When healthy, Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to play. The Milwaukee Bucks do not want him to do so. The Athletic's Sam Amick (subscription required) says that this standoff is the "clearest sign yet" that the two parties may go their separate ways this offseason in a divorce that has been brewing for the last few months.
Bucks are in an impossible position with Giannis
Outside of the National Basketball Players Association, no one is calling out the Bucks for wanting to hold out the Greek Freak. The forward has suffered several injuries this season that have limited him to just 35 games. He has battled countless other injuries in recent years, notably in the NBA Playoffs. There is no denying that some rest could do his body some good.
Whether they bring the superstar back next season or trade him in the summer, a healthy Giannis is the best Giannis. If he decides he wants to run it back, the Bucks can—hopefully—tear up this current roster and put a better-fitting group around him. If he wants to depart, the team can assure interested parties that Giannis is healthy after getting some needed rest and make sure they get the best offer.
Instead, Giannis has made it clear to management that he wants to play, even if there is nothing left to play for. The team hasn't officially been eliminated from postseason contention, but it's coming soon; not even a full-strength Giannis could change that. If the team had a shot, sure, bringing him back into the lineup would make sense. They do not. It's time to look ahead to the summer.
Now, their choices are to hold Giannis out and risk upsetting him, which could lead him to ask out this summer, or let him play and risk disaster with no upside whatsoever. No team wants to be in that spot.
Bucks have 10 games to dictate the future of the franchise
It must be noted that Giannis isn't healthy right now. Doc Rivers, when asked about the NBPA calling out the Bucks' decision not to play Giannis, disregarded the idea that the Greek Freak is even healthy enough to get back on the court right now. The forward could very well simply not be ready to play over these final 10 games, so all of this chatter about him wanting to play could be a moot point.
All will be revealed down the stretch. If he returns to the court, Giannis will have won this game of tug of war. If he sits, he either simply wasn't healthy enough to play or will be incredibly upset that he did not get to return like he wanted to. Any scenario sets up what should be an action-packed summer for the Milwaukee Bucks, who could be going through seismic changes.
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