Around the league, the hope of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade is dying down. Teams are backing off. And insiders now say what Milwaukee Bucks fans have always believed — he may never ask out.
After weeks of behind-the-scenes buzz, rival teams around the league are cooling on the idea that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be made available this offseason. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, there’s been a clear shift from “optimism” to “skepticism” among teams hoping to make a move for the two-time MVP.
“There was no shortage of excitement from other teams that they were going to be able to potentially make an offer to get Giannis… Of late, that confidence has been replaced with skepticism," he said.
"I'd say for now, for now, talking to people around the league, the assessment and the expectation is that they're going to believe it when they see it, that someone who was valued being the franchise face, the central linchpin of the Bucks franchise is going to want to play somewhere else."
Bucks fans should heave a sigh of relief after this latest update
All this comes a week after the mainstream media machinery flooded timelines with wild trade proposals landing the Greek Freak on other teams, some more absurd than others.
“Giannis showed faith and patience, once again, in the franchise that took a chance on him 12 years ago,” said Wright. “Milwaukee is expected to be extremely active in the trade market and free agency as they explore all avenues to upgrade their roster with limited assets.”
So yes, this should be the best news in the world for the Milwaukee Bucks faithful who no longer have to hold their breath, at least for now.
Now obviously, this won’t stop teams from calling. Any self-respecting front office in the association would have to do its due diligence to get better, after all. But behind the scenes, even the most aggressive front offices are starting to believe what Bucks fans have known all along: Giannis isn’t built like that.
He’s not James Harden. He’s not Kevin Durant. He’s always said he values loyalty, being the face of the franchise, and competing for a title in Milwaukee — not just chasing easier rings. Fischer says the expectation around the league now is clear: “They’re going to believe it when they see it.”
That’s not to say Milwaukee’s front office is off the hook. The Damian Lillard situation remains complicated. The Bucks have an aging roster, a thinned-out asset chest, and a 34-year-old star point guard recovering from a torn Achilles making $54 million next season. That’s a mess to clean up, and they need to start now.
But surprisingly, none of that has changed the equation for Giannis. That speaks volumes about his love and loyalty for the team that first took a chance on him all those years ago.
Barring something dramatic, Fischer says any real decision — to entertain trade talks or not — would likely come closer to the end of June, as the offseason ramps up. As it currently stands, the Bucks still only have concepts of a plan to keep Giannis in town. Until then, the league waits. But hope is fading. And that’s good news in Milwaukee.
"I've been told all along that if there is a decision, a formal decision made to shut or open the door on trade conversations for Giannis this summer, that it would likely happen closer to the end of June and when the off season really, really begins," Fischer said.
And for this writer, the only scenario that would see the Greek Freak shipped out of Wisconsin is this: if he's traded against his wishes for an offer that Jon Horst simply can't refuse - and one that would jumpstart their next rebuilding era immediately.
But Milwaukee Bucks fans know what we know about the kid from Athens: that he's shown loyalty time and time again, and that he represents the city of Milwaukee through and through. Other teams might have to keep holding their breath for another season.