The Milwaukee Bucks have been a major part of NBA discourse this season, but not in the same way they have been in the past. This year, they’ve struggled to find success as they currently sit at 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a 31-47 record.
Their season has been hampered by the long-lasting conflict between the Bucks and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to a bombshell report released by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday, Antetokounmpo and his agent went to the Bucks just a few weeks into the season and requested that he be traded.
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While no trade request was made public, Antetokounmpo reportedly told the Bucks all season that he wanted to be traded as he felt the team could no longer be competitive.
“Giannis has wanted to handle this professionally by being very up front with the team,” one direct source told Charania. “This could have been a happy resolution but instead might end up being a nasty breakup.”
Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, ramped up these requests in January. They reportedly had a meeting with team owners Jimmy Haslam and Wes Edens to reiterate that it was time to part ways. It wasn’t long until the Bucks were discussing offers with teams.
Charania reports that 12 different teams had talks with the Bucks regarding a trade for Antetokounmpo, with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat being the most prevalent in these discussions.
By the trade deadline, Milwaukee wasn’t satisfied with the offers they received. They opted to hold onto Antetokounmpo with the belief that they will receive better offers this summer.
Through the drama, Antetokounmpo battled back from a knee injury that saw him miss 15 games. Less than two weeks later, he hyperextended that knee against the Indiana Pacers on March 15. The Bucks immediately told Antetokounmpo that they wanted to shut him down for the season.
He wasn’t on board with that idea and has since maintained that he is now healthy and willing to play. Weeks later, the NBA launched an investigation into the Bucks and their management of their star player. Antetokounmpo did not hold back his frustrations when speaking to reporters on April 3.
“For somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it’s like a slap in my face,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m available to play, but I’m not in the game. I’m available to play today. Right now. I’m available. So, I don’t know where the relationship goes from there.”
The Bucks were ultimately eliminated from playoff contention on March 28, and Antetokounmpo still hasn’t taken the court since his knee injury last month.
After the Bucks’ worst season in a decade, many in the basketball world anticipate that Antetokounmpo will be on a new team by the start of next season.
The growing sentient online is that his relationship with the Bucks is irreparable and the breakup should happen sooner rather than later. Team sources seem to realize that a parting of ways is coming.
“This is as toxic of a team situation as any in the league,” one source close to the team told Charania. “They waited until the very end on Giannis, and now everyone knows.”
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
