There’s no denying that a whole lot will be on the line for the Milwaukee Bucks when they take on the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Bucks went all in this past summer by pulling the trigger on a blockbuster Damian Lillard trade, and this would prove to be futile — at least in the interim — if they get bounced in the opening round yet again.
As it turns out, there could also be a significant cause for concern on the Giannis Antetokounmpo front if the Bucks lose to the Pacers in the first round. According to ESPN’s NBA guru Brian Windhorst, it’s very much possible that the former back-to-back MVP decides to jump ship if the Bucks fail again this year.
Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future in Question?
At this point, it’s not only Windhorst who’s concerned about the Bucks’ chances against the Pacers, who incidentally, beat Milwaukee in four out of their five regular-season meetings. However, the renowned broadcaster took it a step further by suggesting that Antetokounmpo could want out if the Bucks fall in the first round for the second consecutive season:
“If they lose in the first round, you’re immediately concerned about Giannis,” Windhorst said (h/t Jake Rogers of NBA Analysis Network). “If they’re ousted early again, his future with the team could be in question.”
To be clear, this doesn’t sound like Windy is citing his ever-reliable sources here. It seems as though the ESPN analyst is merely voicing an opinion.
Then again, Windhorst is one of the most plugged-in reporters out there, so he would not have plucked this idea out of thin air.
Will Giannis Even Play?
Right now, though, there’s no guarantee that Giannis will be healthy enough to suit up against the Pacers. He’s already expected to miss the start of the series due to a nagging calf injury, and there is currently no timetable for his return to action.
Antetokounmpo’s availability in this series will likely play a key role in his (potential) decision this summer. After all, I just don’t see Giannis forcing a trade away from Milwaukee when he didn’t even get a fair shot of helping his team succeed in the playoffs this season.
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