This post was originally published on this site.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly had discussions recently with his teammates regarding the trade rumors currently surrounding him.
Chris Haynes reported on NBA TV Tuesday night that Giannis spoke to his teammates in order to “stress the importance of focusing on basketball and not to allow outside distractions to interfere with the process at hand.”
Giannis reportedly made it clear that he is still with the Bucks and focused on working his way back from the strained calf injury that has him on the shelf. Antetokounmpo reportedly also told his teammates that he “can’t control” what happens to him in terms of whether he remains with the Bucks or gets traded.
Haynes’ report comes on the heels of ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting last week that Giannis and his agent were “having conversations” with the Bucks about his future and whether it would be best for him to stay or play elsewhere.
Charania added that the Giannis-Bucks situation is expected to be resolved “in the coming weeks,” leading up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee has been ripe for rumors and speculation dating back to the offseason when Charania reported that Giannis had expressed a willingness to join the New York Knicks.
Per Charania, the Knicks were given “an exclusive negotiating window” over the course of “a multi-week period in August,” but no deal got done.
Giannis decided to give it another go in Milwaukee, but sources told Charania that Antetokounmpo planned to “examine the Bucks’ first 25 or so games and make decisions on his long-term future.”
Through 25 games, the Bucks are 10-15, placing them 10th in the Eastern Conference. They are just slightly ahead of the 9-14 Chicago Bulls for what would be the final spot in the postseason play-in tournament.
Milwaukee was aggressive this offseason in retaining key players such as Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince, while also waiving injured nine-time All-Star guard Damian Lillard and signing center Myles Turner, who was arguably the top unrestricted free agent available.
Those moves have not produced consistent results, although it should be noted that the Bucks have a winning record of 9-8 when Giannis plays.
Not surprisingly, they’ve hardly been competitive in games without Antetokounmpo, going just 1-7.
The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo has long been a top-five player in the NBA and the unquestioned face of the franchise in Milwaukee.
His list of accolades is long and impressive, as Giannis is a nine-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, a two-time NBA MVP, a one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a one-time NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP.
Giannis averaged 30 points per game or better and 11 rebounds per game or better in three consecutive seasons entering 2025-26, and so far this season through 17 games played, he is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
The Bucks have some other solid pieces outside of Giannis, such as Porter, Turner, Portis, Ryan Rollins, Kyle Kuzma and AJ Green, but without their superstar, they have looked listless.
Charania reported last week that Giannis would miss two to four weeks with a calf strain, so it is possible the Bucks will be well off the playoff pace by the time he returns.
If that happens, it is fair to wonder if it might make the Bucks more willing than they were previously to part ways with one of the greatest players in franchise history and a future Hall of Famer.