Masai Ujiri’s pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo is well chronicled. And it appears as though he hasn’t given up on the chase.
According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, the Toronto Raptors will likely be one of the main suitors for the NBA’s 2019 MVP should he elect to test free agency in the summer of 2021.
It wouldn’t be the first time Ujiri tried to bring Antetokounmpo to Toronto. Back in 2013, the Raptors’ president of basketball operations tried desperately to trade into the first round of the draft so he could select the raw but hyper-athletic teenager.
Ujiri and Antetokounmpo also share a connection off the court, as the Raptors executive helped Antetokounmpo’s family emigrate from Nigeria to Greece.
Hollinger added that the defending world champion Raptors are in wait-and-see mode, and want to test their mettle post-Kawhi Leonard, but won’t make any moves that could jeopardize the possibility of having max cap space for the 2021 off-season.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 24.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 9.0 assists on 52.8 shooting from the field in three games for the Milwaukee Bucks this season.
The 24-year-old signed a four-year, $100-million contract extension in the fall of 2016.
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