NBA Rumors: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nuggets, Lakers, Dalton Knecht

One opposing scout told Hoops Wire that he believes “there’s probably zero chance” that Antetokounmpo requests a trade, despite Milwaukee’s first-round playoff exit.

“I don’t see it happening because that’s just not how he’s wired,” the scout said. “I’d be shocked if he requests (a trade). I think that possibility could exist after next season, but not this one.”

Still, multiple NBA agents do seem to think an Antetokounmpo trade request is on the way.

“Several agents polled at the recent NBA combine in Chicago believe the former NBA MVP will direct the Bucks to send him to his preferred location, whatever that might be,” wrote Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. “The closer he gets to the end of his contract, the greater his power to dissuade other suitors.”

• As an aside, one opposing GM told Hoops Wire that he reached out to the Bucks about Antetokounmpo and “they basically hung up.”

Nuggets

Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke told reporters that the team intends to explore all avenues to surround star Nikola Jokic with more talent and get back to true championship contention.

“There’s an urgency to improve the team and the organization everywhere, whether that’s via trade, via draft,” Kroenke said, per Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. “Right now, I think that having a cohesive organization from coaching staff to front office is our main goal.”

After losing to the Thunder in the West semifinals, Jokic suggested the Nuggets needed to get deeper.

“I heard Jokic’s comments loud and clear,” Korenke said. “I mean, I think that I was thinking that before those words came out of his mouth. Just in how the playoffs, if you’re watching the games, you can see yourself, as well as watching our games, you can see where we leaned on a lot of guys for a lot of minutes in big-time moments. And that has a cumulative effect that when you play in a seven-game series. That can wear you down.”

Lakers

• Along with potentially dangling Austin Reaves in search of a starting-caliber center, the Lakers might again try to use rookie Dalton Knecht as a trade chip, per Pincus. Knecht, of course, was traded to the Hornets but sent back after center Mark Williams failed a physical.
• At any rate, one scout told Hoops Wire that Knecht’s value has “taken a bit of a decline” since he was moved in that failed February deal with Charlotte.
• The scout added that he hears the Nuggets, Pelicans and Jazz are “known teams” with at least passing interest in Knecht. But do any have a big man that the Lakers seek? Probably not.