Former Cleveland Cavaliers player explains why Giannis Antetokounmpo is not the right player for the team.
The NBA rumor mill has been buzzing with the prospect of Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially becoming available for a trade following the Milwaukee Bucks‘ playoff exit.
Despite playing at an elite level, Antetokounmpo has barely witnessed any success since the Bucks’ 2021 NBA Championship run.
Considering Giannis is still in the prime of his career, many NBA teams are expected to line up to trade for him if he becomes available in the offseason.
Among the potential next destinations for Antetokounmpo, the Cleveland Cavaliers have also been proposed as a suitor.
A key reason behind that is the Cavs’ underwhelming outcome with their current core of players. It was evident during the Cavs’ second-round exit this postseason despite holding the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
In any trade scenario, the Cavaliers would have to give up Evan Mobley, but former teammate Georges Niang is strictly against it.
“I was over there [Cavaliers] and the way they view Evan Mobley over there, I don’t think that would be something that the Cavaliers would be interested in,” Niang said.
Upon being asked if the Cavs would stay firm on their decision to keep Mobley even for Giannis? Niang had a surprising answer.
“I think that they see Evan Mobley as someone who’s like a younger version of [him]. If he could grow into that, somewhat scratch the surface, just as good? I don’t see them making that [move].”
Niang also stated that Mobley being 23 years old is a huge reason why the Cavaliers are expected to hesitate to include him in a trade for Antetokounmpo.
But here’s the thing, Giannis was a much better player at 23 than Mobley. For context, the Greek Freak averaged 26.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game as a 23-year-old. He had also earned the second NBA All-Star appearance of his career. On the other hand, Mobley averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game this season, also earning the first NBA All-Star appearance of his career. While Mobley’s rebounding and assists numbers are somewhat similar to Giannis, the Bucks star was a much better scorer at that time. Sure, if the Cavs promote Mobley as the No. 1 option on the offense, he could put up more than 20.0 points per game. But for that to happen, the franchise will have to make another tough decision around Donovan Mitchell, who is the current top option on offense.
