Giannis Antetokounmpo says he’d pick LeBron James first in All-Star draft ‘so we can have a good relationship for the free agency’

Giannis Antetokounmpo, not LeBron James, surprisingly led Eastern Conference players in All-Star voting.

That puts Antetokounmpo in line to serve as a captain under the new format.

If his lead holds, whom would he pick first?

Stephen Watson of WISN:

In new #NBA All-Star format, top vote getter in each conference will be a captain & get to draft his team. I asked @Giannis_An34 who he would select with the first pick. His answer may not surprise you, but his reasoning is classic Giannis: pic.twitter.com/yQUttzgWLm

— Stephen Watson (@SWatsonTV) January 5, 2018

Antetokounmpo:

If my teammates are available, I’m going with my teammate. But if not, I’ve got to go with LeBron James – best player in the world – so we can have a good relationship for the free agency. You never know. He might come play here.

No other Bucks will make the All-Star team. I also think LeBron will overtake him for the Eastern Conference voting lead, but Antetokounmpo is in contention. (So is Kyrie Irving.)

The real takeaway, though: Antetokounmpo wants to team up with another star in free agency. Maybe LeBron will sign with Milwaukee next summer. Also, maybe they’re both #FutureLakers.