Speculation around Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo keeps circulating, but for now, there is more rumor than substance, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
“Even though there are teams lining up and asking about Giannis, just saying to Jon Horst and the Bucks management, ‘Hey, is Giannis going to be available? Can we start talking about trade?’ It has not progressed to that yet. The Bucks are not taking calls on him,” remarked the NBA insider on their latest NBA intel.
That conversation could shift at any time, but the Bucks are hoping Antetokounmpo does not ask for a trade. The possibility has always existed, particularly given how disappointing the team’s performance has been this season.
“Teams that have inquired about Giannis have basically been told ‘no,’ and there have been no trade negotiations to this point surrounding Giannis. So, now it’s just kind of a waiting game of what Giannis decides while he’s injured, what they will potentially get offer-wise for him if he does ultimately request out. Everything’s kind of put on hold until we have a definitive answer from Giannis of yes or no, whether he will be traded or not traded,”
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status still up in the air
With Antetokounmpo expected to miss the next few weeks due to a calf injury, the Bucks could face an even tougher stretch before things turn around. That downtime could heighten his frustration and make the prospect of leaving the team more tempting.
Giannis reportedly explored joining the New York Knicks this past summer if a trade became necessary, sparking weeks of back-and-forth between New York and Milwaukee in August. According to ESPN, the Knicks put forward multiple offers, but nothing gained traction, and both the Bucks and Antetokounmpo eventually moved on.
If Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available, multiple teams will be interested in acquiring him, but the bigger question is what the Bucks will demand in return. If Milwaukee aims to rebuild, they will likely focus on collecting assets and young players.
