Zach BacharContributor INovember 10, 2024
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE through Getty Images
Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks is completely depending on his desire to stay with the company.
According to NBA expert Marc Stein, competing groups do not anticipate the Bucks to reveal “any determination” to move Antetokounmpo and will just talk about trades including the super star forward if he wishes to be moved.
“It is comprehended rather plainly in 29 other front workplaces that Antetokounmpo is just ever going to be provided for trade if he promotes it,” Stein composed on Sunday.
The Bucks have actually opened the 2024-25 season with a 2-7 record.
Milwaukee hasn't been contented with its slow start, however high-end tax constraints have actually apparently avoided the group from making development in trade settlements.
Per Stein, the Bucks are still attempting to enhance their depth around Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard however they've been “foiled generally” by limitations they deal with as a group operating above the 2nd tax apron.
Head coach Doc Rivers has actually likewise made modifications to his existing rotation to attempt and offer a trigger, changing sharpshooter Gary Trent Jr. with athletic wing Andre Jackson Jr. in the beginning lineup on Thursday.
The relocation at first assisted the Bucks protect a 23-point win over the Utah Jazz, however they could not preserve the momentum and suffered an uneven 116-94 loss to the New York Knicks on Friday.
After the defeat, Antetokounmpo called out the absence of competitiveness that Milwaukee revealed.
“At the end of the day, we've got to contend,” Antetokounmpo stated, per ESPN's Chris Herring. “Teams are not simply going to offer us video games. They're not going to feel bad for us. We've got to contend each and every single ownership. Every loose ball, we've got to get a body on the flooring and put it on the line. We didn't contend at all.”
After winning the 2nd champion in franchise history throughout their 2020-21 project, the Bucks have actually disappointed the Eastern Conference Finals in 3 seasons considering that. Antetokounmpo formerly acknowledged his unpredictable future with the company when talking to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
“Do you have it in the back of your mind, like,'[What] if this year does not work out?' Yeah, if we do not win a champion, I may get traded. Yeah, this is the task we live. This is the world we're residing in. It's everyone,” Antetokounmpo stated before the start of the routine season.
The eight-time All-Star has actually balanced 30.1 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.3 helps per video game while shooting 60.5 percent from the field to start the year.
