To anyone paying attention, it was crystal clear that Giannis Antetokounmpo was staying put with the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. For good measure, the Bucks made it clear they would not field offers for their superstar by signing his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, to a standard contract. It would be the plot twist of the century if Giannis were to request a trade now.
Bucks have added a familiar face to their roster
Bucks fans know the drill with Thanasis. This wasn't some out of left field signing. While the forward missed all of last year due to an Achilles, and wasn't a Buck because of it, as soon as he got cleared medically, there was a good chance he'd end up back in Milwaukee. Indeed, as he suits up alongside his brothers in EuroBasket, Thanasis has made his way back onto the roster.
He'd been with the team for five consecutive seasons prior to last year, winning a title with the team in 2021. During that timeframe, he hasn't made much of an impact on the stat sheet, but he's been a key sideline and locker room presence, particularly to his brother Giannis. Fans can argue about the move and how much it ultimately benefits the team, but everyone who plays with Thanasis highlights how well-liked he is on this squad. That's worth something.
As for Giannis, he has dropped as many clues as possible that he has no intention of leaving Milwaukee soon, constantly expressing his desire to stay and fight for another title. It's been that way for years now, but it never stops the insiders and analysts from fueling rumors that he wants out. This rinse-and-repeat cycle has been going on for nearly a decade. Bucks fans already knew it, but adding Thanasis once again is the cherry on top regarding the belief that Giannis will be staying put.
It felt fairly obvious when Rafael Stone, general manager of the Houston Rockets, said that the Bucks made it clear they weren't moving Giannis early this summer. Or when Giannis said, "All in Milwaukee, baby," after a fan said the Greek Freak would spend the rest of his career in the city. These messages aren't meant to be mysterious. They are beyond crystal clear.
The Giannis trade chatter will be quiet for the time being, but if the Milwaukee Bucks get off to a slow start this coming season, it will surely resurface in no time.
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