Giannis Antetokounmpo would be wise to stay put in the East

Eight teams from the West won at least 48 games in the 2024-25 regular season, compared to five from the East. Six of the NBA's top-10 points leaders also emerged from the West, including the top two MVP candidates — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. 

By every imaginable metric, the West is the deeper conference, so Giannis Antetokounmpo would be wise to remain in the East. As "The Greek Freak" surveys his options ahead of his potential exit from the Bucks, he prefers to stay in the weaker conference, per reports.

"Multiple league sources tell me that if a trade were ever to materialize, Giannis Antetokounmpo would prefer to remain in the Eastern Conference," reported Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson. "The reasoning? Strategic control. Player empowerment. Recruiting power. And a desire to shape the next phase of his career on his own terms."

The report added that Antetokounmpo has the Raptors and Nets on his radar since both franchises would fulfill the criteria for his next destination: 1) staying in the East, 2) being in a position of control and 3) a big market that can attract other stars.

The Raptors and Nets certainly check off those boxes. Both can be categorized as big-market teams, and neither has a prevailing franchise star who'd command more power than Antetokounmpo. As such, the 2021 NBA Finals MVP would instantly assume complete control if afforded such a luxury. Furthermore, both teams have a lot of financial flexibility and aren't tied into unmovable, long-term contracts.

It'd be wise of Antetokounmpo to avoid the West, which promises to grow even stronger in the coming years. The youthful Thunder, Rockets and Timberwolves are ascending, the Spurs are on their way to relevancy and the Luka Doncic-led Lakers can't be ignored. 

Out East, the Celtics will likely endure a gap year in 2025-26 due to Jayson Tatum's injury, and the 76ers can't be trusted due to Joel Embiid's health. The Cavaliers were exposed as frauds in these playoffs, and Pistons are seemingly a few years away from true contention. 

It would be very smart of Antetokounmpo to remain in the East.