Giannis Antetekumpo has become one of the standards of loyalty in the NBA. As the face of the Milwaukee Bucks and arguably the best player in the NBA, Giannis’ services are a prized commodity.
His rival down I-294, the Chicago Bulls are starved for a superstar. While guards Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are bonafide studs in their own right, Antetekumpo is different.
The possibility of him playing for the Bulls is slim but not zero. Antetekumpo was working with Fox 32 Chicago to promote his new ambassadorship with telehealth company Antidote Health.
Giannis on playing for the #Bulls someday tonight on The Sports Zone on Fox 32 Chicago.@fox32news @foxkickoff @LouCanellis @CassieCarlsonTV @Giannis_An34 pic.twitter.com/mgvvAXwMej
— Fox 32 Chicago Sports (@foxkickoff) August 15, 2022
Fox 32 Chicago did ask him during the course of the interview what are the chances he would suit up for the Bulls.
“I think anybody you ask that question that plays basketball, if he said no, he’d be a liar.”
Free Agency’s Past
Among the things that is alluring for the Chicago Bulls is the organization’s history and the championship standard.
“It’s a team that won multiple championships; it’s a team that one of the greatest players, if not the greatest player to ever play this game, played for. So it’s a no-brainer; everybody would love to play for Chicago.”
Under the new regime, the possibility of bringing in free agents is more of a reality as opposed to in the past. The Bulls’ most recent moves have been via trade ala DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. Lonzo Ball was technically a free agent but was acquired via a sign and trade.
The last major signing the Bulls made that was impactful was Carlos Boozer back in 2010. Sprinkle in some Rajon Rondo and Dwayne Wade over the past decade and the Bulls have themselves a spotty free agent past.
Whether free agents wanted to sign with the Bulls was a legitimate question with the previous regime. Granted Antetekumpo isn’t a free agent for another four years. He’s currently in the second year of his five-year $228 million deal.
Making money isn’t an issue for NBA players in certain markets anymore. The Antidote Health deal made Antetekumpo $1 million. In Milwaukee of all places, Antetekumpo has no problem making money.
Bulls Killer Giannis
Antetekumpo has had no shortage of success versus the Chicago Bulls. In their most recent matchup in the playoffs last season, the Greek Freak averaged 28.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.
The Bulls have not had success with Giannis on the Bucks roster. Since 2017, the Bulls have only beaten the Bucks once. That victory came in game two in last season’s playoff series.
Whether or not Giannis ever suits up for the Bulls is still the stuff of dreams and his commitment remains with his current team.
“Down the line, you never know. You never know how life brings it, maybe I play for Chicago, But right now I’m committed to Milwaukee.”
For now, the Bulls will simply have to stand pat while the Bucks run roughshod through the Easter conference for the next four years. Much like the Eastern conference dealt with during the Jordan dynasty, Giannis will not be slowing down anytime soon.
