How the Blazers could influence the Giannis trade, with the Michael Bridges flip

The February 5th trade deadline is fast approaching, a rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are at an all-time high. The latest buzz points to Portland Trail Blazers could be involved, but speculation also includes the New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges.

No, the rumors don’t suggest the Blazers are trying to trade for the Bucks star. Instead, with the club owning Milwaukee’s 2028, 2029 and 2030 draft picks, Portland appears to be aiming to get into the mix on some sort of multi-team trade if the Bucks decide to deal the 31-year-old forward, according to NBA insider Jake Fisher.

“Portland is definitely the team to watch here when it comes to Antetokounmpo’s eventual outcome. No one is suggesting that a trade to the Trail Blazers is a scenario that Giannis Camp would pursue, but Portland still controls Milwaukee’s draft capital in 2028, 2029 and 2030, thanks to the teams’ Yard-for-Druian, who told Holiday-for-Druell. Blazers officials have always been eyeing a potential departure Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee as a chance to improve their own roster by jumping into a multi-team deal.

Fisher follows that statement with the possibility of the Trail Blazers being the third team in a trade that could send Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Knicks. If that were the case, Portland would likely be interested in Bridges. Fisher also claims Portland has had its eye on 29-year-old Mychal Bridges for a long time.

“So there’s an absolutely slim world where the Blazers could try to get into, say, Milwaukee-New York talks if Giannis-to-the-Knicks ever materializes. Also note this: League sources say Portland has long admired New York running back Mikal Bridges in Lillard’s first stint as a Blazer.”

However it plays out, Fisher says he was informed by his sources that Portland was being considered as a possible buyer before the trade deadline. The league seems to believe the Blazers could try to improve the roster to make a serious push into the playoffs.

If Bridges is the target, then The Blazers would aim to acquire a talented striker who can play on the wing or in the post. He is a solid defender who can also score when needed. Through 45 games played so far this season, Bridges is averaging 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 38.9% from the field.