the Bucs have also
done right by Giannis. They gave up stuff to get Drew. They gave up stuff to
get Damian Lillard. They changed coaches. There was a time when the NBA
bought the arena from Milwaukee because the Bucks, if
they didn’t get financing, were going to leave Milwaukee. Giannis was a rookie then. Giannis starts becoming Giannis. They get the the financing. They build the new building. The owner says this building
this practice facility is a testament to Giannis and
our commitment to build a championship around him. I think the National media
completely underestimates how much Milwaukee
means to Giannis and how much Giannis
means to Milwaukee. Other than Steph Curry. Other than Steph Curry to
the Warriors, no player means more to their
City and organization than Giannis Antetokounmpo
does to the Milwaukee Bucks. And by the way, who’s the best
player in the East next year. Well him and who’s the second. And how big of a gap is
there between Giannis and the second best player
with Tatum’s injury. With Haliburton’s
injury, how big of a gap was there between
Giannis and the best player on the Pacers this year. Well but OK. But they also with
Dame just getting hurt right at the
beginning won’t even be there at all next year. You listen, I tend
to agree with you, but you said the only way
that he can add to his legacy is another championship. What if this upcoming
year, Giannis, who for the three years in a
row now has been 30 and 11. And now the last two
years 6 and 1/2 assists. What if this year it’s
3011 and 08 or 09 assists because the ball is in his hand
more and he pushes them to the 5 seed in the Middle East. That’s Russell Westbrook. When Westbrook averaged
a triple double and was the sixth seed in
the West and got his MVP. Giannis could be the 10th guy
ever to win three MVPs or more. Oh that’s fine. But but what about
are you giving. Because I thought you were
going to say what if he leads them to the Finals next year. I don’t think he’s not. I don’t think he will either. But again, he already
has won a title. You are saying he
needs multiple titles to be secure in his legacy
or to add to his legacy. He doesn’t seem
to feel that way. Well, and he does
want his legacy to be as high as possible. If LeBron because Milwaukee
and Giannis is bond is great. I agree with you. It’s not greater than LeBron’s. And Cleveland’s was
his first stint there. And he left. And as great as LeBron James is
if he has stayed in Cleveland and ended up with
one championship, he would not be in the GOAT
debate as the same player. But he wouldn’t be
in the GOAT debate, though there’s no way
actually if he I mean, I’m not saying he’s
going to be in there, but if he won more
championships or he could get in the top 10 conversation. Yeah I think that Giannis
yeah listen I love Giannis. He’s my favorite player
in the NBA today. I just don’t think
that it is a guarantee. Everyone is saving assets
for him I agree with you. I think that’s why
Miami didn’t make a more aggressive offer for KD. The Spurs didn’t push all
their chips in the Knicks. I think all these teams are
hoping that Giannis asks out and I think they’re going
to be waiting a while. And I think he is going
to run it out there at the beginning of the year. I agree with that. He’s not getting traded
in the next week. He said you Sunday is
a big day in the NBA. That’s not happening. No, I agree with you. He will start the season in
Milwaukee and see where it’s at. See where Dame’s
at in his recovery. See if Gary Trent takes a leap I
I know I like Gary Trent a lot. So so what kind of
leap is he going. I mean like a leap to get to
the Conference Finals again. Probably not. But can. What are you competitive. So do you want him to stay Yes,
I want him to stay because I don’t want him to think. I think we’re different now. There used to be the. Oh, like you even talked about
Kobe staying with the Lakers. Duncan Steph it’s not
I. Yeah that’s nice. It’s fine. But it’s not
frowned upon anymore to go to another franchise. Bro, can I ask you a question. Do you think Giannis has been
in Milwaukee for 12 years. Dame was in Portland
for 11 years. There was the same loud
drumbeat of dames got to leave. Dames got to play in more
important basketball games. He leaves. It hasn’t worked out. He talked about
like, personally, it was challenging
for him in Milwaukee. Do you think Giannis
takes that into account where like man they just did
the same thing to this guy. He’s not his best self here. Now he’s hurt which is you
know that’s randomized. But I think if Dame Lillard
could get into a time machine like you know what
maybe I’d be better off having Reggie Miller’s career. I agree. And being like a
hero in Portland rather than trying
to Chase something and being unhappy I agree. Damian Lillard as great
as he is, obviously a first ballot Hall of Famer. Not on the level of Giannis. Yeah Damian Lillard not
a guy that would ever get in the top 10 conversation. Like his legacy is not
going to be what Giannis was I give you another go. Giannis should look at
Kevin Garnett Kevin Garnett. It’s similar again,
the relationship he had with Minnesota. He wanted to stay in Minnesota. He could. He had the chance to play
with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce and wanted to stay in Minnesota. Finally concedes has lets
the trade go through wins this championship. Obviously in Boston. And then said later, man, I
should have done this earlier. Like he’s now known as a Celtic. I agree. And this has the
title but that’s fine. I’m not. He’s got the monkey off his back
if he wants to play the rest of his career, going out in
the first or second round, then he’s like you
said, he’s got his ring. But if he wants to
really challenge, you have a legacy
that goes beyond that and maybe you’re in the
top 10 conversation, maybe higher win championships
or even just wanting to play in big games. That’s why I think it’s at. Just playing in the
Conference Finals. Legacy and more
like I want to be playing deep into
meaningful basketball games. I also think he
thinks that they have not been as far away as their
playoff results have suggested. This is Middleton
hurt in the playoffs. Dame hurt in the first
round of playoffs. Giannis in the
first round series against the heat a
couple of years ago, which was a huge upset. Giannis falls in game 1 on his
back and is hurt like he thinks. The last few years they
should have gone much further and it was the wrong injury to
the wrong guy at the wrong time. So I don’t think he thinks the
injuries have played a factor. There’s no question about that. Moving on to the Lakers. Austin Reaves turned
down the Lakers four year, $89 million extension. He’s going to test free
agency next summer. Not a huge surprise. He’s gotten better every year. Gone from a 7 point
scorer to averaging 20 while starting 73 games. What should the Lakers
do with Austin Reaves. Well, look, we all
know they need a big I would just listen to offers. See what I can get for him. I don’t think they’re
going to be able to get a ton because excuse me, because
he’s got a year left on his deal and no, a team could end up
giving up assets for him. And then he leaves
you after a year. So I would explore it and see. But I don’t think
they’re going to get like a great offer that’s going
to knock them off their feet. And I’ll say this about Reaves
because we’ve seen LeBron in big 3’s. And usually that third
guy kind of becomes like a glorified role player. Chris Bosh Kevin Love
Austin was able to excel with Luka and LeBron. So they had a
legitimate big three. I’m not trying to escalate
you know Austin Reaves ability but he would average. His numbers are
20 points and 5 4 and 1/2 assists
on great shooting 48% shooting 41% from 3. With Luka and LeBron everybody
can’t play off of them. So he does play well off them. So that’s something the
Lakers need to consider. I think ultimately Danny,
they would love to keep him and I think they will keep him. They got yeah. And I think that it’ll
end up being that way. But here’s here’s the thing. Do you want to give him. I don’t know what it would
be a 45, $50 million a year. And then in this age, with
the aprons and all that, I don’t know that you can unless
LeBron were going to retire. And then do you want
him as your number two guy on what you’re trying
to build a championship team. So it’s a tough situation. That’s where I think this is
going though, because exactly what you said if if you’re
another team trading for one year of Austin Reaves and
he then just gets to be an unrestricted free agent
and you don’t have any built in ability to pay him
more than the market, you’re probably not
going to keep him and then you’re not going to
give up that much to do it. The Lakers can add a big like
they tried to get Mark Williams and then they failed
him on his physical. Dalton Knecht. They still have a first
round pick in the future. They’ve got some
expiring contracts. You’re just not going to
get anyone that great. But Austin Reaves
had an awesome year. Yeah he had and he was career
highs across the board. Like for an undrafted
player to have the year that he had playing
with the weirdness of Luka coming in. Yeah, he’s good and he’s 27
and his timeline matches up with Luka like
they got Luka to be the face of the franchise going
forward in a post LeBron world. And to Brou’s
point, how he proved he could play with
everybody turning down. This extension was so easy for
Austin Reaves because the caps going up 10% every year. And as you said, $40 million. I’m just going to throw
some names out there and we could put them
up on the screen. Michael Porter jr. Bradley Beal
Zach LaVine would you agree. Defensive liabilities who
can shoot the ball and score. Look at what those
guys get paid. Flawed players because those
are two of like contracts that people hate I know
but but my point is is that they also signed
these deals 2, 3, 4 years ago. Austin Reaves is going to get. Oh, he’ll get yeah. He’s going to get $200
plus million dollars. Do you love him at that number. No, but I think we all need
to recalibrate, is my point. What, like overpaying a
guy is like these guys. Yes, I agree with you. Those contracts have
not aged very well, but it’s also just the price. It’s just the. It’s the cost of doing business. When players get 50% of the
revenue, and the revenue is what it is. So Austin Reaves,
they’re going to sign him to a massive contract and it
will feel like a gross overpay. But what if LeBron plays
another year I think then you’ve got three guys that
essentially Max money. But so he’s opting in now
reportedly to the 52.5 million. I think it is right. I would think that if LeBron
is playing beyond that, we’re talking about him doing
whatever the NBA version of the Aaron Rodgers thing is
that we’re seeing right now, I do not think it
will be for the. I don’t think it will be for
the top of the market deal, I don’t know. I’m not sure I don’t
know about that at 40. He could have done
that many times. He could do know. But there was reports that
he was willing to do it. But then the then the guy
the guy who he was happy, but not for $10 or $12 million
or whatever the equivalent would be for Roger, I think. But LeBron James for $30 million
would be a tremendous bargain in this new world order of
the NBA, like the Lakers, I think are going to build
around Luka and Austin Reaves in this post. LeBron world. So if that’s the case, let me
can we flesh that out a little. Because we saw Dallas get to
the finals with Luka Kyrie and then a bunch of
really good role players that fit and defenders. So right. So are you proposing if
it’s Luka Austin Reaves. And let’s even just say they
could get the right role players a Gafford type and shooters. And you know men that can
finish at the rim like players like Dallas got I don’t know
that as much as I like Austin. He’s obviously not Kyrie Irving. And I don’t think that team
is getting to the Western to the championship
through the West. I don’t either, but
two years from now, it’s hard to project out. Like what if New and improved
20 pounds down in condition Luka is going to turn into
Alex Caruso on defense. I’m worried to turn
into Alex Caruso. I’m just worried
about having a bunch of defensive liabilities and. And both of them are Reeves
and and no rim protector. But I don’t think he
can be the number two guy on your
championship team again. I don’t as currently
constructed. I agree with both
of you, but I don’t think they’re prepared to lose
Austin Reaves for nothing. And this year, you’re going to
get $0.30 on the dollar for him because of the expiring deal. And you’re going to
get worse with LeBron in his last year or
two, and then you’re going to lose him
for nothing next year like they’re going to pay him. But they might not like it. But I think they’re paying him. Is there a chance to go
all in in and LeBron’s you know if this is
not I don’t think this is last year this year next
year who knows how long it goes. But carpe diem with the
Lakers right I don’t think we should start planning the
Luka Austin Reaves parade. If there’s a chance
to get a Luka and LeBron championship banner
in Crypto.com Arena I mean. And that would make Reed’s
expendable to me at some point. There has to be some decline
in LeBron, I would think. I mean, I don’t know. That seems logical. At some point he won’t be a
top 10 player in the world more than we see a defensive. Yeah, we see it defensively
but I look I agree with you. I just don’t think the future
is Luka and Austin are our big 2 and then we build around I
don’t think that’s winning you a championship. Quickly we got to head
to Toronto news breaking this morning that longtime
Raptors president and Vice Chairman Masai Ujiri is out. Executive of the year 2013
manufactured the Kawhi trade that brought a championship
to Toronto in 2019 also just welcomed Colin
Murray Boyles I won’t be here. But I don’t know the
backstory of this if it’s a mutual decision. He only had one year
left on his deal. Maybe he wanted a long
term, lucrative extension. They weren’t
willing to go there. He is by far been
their best executive. They hadn’t won 50 games
before he got there. In the season. He won 50 games
several times, got to two conference championships
or Championship Series. Obviously won the
championship with Kawhi. And that was a bold move
that a lot of people wouldn’t have done. It was a one year trial run
with Kawhi, like knowing there’s a good chance he
leaves after this year and they go ahead and win the
championship, the only one in franchise history. So I think Messi
is obviously highly respected around the league. He will be able to get a good
job if I’m the Lakers and look, Rob Pelinka has done
a good job there. Obviously getting Luka, I
mean, I don’t know how much or how hard it was
for him, but he got Luka and Reaves undrafted. Right right. But if you’re the Lakers or a
Charlotte or any of these teams that need a structure and
winning culture built, he’s a guy that you need to
be looking at to your point. They had, I think, one playoff
series win in the history of the franchise. And they had had good
players right before he got there, Vince, Tracy McGrady. And then they’ve won nine
playoff series and the ring since he got there in 2013. So clearly an
accomplished executive who’s the best executive in
the history of the franchise and no longer seen as guys are
going to force their way out of Toronto, like change
the culture really helped captivate basketball fans. We, the North, all of that stuff
stink on Breakfast, ball will say, like, you
think that there’s ego in the locker
room of players here about the ego of
coaches and executives. Masai Ujiri is a guy who
really loves you, said he’s respected around the league. He also has a very high
opinion of himself. That that is the not
knock but his reputation. Guys don’t like him is big ego. And so I could definitely see
like look at what I’ve done. Give me the 10
year lifetime deal. And I’m not reporting that
that is what the Ask was. But he is going to want full
control, powerful organization and to call all of the shots. And because of his track
record, someone is going to give it to him 30 and 52 last year. Well, the last few
years has not been good. It feels I mean, does it
feel like the Raptors have a solid plan. Like I knew what OKC was doing. Like we are stockpiling
draft picks right. Draft capital as much as we can. And we hope to lock
into a superstar. Which SGA was Scotty. Is there one Rookie of the Year
that works but I don’t know if yeah there far away there. Even when we look at the East
and how open it is next year, they’re not one of those teams. No one talks about them. It’s like, oh, there’s a path. No, it’s kind of
I do like I still refuse to give up on Brandon
Engram for the record. Well he loves to hear that
I’m a Brandon Ingram guy, famously, believe it or not.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is “closely observing” the Milwaukee Bucks’ draft and free agency choices this offseason. Chris Broussard, Kevin Wildes, and Danny Parkins discuss what his future should be, and they ask if Austin Reaves should have declined the 4-year, $89.2 million extension the Los Angeles Lakers offered him.

#FirstThingsFirst #NBA #AustinReaves

Download the FOX Sports App: https://tinyurl.com/y4uouolb

► Breakfast Ball’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastBallonFS1
► First Things First’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstThingsFirst
► SPEAK’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SpeakOnFS1
► The Facility’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFacilityonFS1
► All Facts No Brakes with Keyshawn Johnson YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AllFactsPod

About First Things First:
Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes team up on First Things First. The trio offers their take on a bevy of sports stories alongside special guests from across the sports world.

Giannis ‘closely observing’ Bucks, Austin Reaves declines extension | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST
www.youtube.com/@FirstThingsFirst