Giannis Antetokounmpo Appears In Trade Rumors As Bucks Start Slow

It seems like a massive overreaction. It probably is. But after a poor start to the 2024-25 season for the Milwaukee Bucks, several reports suggest that the team would be open to trading star Giannis Antetokounmpo at the deadline if things don’t improve. Doing so would dramatically shift the franchise’s focus.

Imaging Antetokounmpo on another NBA team is difficult to comprehend, as the two-time MVP and 2021 NBA Champion is deeply ingrained in the Bucks’ team culture. His brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, is a fixture on the team’s bench. The team acquired star point guard Damian Lillard last season to build around the “Greek Freak,” and abruptly replaced coach Adrian Griffin with Doc Rivers during the 2023-24 season to preserve the team’s postseason chances.

But even after all those attempted improvements, Milwaukee’s playoff run last year ended early due to injuries and a lack of team chemistry. The problems have carried over to the 2024-25 campaign. Khris Middleton missed the start of the season with an injury and will not be back until November. Without him, the Bucks have started the season 1-4 and lost two games to the Nets and Bulls, both weaker Eastern Conference rivals on paper. Antetokounmpo and Lillard are playing well, but the team around them is not stepping up.

If Antetokounmpo does not successfully help Milwaukee turn things around, several anonymous executives have told outlets that they expect a blockbuster deal. The team is nowhere near that reality after just four games, but it’s still a clear indicator that people are looking into the situation in Milwaukee and seeing obvious cracks.

With Middleton returning soon, the Bucks figure to improve with their big three in place, at which point they can truly assess their standing within the conference. Last year, the team still managed to finish third despite a number of issues during the regular season, so it’s not unreasonable to expect the team to reach some equilibrium this year as well. Antetokounmpo has repeatedly expressed a desire to win another championship in Milwaukee, and as long as the team has a realistic chance, it will be difficult to foresee any kind of move.

“As long as we are in for a championship … we are all good,” Antetokounmpo said in September 2023. “The moment I feel like people are complacent, and they’re ‘OK’ … I am not.”

Article by Patrick Moquin