Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn't requested a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, which you may think is good news, but it's not that simple. There is a lot of uncertainty about Giannis' future in Wisconsin, but what fans do know is that he wants to win a second title. You know where that won't happen? On a team that just got blown out by the Nets.
Yes, Milwaukee was without Giannis, who is dealing with a calf strain, but still. Brooklyn entered the game with six wins. It's one thing to lose to the lowly Nets, but another to lose by 45 points. What is going on? Not much, apparently.
On Sunday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that teams are waiting for the Bucks to "signal" that Giannis is available (subscription required). That isn't surprising, but what is surprising is that Stein added that Milwaukee has "countered with whispered messaging that it remains in the market for roster upgrades to help Antetokounmpo."
Understandably, the Bucks don't want to lose Giannis, but at this point, it feels like it's a lost cause. Once again, look at Sunday's loss. Look at how Milwaukee has played this season, period.
The Bucks aren't in a position to contend for a title
When you play a season that consists of 82 games, bad losses will happen. There will be nights when you get outplayed. There are games that teams wish they could go back and undo. However, getting run out of the gym by a team that is more focused on the 2026 draft than the season is ridiculous by any standard. It's inexcusable.
Stein added that he spoke to teams that believe that the Bucks will field offers for Giannis in January, but the insider said he doesn't think it will happen unless the superstar directs his team to do so.
At this point, a trade feels more inevitable than ever. Milwaukee is the 10th seed in the East with an 11-16 record, four games back from No. 9 Atlanta. When Giannis returns, whenever that may be, he will put the Bucks in a better position to win (duh), but he can't do it alone.
The Bucks don't have the flexibility or assets to make a major pre-deadline move that would convince Giannis to extend in October. There is a chance that he will finish the season in Milwaukee, but if that happens, that could be because he doesn't want a trade request to be an in-season distraction.
The odds of a trade happening are higher than the Bucks turning their season around and making the championship run that Giannis wants.