NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is apparently planning to leave the Millwaukee Bucks before the trade deadline.
Is the Giannis Antetokounmpo era with the Milwaukee Bucks about to end?
According to ESPN, the two-time NBA MVP is aiming to leave before the trade deadline and apparently wants to join another franchise before the deadline on February 5th.
As sources close to the league are said to have reported, the Bucks are more willing than they have been in a long time to listen to trade offers for the superstar. But the franchise doesn’t seem to be in any real rush; after all, a farewell could also be realized in the offseason.
In principle, the time for a separation would be obvious for everyone involved. Antetokounmpo is looking for new challenges after twelve years together and a realignment could also make sense for the Bucks.
The franchise is currently only in twelfth place in the Eastern Conference and is in danger of missing the playoffs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo could become a free agent in 2027
Antetokounmpo has the option to sign a four-year, $275 million contract on October 1st. However, if he decides against an extension, he could become a free agent in the 2027 offseason.
Should the Greek stay for now, he would have every opportunity to make the best decision in his final year of contract. If he were to move in the offseason, he would have to wait six months to sign a supermax extension.
Antetokounmpo hasn’t been clear about his future recently: “I don’t know. I don’t know. I take each day as it comes.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo is annoyed with his colleagues
After the recent defeat against OKC, “The Greek Freak” was very angry.
“We don’t play hard enough. We don’t do the right thing. We don’t play to win. We don’t play together. Our chemistry isn’t right. The boys are selfish and try to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. The boys try to do it on their own,” said the 31-year-old.
Words that clearly speak for a farewell. In any case, the mood in the team is tense, which also has to do with the unclear situation with Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP was also recently at odds with his own fans when he responded to a chorus of whistles in the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on the way to halftime with boos towards the stands after a layup.
According to the report, the superstar already expressed doubts about the Bucks squad last offseason and was toying with a move to the New York Knicks. Ultimately, he decided to stay.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has a bumpy season: injury reduces playoff chances
Antetokounmpo has repeatedly struggled with injuries this season. With 28 points per game, he is still one of the league’s elite, but the superstar has posted slightly better numbers in recent years.
The power forward will also be forced to watch again in the coming matches after he suffered a strain in his right fibula in the duel with the Denver Nuggets.
The Bucks’ chances of making the playoffs become even slimmer, which in turn could make a quick Antetokounmpo departure more likely.
Giannis became NBA champion for the first time with the Bucks in 2021. It will probably remain the only joint title win.
