The Bahamas just had its most successful international run ever, winning a pre-qualifying tournament — and eliminating Argentina in the process — to have a shot at making next summer’s Olympics if the national team can win another six-team tournament.
FIBA drew some criticism for allowing veteran guard Eric Gordon to compete with the Bahamas, as he previously played for Team USA at the 2010 World Cup. However, as Marc Stein writes at Substack, Gordon does have a legitimate tie to the Bahamas — his mother was born and raised in the island nation, and the U.S. granted him permission to switch allegiances, likely due to his advanced age (he’s 34).
Here’s more from Stein:
- Stein hears the Bahamian national team isn’t finished recruiting NBA players, with Evan Mobley, Isaiah Mobley and Naz Reid all eligible to represent the country. Stein also wonders if the team will recruit Klay Thompson, whose father, former top overall pick Mychal Thompson, is from the Bahamas.
- Like Gordon, Klay Thompson would have to become a naturalized citizen in order to compete for the Bahamian team, and only one such slot is available in FIBA events. Thompson has already won a pair of gold medals with Team USA. His father neither confirmed nor denied that his son might attempt to compete for the Bahamas in the future, simply telling Stein, “We’ll see.”
- Derrick Jones Jr. considered signing with the Heat in free agency, league sources tell Stein. The veteran forward, who played two-plus seasons in Miami, instead signed a one year, minimum-salary deal with the Mavericks.
- The Lakers and Knicks are among the teams that may intrigue Giannis Antetokounmpo if he were to leave the Bucks in the future, according to Stein. The two-time MVP recently expressed a desire to keep winning championships, wherever that may take him. Antetokounmpo can become a free agent in 2025.
Stein is dumb. Giannis is a very private player. He wouldn’t pick NY or LA because of how much media attention would come down on him and his fam.
How would you know? Things can happen you never know. The Bucks FO is just being warned.
@Kriss and tacocat
Recently Giannis mentioned in an Athletic article that he was uncomfortable taking his kids out and having people take pics of them. With all the paparazzi in LA and reporters in NY, if he doesn’t like that happening in Milwaukee, he won’t want to be in a mega market.
Giannis also won’t be singing with warriors , mavs , heat or clippers
I agree about the Knicks, but Giannis wants to win more than anything so I could see him going to the Lakers as they’ve proven they will surround their superstars with the right pieces to compete for championships.
As he is one of the top 5 most popular athletes in the league Giannis is going to be in the spotlight wherever he plays so I don’t think market size is going to have any effect on his future decisions.
If they had a shot at Giannis any team in the league would move mountains to acquire him and that includes the Warriors, Mavs, Heat and Clippers.
Personally I think he’ll sign the extension and stay with the Bucks.
29 other teams will be interested in him I just think he will play for one of bucks, Knicks ,nets , lakers or dark horse spurs after his current contract expires !
If Giannis doesn’t want to be in the absolute biggest markets and cares about paying less taxes, I could definitely see a Luka-Giannis pairing happening if the Bucks fumble the ball of the Greek Freak.
Cool, let’s start the meaningless speculation about future destinations two years early. Always works out well…
Why not? It worked out so well the last time he was within 2 years of free agency. He was absolutely going to the Lakers, GSW, NY, Miami, or Toronto.
I find it odd Chicago wasn’t mentioned (unless I missed it) anywhere. He has stated in the past he would consider playing there before his career is over.
Airplane Mode was on my list to return, and it would have been a cool reunion, but I think he made the right choice, b/c Dallas desperately needed a player like him, and the Heat had a couple of other options already, with Cain and Champagnie
I thought Dallas made sense for Giannis last time, and I still see it that way. I called KD to GS 2 or 3 years before it happened, even though I wanted to see him stay in OKC, b/c I just thought it was too perfect of a fit.
Not that their roster will be the same, but as of now, he fills spots Dallas has big issues with, and I think he and Luka fit well together and accentuate each others strengths and help hide each others deficiencies
Stein here saying the same thing EVERYTIME there is a rumour about a top player thinking about another team…
“They want to be in LA or NY.”
No matter the player, no matter the situation… Oh they want to play there… No attention paid to the winning part… It’s like these writers are paid by the Lakers and Knicks…