ESPN expert says Giannis Antetokounmpo's free agency situation may be affecting Damian Lillard's trade saga

Here are the details from an ESPN expert on why Giannis Antetokounmpo’s free agency situation could be impacting Damian Lillard’s trade saga.

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NBA superstar Damian Lillard has made it no secret how much he wants out of Portland and move to Miami to join the Heat. However, there has been little traction on that front ever since Lillard expressed his desire to be traded back in February. Now, ESPN analyst Zach Lowe believes that the ongoing free agency saga of Giannis Antetokounmpo may be having a ripple effect on Lillard's plans.

Put the Bucks on notice

Although Giannis is under contract until 2025, he has already put the franchise on edge, saying he would consider moving elsewhere if he doesn’t see a renewed commitment to sustained success. Antetokounmpo is clearly over winning the 2021 NBA title and is keen on adding a few more before his career ends.

"At the end of the day, I am a winner. I want to be a winner. Contracts, fame, status, comfort zone does not matter to me. What matters at the end of the day is that thing right there (pointing to the NBA championship trophy). That's what matters,” Giannis said during the “48 Minutes” podcast.

Other teams preparing to join the Giannis sweepstakes

Lowe implied that Giannis’ comments regarding his potential availability on the market may have given pause to some teams who had been aiming to snag Lillard. While Dame is a bona fide superstar and an elite shotmaker, he hasn’t been able to impact winning like Giannis.

“By the way, hovering over all of this is Giannis' comments last week reiterating, you know, 'If I don't sense the Bucks are all-in on winning, I'm not gonna end my career here necessarily.'"

"I think other teams have at least started to have—some of these other teams with assets have at least started to have the conversation of—wait a second if we think we have any chance of being in the ballgame—if that actually comes to pass—and there is no guarantee, Bucks fans, that it comes to pass at all. It could end up beautifully for Milwaukee, they could win the title, he could stay, whatever, do we need to keep our powder dry?” Lowe said.