Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks is already murky, and the two sides are now at odds over another significant decision.
The Bucks want Antetokounmpo to sit out the remainder of the season, but Antetokounmpo has “firmly rebuffed” the notion of being shut down, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. With 14 games left, the Bucks know it is in their interest to maximize their draft lottery odds, but Antetokounmpo has no interest in sitting if he is healthy enough to play.
Antetokounmpo left Sunday’s game against Indiana with a left knee hyperextension and will be re-evaluated in a week. The superstar had originally said he did not think the injury was serious and that he could have returned to Sunday’s game if necessary.
The Bucks are almost certain to miss the playoffs, as they sit 6.5 games out of the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. They are currently tied for the ninth-best lottery odds and would only have a 17.3 percent chance of landing a top-four pick as things stand.
Milwaukee is well aware that it could get a star player if the draft lottery goes their way. Sitting Antetokounmpo would maximize those chances, but the Greek forward is an intense competitor who hates missing games. There are certainly shades of Maxx Crosby’s situation with the Raiders here, and if the issue persists, trade rumors will only get louder.
Antetokounmpo has already missed 32 games this season due to various injuries.
