Wizards’ Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit is nothing more than a pipe dream

The Washington Wizards have officially been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo by a credible source, and it's about time.

According to ESPN Insider Marc J. Spears, the Wizards are expected to at least explore their options regarding a blockbuster swing for Giannis this offseason.

Given their situation, the young talent on their roster, abundance of draft capital, and the recent aggresiveness from general manager Will Dawkins, it doesn't come as a total surprise to hear the team's interest.

In fact, a blockbuster trade idea that could force Washington's hand to forfeit their No. 1 overall pick to land Antetokounmpo has already been brainstormed.

Still, as much as I hate to pour cold water on the situation, any scenario in which the Wizards land the Greek Freak is nothing more than a pipedream.

Giannis Antetokounmpo wouldn't sign off on a trade to Washington

Even if the Wizards offered the Milwaukee Bucks a deal they couldn't refuse, all indications have suggested that the team will look to do right by Giannis.

Antetokounmpo's preferred landing spots have been revealed, with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics headlining his short list, and even with his desire to stay in the Eastern Conference, it feels like the Wizards' landing on that list is a long shot.

It's hard to imagine the two-time MVP would sign off on a trade to join the Wizards, especially if there's reciprocated interest from Miami and Boston.

Obviously, Milwaukee could have a change of heart and simply take the best package presented to them, but who's to say Washington can present that?

There's no telling if the Bucks want to rebuild or retool, and until that's made clear, it's hard to gauge just how serious a suitor the Wizards are.

At the same time, it doesn't make much sense for Washington to surrender several key pieces of their future for an aging star who could want out when his deal expires.

There's also the possibility that leaking the Wizards as an interested suitor is just another effort to drive up the price from Milwaukee.

Wizards could be getting used as leverage

Washington very well could be interested, even if their interest was preliminary.

However, Spears' random leak of the Wizards' interest feels like it could just be a tool for the Bucks to drive up the asking price on Antetokounmpo, given Washington owns the No. 1 overall pick.

There's no saying the Wizards would even offer that pick in trade discussions, but given the fact that most teams would assume the Bucks would ask Washington for the top pick, knowing they're interested could make it clear that Milwaukee has better options.

All that to say, Washington could simply be getting used as a leverage point.

Even if they're not, the chances of the Antetokoumpo saga ending in the DMV feels slim to none.

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