The latest trade rumor means the 76ers are disqualified from the race for Giannis

No one is really counting on the Philadelphia 76ers to be a major player in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade game, but in reality, they are one of the few teams that can make varied offers to the Bucks. That glimmer of hope – which was dim to begin with – may have been completely eclipsed by this latest rumor.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, who has inside knowledge of the situation, the rumors around the market point to Milwaukee with the intention of starting a fire sale in the event that the two-time MVP does indeed leave them via trade. Players like Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma would likely be aggressively shopped to give the Bucks some more assets.

While that seems like a vague fact for the 76ers, it actually means the Bucks aren’t looking for a win-now return package at all. Their front office will have to be completely rebuilt in case they trade Giannis, and that’s not good news for those hoping Philly can at least get to the trade table with Milwaukee.

The 76ers are basically done in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes

The 76ers will never trade Tyrese Maxey or VJ Edgecombe, who are the cornerstones of their franchise. As a result, the most realistic offer they can make for Antetokounmpo is one of their other stars (Joel Embiid or Paul George), likely Jared McCain, and some more draft capital.

But once again, with the Bucks looking for a forward-looking package in a future deal for the Greek Freak, the 76ers have essentially been taken out of the race. Milwaukee will never be enticed by the prospect of getting an aging and injured Embiid or George, and Philly isn’t bad enough for the Bucks to be enamored with their draft picks going forward.

Of course, it’s only rational — if not entirely correct — for the Bucks to want to start things from the ground up, just as they did before drafting Giannis in 2013. They will want young players who have legitimate chances to become All-Stars or even All-NBA caliber players.

For now, the 76ers don’t have any players on the roster they are willing to part with. As a result, they can kiss their Giannis hopes goodbye, if there was any in the first place.