Despite all of the recent chatter, the Milwaukee Bucks are pushing away teams looking to make any inquiries on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Speaking on the All NBA Podcast, insider Marc Stein made it clear how the Bucks feel and the message they are relaying to interested teams: "He’s not available. We don’t want your trade pitches." The Bucks aren't ready to give up just yet.
Giannis isn't up for grabs, despite league-wide interest circulating
This should surprise no one. The Milwaukee Bucks have made it crystal clear that they will ride things out with Giannis until the wheels fall off. As long as he doesn't flat-out request a trade, Giannis will be a Buck. So far, it sounds like he hasn't gone that far yet, though he is allegedly pondering his future, so the Bucks are operating as they normally would.
Making matters more difficult is the Greek Freak's health, as he is set to be out for weeks due to a calf injury. It's hard for a team built around a superstar to win when that superstar is out, and the Bucks are putting that on display for the world to see. Winning would make all of this trade chatter go away, but the Bucks simply haven't been able to do much of that this season.
Is there still time to right the ship and prove to Giannis that this team can compete? Of course, but it won't be easy.
Just like every other year for the last half-decade, injuries have taken over, making the Bucks' dreams much more difficult. Kevin Porter Jr., who is playing extremely well, had missed over a month. Taurean Prince is out indefinitely, amplifying the Bucks' need for a wing. Giannis has missed significant time as ailments pile up. Yet, Milwaukee must push forward.
No matter what the Milwaukee Bucks say, teams will keep calling about Giannis. Rumors of a player of his stature potentially becoming available don't surface every day. If there is even a one percent chance that he's looking for a chance of scenery, that's enough for teams. Yet, unless something falls through, Jon Horst, Milwaukee's general manager, will keep rejecting those incoming calls.
Instead, it will be up to Horst to make the calls to see what he can do to improve this current group. Trade chatter should pick up once a good chunk of players become trade-eligible on December 15. That is when everyone might get some clarity on the situation at hand.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.