Giannis Antetokounmpo is the biggest name of this NBA summer, but the list of clubs that won't go after him is as telling as the one with the interested ones. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, as many as five strong teams are pulling out in advance.

Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets - all reportedly won't enter the race for the two-time MVP. These are not small teams; they are precisely the teams that could theoretically afford such a move. When title contenders turn down a superstar, the question is not „why Giannis," but „at what price."

And the price is clear. Antetokounmpo, at 31 years old, has a contract worth 58.5 million dollars for next season. He also has the option to become a free agent in the summer of 2027 if he declines the 62.8 million dollar player option - which gives him serious power to decide where he will play. Nobody wants to give up half a team for a player who can walk away on his own in a year.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the most aggressive in the chase right now are the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers. Fischer goes further: „Miami Heat is the team I single out for Giannis Antetokounmpo."

It is still rumour season, and rumours on the market are cheaper than transfers. The Balkan basketball fan has known this for a long time: until it is signed, nothing is signed. But when so many teams pull out to the side in advance, it usually means someone already knows where the story is heading.