The Milwaukee Bucks are 18-26 on the season following their 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. To make what has already been a disappointing season worse, two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his calf, and then told reporters that he believes he will be out for the next 4-6 weeks.
This, of course, would mean that he will not be able to return to the floor until well after the NBA trade deadline, which is on February 5. And based on the latest report from NBA insider Jake Fischer, Giannis’ return very well may be with a team that is not Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Bucks have allegedly realized that have to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo
For years, Bucks fans have had to witness national reporters and NBA insiders suggest trade or free agent destinations for Giannis, the unquestioned greatest player in Milwaukee’s franchise history. This summer and early season were no exceptions, with ESPN and other outlets constantly insisting that the Greek Freak was not happy and could request a trade.
But, not long ago, Giannis told The Athletic that he would never request a trade, that it was not in his nature to do so. And the Bucks, for their part, have constantly stated that they will not trade their star player unless he asks to be dealt.
However, it appears that the sentiments both sides claimed to have just a few short weeks ago have gone.
In light of Giannis’ latest injury, Fischer states that the team is coming to a realization that they cannot provide their star with the pieces he needs to win in Milwaukee, and that trading him may be in their best interest:
“All of that feeds into what sources describe as Milwaukee’s grudging realization over the course of this season that pathways to providing Antetokounmpo with the championship contention he craves just aren’t there. And that Antetokounmpo’s exit, painful as it would be, might finally be best for both sides.”
If the Bucks do decide to move on from Giannis, it will undoubtedly kill their popularity among fans, which have grown frustrated with the team as a whole anyway for their inability to reach the levels of play they did just five short years ago.
The decision to trade Giannis, too, could have serious ramifications for general manager Jon Horst and head coach Doc Rivers, neither of whom have instilled much confidence in fans that they can keep Milwaukee competitive.
More Milwaukee Bucks news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Concerning Giannis injury news emerges after 102-100 loss to Nuggets
- Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo allays fears with emphatic move
- Taurean Prince reveals basic adjustment Bucks must make to address Giannis’ frustration
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