REPORTS: 2-Time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo wanted the Bucks to Target Bogdan Bogdanovic and Bradley Beal

The Milwaukee Bucks took a sigh of relief yesterday when their talisman Giannis Antetokounmpo signing a 5-year long-term contract. With the moves that they had made, it was uncertain whether the 2-time MVP would sign the extension or not.

The Bucks had initially brought in Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic. But a series of unfortunate events led to Bogdanovic’s sign in trade canceled by the NBA and he signed a 4-year deal with the Hawks instead.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Kevin Arnovitz, Giannis was interested to bring in Bogdan Bogdanovic and Bradley Beal.

Windhorst writes, “One of the players Antetokounmpo emphasized, sources said, was a restricted-free-agent-to-be from the Sacramento Kings, Bogdan Bogdanovic.”

“Antetokounmpo had respected Bogdanovic’s game dating back to 2014 when the Serbian guard nailed four 3-pointers and scored 21 points to beat Antetokounmpo and Greece in the World Cup quarterfinals in Madrid.”

“Last year, Antetokounmpo again witnessed Bogdanovic’s ruthlessness in a friendly match in Athens, in which he stole the show from the national hero returning for a rare game in his home country by scoring 28 and hitting five 3-pointers. Bogdanovic displayed the kind of fearlessness Antetokounmpo wanted to play alongside.”

“In addition to Bogdanovic, he cited Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal as a desirable target for the Bucks. Without impugning specific teammates, Antetokounmpo was implicitly suggesting what just about everyone in the organization — and the NBA — knew: The Bucks needed to upgrade their backcourt.”

What now for Giannis Antetokounmpo & the Bucks?

The Bucks lacked a quality point guard in the team. Eric Bledsoe was a great servant for the side but with his underwhelming displays in the 2018, 2109 and the 2020 playoffs, the Bucks knew that they had to find a better point guard.

Bogdanovic or Beal could have given the side more offensive boost. Although they missed out on both of them, they signed Jrue Holiday. Holiday will give more boost defensively and can add 20 points regularly for them.

Holiday is one of the best defenders in the NBA right now and can also add points to the board. He averaged 19.1 points, 6.7 assists and 4.8 assists. He is big upgrade in the place of Eric Bledsoe.

The 2013 All-Star has also showed his prowess in the playoffs. In the 2017-18 playoffs, Holiday was the second best player in the Pelicans team averaging 23.7 points, 6.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds each game.

With their star man signing the extension, the front-office will hope that Holiday can be effective than Bledsoe. They will hope that this season they at least reach the Conference finals.

These 5 years of Giannis‘ contract is the championship window for the Bucks. If they can add the right pieces around their star, they can surely be a championship favorite sooner or later.