The Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo have started conversations about his future with the franchise and “whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday.
Per the report, “a resolution is expected in the coming weeks.”
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Hours after the report, Antetokounmpo sustained a non-contact calf strain in Milwaukee’s game against the Detroit Pistons. The severity of the injury was initially unclear. It was also unclear how long he would be sidelined.
Antetokounmpo suffered the injury in the first quarter, and the Bucks ruled him out with the calf strain shortly after he left the court.
Doc Rivers denies report
Prior to Wednesday’s game, head coach Doc Rivers was adamant that Antetokounmpo had not requested a trade.
“I want to make it clear for the — I want to say one more time — for the 50th time, and clearly it’s not getting to one network, for sure, Giannis has never asked to be traded,” Rivers told reporters, per The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “Ever. I can’t make that more clear.”
Rivers also denied that the Bucks have engaged in such conversations with Antetokounmpo or his agent, Alex Saratsis.
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“There’s been no conversations,” Rivers said.
Rivers does not work in Milwaukee’s front office. Jon Horst is the general manager and head of basketball operations. Horst has not commented publicly on Charania’s report. Antetokounmpo did not speak with media prior to Wednesday’s tip.
Bucks have fallen out of contention
The report of the conversations arrives amid a 9-13 start for the Bucks in which they’re in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
A nine-time All-Star and two-time NBA MVP, Antetokounmpo is a franchise icon and led the Bucks to their second NBA championship in 2021. But the Bucks have failed to compete for a championship since winning that title and don’t look like a playoff team this season as constructed.
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Antetokounmpo, 30, remains a dominant force and one of the NBA’s elite players. With Milwaukee out of contention, it appears that the Bucks have resigned themselves to considering a complete rebuild while sending Antetokounmpo to another franchise where he could compete for a championship.
Is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s time with the Bucks coming to an end?
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)Bucks have failed to remain in contention since winning title
Since winning the 2021 championship, the Bucks have failed to advance out of the second round of the playoffs. They’ve suffered first-round exits in each of the last three seasons. Antetokounmpo’s top running mates from that championship team, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, are both gone.
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And Milwaukee’s efforts to build another contending roster around Antetokounmpo sank when Damian Lillard suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon last season.
With Antetokounmpo carrying the load, Milwaukee got off to a 6-3 start this season that included a win over a New York Knicks team that Antetokounmpo’s name has been associated with in trade rumors. But that start was not sustainable, and the Bucks have since gone 3-10, including losses in eight of their last nine games. Antetokounmpo missed four games with a groin injury during that stretch.
Since Monday’s loss to the Washington Wizards, Antetokounmpo has scrubbed mentions of the Bucks from his social media, fueling further speculation of his discord with the state of the team.
Giannis wants to play for a winner
Amid reports linking his name in trade talks, Antetokounmpo reiterated his desire to compete for championships at Milwaukee’s media day on Sept. 30.
“Guys, every summer there’s truth,” Antetokounmpo said. “To every report. The same thing I’ve been saying my whole career — I want to be on a team that allows me, gives me a chance to win a championship and wants to compete at a high level.”
Antetokounmpo is playing on a three-year, $186 million contract extension that he signed in 2023 in the aftermath of Milwaukee’s trade to acquire Lillard. That extension includes a player option for the 2027-28 season.
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Whatever his future holds, his injury is now the immediate concern.