Much like every offseason, teams are hoping that Giannis Antetokounmpo requests a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, though, that is not in the cards currently, as he said on ESPN's 'Get Up' that the current expectation is that Giannis will indeed start next season as a Buck, a sentiment Milwaukee fans have figured for quite some time.
"There’s not going to be a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade in the short-term future. The league has come to terms with the real realization that the Bucks are going to keep him in. Giannis is not going to ask for a trade."
Giannis likely to stick around with Bucks, as many guessed
Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it clear over the years through his words and actions that he's not the type of player to request a trade. Even his teammates consistently remind the world just how loyal the Greek Freak is to the Milwaukee Bucks. Opposing front offices and fan bases can speculate for as long as they want, but this is nothing new. It often feels like wishful thinking more than anything.
To be clear, things can change in the blink of an eye. Just like before he signed extensions following trades for Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, Giannis will likely wait to see what the Bucks do. A rumored current plan, which revolves around keeping the core together, isn't the most desirable scenario, but general manager Jon Horst is always scouring the market for a major swing, often undercover.
With Damian Lillard likely to miss a good chunk, if not all, of next season, things are complicated for the Milwaukee Bucks more than they have been in recent years. They must find a way to field a roster capable of competing in the East with their second-best player hurt. It's possible, but Horst will have his hands full. Can he do it? History says his aggressive mindset can lead to a title but also backfire.
The NBA offseason hasn't even fully begun, and rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo are already running rampant. It feels like a yearly tradition at this point. The good news is that history is on the Milwaukee Bucks' side, as Giannis keeps coming back for more.
The ball is in Milwaukee's court. For now, they should be laser-focused on the NBA Draft while getting ready for the free agent and trade market to materialize. It's time to retool the roster with an emphasis on Giannis being the focal point offensively, a role he will have to take on significantly more with Lillard unavailable for the time being.
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