One contender has already shut the door on Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Cleveland Cavaliers flamed out of the playoffs, once again raising doubts about their ability to win with this core. Rumors of a re-ignited interest in trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo flooded social media almost right away.

The Cavs infamously backed down from a potential trade for Giannis because they didn't want to include Evan Mobley in the deal.

However, despite more evidence that this core may not be strong enough to push through, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report claims they still feel the same way.

The Cavaliers don't want to trade Evan Mobley for Giannis Antetokounmpo

“I believe Cleveland does not have any real appetite or interest in that type of deal because Evan Mobley is really their only bridge to a future beyond Donovan Mitchell who’s coming up on 30 years old. He’s already a major contributor to this group. A Defensive Player of the Year. A perennial All-Star candidate. I just don’t really see that happening,” Fischer wrote. 

Mobley is a very good player and a former Defensive Player of the Year. However, his numbers and game are virtually identical to what he showed as a rookie five years ago.

Antetokounmpo, on the other hand, is undeniably one of the best two-way players of all time, and he'd provide Kenny Atkinson's team with the competitive punch and mental fortitude of a champion.

The Cavs are great in the regular season, but their core players have well-documented postseason shortcomings.

There are levels to everything, and holding on to a "perennial All-Star candidate" instead of going after a former MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and franchise-caliber player might just be organizational malpractice.