As the calendar turns, the Milwaukee Bucks are much in the same place that they’ve been over the past two years. Unfortunately for them, with a 14-20 record (11th in the East) heading into Jan. 2 action, they’re far from the perennial NBA Finals contender that they seemed to be at the start of the decade.
There are myriad reasons for their downturn, but regardless of the why, their mediocrity may have Giannis Antetokounmpo-sized ramifications.
Only 1 Way Bucks Will Trade Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo Amid Recent Rumors
This season, there’s been speculation that Antetokounmpo requested a trade in the summer, hoping to land with the New York Knicks. However, according to NBA insider Marc Stein (h/t Heat Central), “the Bucks continue to say over and over and over, we are not trading Giannis. We are buyers at this trade deadline. We are trying to improve our team.”
“Unless Giannis Antetokounmpo goes to the Bucks and says ‘I want out, I want you to trade me. I want you to do it now.’ It’s not going to happen,” he says. “And that has not happened yet. Is that going to happen midseason? Is that going to happen in the next month? It’s hard to see that right now.”
To Stein’s point, Antetokounmpo envisions himself as the type of player that can and will stick with a franchise through adversity. Therefore, he has consistently stated his commitment to Milwaukee when making comments publicly. Nevertheless, there can be no doubt that he appears conflicted about remaining with the Bucks due to his desire to continue competing for championships.
With that being said, though the image of Antetokounmpo in a Knicks jersey has a certain appeal, they’re not the only team that’s been linked to the Greek Freak. Last month, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic was said to have inquired about the organization’s ability to acquire Antetokounmpo. The Golden State Warriors, lamenting the demise of their dynasty, have been penciled in as potential suitors.
Of course, only time will tell whether he’s among the players changing jerseys prior to the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Given that Antetokounmpo is a decorated NBA champion who’s still playing at an elite level, there are undoubtedly other teams interested in him as well. However, Milwaukee’s certainly a better team with the two-time NBA MVP, and he remains under contract through 2027-28 (albeit with a player option in the final year).
In other words, the ball is in the Bucks’ court, but the clock is starting to wind down.
