Giannis Antetokounmpo has been at the center of trade rumors amid a rough start to the season for the Milwaukee Bucks, but there is reportedly only one scenario in which the team would consider moving him.
In his latest column on Sunday, NBA reporter Marc Stein said rival teams do not expect the Bucks to entertain trade offers for Antetokounmpo unless the two-time NBA MVP wants out of Milwaukee.
“It is understood quite clearly in 29 other front offices that Antetokounmpo is only ever going to be made available for trade if he pushes for it,” Stein wrote, via Zach Bachar of Bleacher Report.
The Bucks fell to 2-7 with a blowout loss to the New York Knicks on Friday night. Antetokounmpo was openly frustrated with his team’s lack of effort in the game.
There have been plenty of other signs that Giannis is unhappy, as he also had a tense exchange with a reporter after Friday’s game.
None of that means Antetokounmpo wants to be traded, of course. Khris Middleton has been recovering from offseason surgery on both of his ankles, so he should provide the Bucks with a boost if and when he returns. For now, Giannis is trying to motivate his teammates to climb out of their early-season hole.
Though the Bucks have struggled, Antetokounmpo has played at an MVP level through the early part of the season. He is averaging 30.1 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
Should Giannis decide he wants out of Milwaukee, a couple of teams have been floated as potential suitors. The chances of that happening still seem very slim.
