There's been no shortage of chatter - mostly from opposing franchises begging for it - that this is the summer Giannis Antetokounmpo asks for a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. Although it's still not out of the question entirely, Bobby Portis, who has been with the team for nearly five years now, detailed just how loyal Giannis really is during a recent appearance on FanDuel's Run it Back.
"Giannis bleeds green. He bleeds loyalty. I think he bleeds wanting that Tim Duncan, Kobe [Bryant]-esque type career, Steph Curry type career, where they play with one franchise."
Giannis has never hidden his loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks
These comments echo what Giannis Antetokounmpo has been saying for years. He has always said that as long as the Milwaukee Bucks are competing year in and year out, he will stay, and blockbuster deals for Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard have proven that, as he's signed massive extensions after both trades went through. He wants to be in Milwaukee. The question is the talent around him.
He never wants the franchise to grow complacent just because they have a star who can have them waltz to 45-plus wins every single year, and thus far, they haven't.
To be fair, injuries have been the main reason for Milwaukee's shortcomings in recent memory. Back in 2022, it was Khris Middleton's absence. The next two years, it was Giannis himself. Last season and this year, it was Damian Lillard, who will also likely miss a good chunk of next year as he battles back from an Achilles tear. It's not simply that the Milwaukee Bucks weren't good enough to compete.
With Lillard injured, Jon Horst faces an obstacle in making this roster as competitive as possible this summer. However, newfound flexibility from the Kyle Kuzma trade, such as more spending money in free agency and a trade exception, gives the former Executive of the Year more assets at his disposal to retool this roster and convince the Greek Freak they can still compete.
No one can fault Giannis Antetokounmpo for wanting to win, and it will be up to Jon Horst to prove to the forward over the next few months that this franchise is capable of getting back to the glory days.
Part of that process will likely involve retaining Bobby Portis himself, who has a player option but will likely test the market. He and Giannis have quite the partnership, and keeping them together makes plenty of sense, especially if it keeps the Greek Freak happy. These two could very well be the future of the team's power forward and center positions.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.