Giannis' future in Milwaukee is all but sealed if latest report is true

Thus far, Giannis Antetokounmpo has not demanded a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. He has come out and said that he would never demand a trade from the only franchise he has ever known. At least outwardly, the Bucks have maintained that they are not even listening to Giannis inquiries, though that stance may have softened in the wake of his latest injury.

All of that could be a whole lot of posturing. TrueHoop's Henry Abbott recently reported that Antetokounmpo nearly fired his agent, Alex Saratsis, because Saratsis could not engineer a trade out of Milwaukee. According to Abbott, that intel comes from "someone very well placed within the business." If the story is true, Giannis is as good as gone.

This would spell out the future as clear as day

Giannis has employed Saratsis as his agent since entering the league 13 seasons ago. His inner circle is notoriously close-knit. Cutting ties with his agent would represent a noteworthy development for that reason alone, cause to suspect that perhaps a change of scenery could be coming. 

The reported fact that Giannis nearly did so specifically because Saratsis did not negotiate a trade would put the writing on the wall in bright red ink. It's difficult to formulate a stronger indication against wanting to remain in Milwaukee that does not involve coming out with an official trade request. 

One can only speculate whether someone in Giannis' camp leaked the information or if somehow it trickled out another way. Giannis may not have wanted his near-decision to become public. For the purpose of ascertaining his likely future with the franchise, those considerations are also not especially relevant if, again, the report is true in the murky world of inter-agent politics.

If it is, it's all the evidence Bucks fans need. No need to read between the lines. Giannis' preferences would be spelled out loud and clear. 

Splitting may be the best thing for both sides, whether a trade happens by the deadline or in the summer. The Bucks could net valuable assets in a return package and spend the rest of this season free to lose as many games as possible to secure draft position. Giannis would be free to join a contender and chase his second ring. In any case, he won't be sticking around long if he is already bent on escape. 

Maybe he hasn't made up his mind. Maybe the anecdote is exaggerated, just rival agents blowing hot air to try and spark opportunity. That much could be true. 

Maybe Giannis suddenly changed his tune and is holding out hope that the Bucks can pull off the perfect deadline to re-emerge as contenders. Given that Abbott says he heard the story last week, the first part would not be likely. The second part is all but impossible.

If there's a grain of truth to this story, Giannis' future in Milwaukee is already sealed. If there's more than that, it may well be airtight.