The fictional trade proposals and ESPN trade machine ideas can be tucked away. NBA front office insider Bobby Marks confirmed on Wednesday that there is no validity to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks going their separate ways anytime soon.
Marks appeared on NBA today and said, "He is not looking to be moved and Milwaukee is not looking to move him," following constant media conversations about the two-time MVP potentially being traded out of Wisconsin.
The start for the Bucks has been a rough ride, with the team sitting at the bottom of the East with a 1-6 record. Of course, the trade conversations surrounding Giannis have begun. Giannis has been known to drop things in interviews and press conferences that spark debate, with him saying, "We don't have an identity" following their dismal defeat to the Brooklyn Nets last week.
Giannis will remain a Buck but the supporting cast need to do more
Giannis has started the season well from a statistical standpoint, averaging 31 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 63.3 percent from the field. One problem is his free throw shooting is down to the worst of his career at a poor 53.1 percent. Defensively, he doesn't seem to be having the impact that earned him the Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2019-20 season.
Opponents are currently shooting 44.6 percent when Giannis is within three feet of them. Coaching changes, defensive schemes, and, of course, only playing six games so far this season are considered, but in that 2019-20 season, opponents only scored 36.9 percent of their shots when Giannis Antetokounmpo guarded them within three feet. Quite a difference.
While Giannis has been deserving of criticism following some of the team's poor performances, the fellow Milwaukee Bucks really need to do more to back up him and Damian Lillard. As we saw on Saturday, Giannis scored 34 points, and Lillard scored 41, yet Milwaukee still fell short to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Issues regarding Khris Middleton's return are still unclear and with a lack of assets to trade, the changes need to come internally. We have seen signs of AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. providing a spark for the Bucks, but these young players need to show some consistency and help Milwaukee rise back up in the East.
One key player the Bucks really need to get going is Gary Trent Jr. He came into this season as one of the bargains of the offseason, signing to a minimum when many expected him to be around the $15 million range. So far this season, he is shooting just 28.8 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from three; the silver lining is he is a career 42 percent and 38.3 percent from deep shooter.
For now, the trade talks can stop as Giannis is not going anywhere, and he, along with the Bucks, will look to put an end to this slump and get back to where they believe they should be.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks news and analysis.