Bucks Exploring Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo Drama Unfolds

It’s completely attainable that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has performed his last recreation with the Milwaukee Bucks franchise.

This Christmas, Rudolph is just not probably the most well-known reindeer of all of them. 

The eyes of the Milwaukee Bucks and past relaxation on Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP and longtime franchise face, after a number of experiences hinted that he would search a commerce out of Wisconsin. Nearly 24 hours after such gossip surfaced, Antetokounmpo endured a calf pressure throughout the Bucks’ Wednesday win over the Detroit Pistons. 

The damage will maintain the “Greek Freak” out for no less than two weeks, however the rumors will probably have interaction in no such vacation. Will he be traded earlier than he performs one other recreation in a Bucks uniform? Bucks head coach Doc Rivers saved a stoic entrance this week, reiterating that he by no means heard Antetokounmpo voice a request to be traded.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the third longest-tenured participant within the NBA, trailing solely Steph Curry and Draymond Inexperienced pic.twitter.com/zXqIjw8nCZ

— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) December 3, 2025

“Giannis has by no means requested to be traded. Ever. I can’t make that extra clear,” Rivers stated, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. “We’re attempting to win video games … the explanation that is out is as a result of we’re not taking part in effectively … We had a troublesome loss the opposite evening and so now that is the subject material. It’s no extra true than it was this summer time.”

Rivers’ report of inactivity contrasts the gossip that emerged this offseason: each Charania and Brian Windhorst, additionally of ESPN, reported that the Bucks did have no less than some Antetokounmpo-centered discussions with the New York Knicks, a crew well-versed in rumors mills because the touchdown spot of elite NBA skills.

In a July interview with on-line character IShowSpeed, Antetokounmpo stated that “lots of people have tried to persuade [him] … to go … and play” in New York, which presently sits second within the Japanese Convention. With the season underway, the Knicks are stated to have some firm within the up to date Antetokounmpo discussions, with Windhorst reporting that the Bucks’ negotiations would not be unique to Manhattan. 

Even when Antetokounmpo hasn’t been vocal about his future, the Bucks’ hand could also be pressured to safe a smoother future: Milwaukee (10-13) had dropped seven straight previous to a latest 3-1 stretch, the final addition to the losses satirically being a defeat to the Knicks that prevented it from defending its NBA Cup title. Having gained only one playoff collection since their 2021 championship run, the Bucks had been stated to have constructed their offseason with the thought of constructing one other Larry O’Brien stand with Antetokounmpo, who turns 31 on Saturday.

To that finish, Milwaukee made a number of offseason swings, which included re-upping with Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, and Gary Trent Jr. and signing recurring playoff foe Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers, although Antetokounmpo was stated to be perturbed by the loss Damian Lillard, who was waived within the wake of the Turner deal. That hasn’t panned out within the early going, because the Bucks presently sit within the tenth spot within the East, the final of the 4 Play-In entries.

With the Antetokounmpo deal hovering over them, the Bucks, sans the MVP, will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday evening at Fiserv Discussion board (8 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports activities Wisconsin).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags