Giannis Antetokounmpo made an effort to recruit Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Milwaukee Bucks before he ultimately wound up with the Atlanta Hawks on a four-year, $72 million deal. As it turns out, Giannis was intent on bringing the 28-year-old shooting guard to Milwaukee, with Bogdanovic reportedly emerging as Antetokounmpo's preferred offseason addition for his team.
Aside from the botched Bogdanovic move, the Bucks actually found success in the trade market, as they brought in Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, however, this wasn't Giannis' first choice:
Adding Holiday was an obvious upgrade, but Bogdanovic was communicated as Antetokoumpo's preferred addition all offseason. The Antetokounmpo brothers had tried to lure him with the promise of forming a big three with Giannis and Khris Middleton. Holiday was an added bonus.
The report further detailed how both Giannis and brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo were trying to recruit Bogdanovic long before the offseason kicked in:
For months, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo's brother and a Milwaukee Bucks guard, stayed in regular contact with Bogdan Bogdanovic. They spoke numerous times over the phone, sources said, with Thanasis hoping to eventually court the guard's services this offseason. During a few calls, Giannis communicated his desire in teaming with Bogdanovic.
The Bucks and Kings had originally agreed on a sign-and-trade deal to bring Bogdanovic to Milwaukee, but that fell apart and an investigation was launched into possible tampering.
It remains to be seen what type of effect — if any — this will have on Giannis and his relationship with the Bucks. Apparently, he had already made it abundantly clear that he wanted Bogdanovic in Milwaukee, and the fact that the team failed to deliver might not sit well with the reigning back-to-back MVP.
The Bucks star has until Dec. 21 to sign a supermax extension.
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