The Milwaukee Bucks have spent the past few months worrying about the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and though trade rumors from the offseason had quieted, they’ve now been ramped up once again, as the 2021 Finals MVP could be on the move in the near future.
Most recently, Antetokounmpo reportedly deleted nearly everything related to the Bucks franchise on his social media. He also deleted many of his other previous posts, a signal to some that his time with Milwaukee could be coming to an end.
“There was a bit of a scare on Bucks Twitter Tuesday morning. Giannis Antetokounmpo has seemingly removed all references to the team from his Instagram,” Sam Quinn wrote for CBS Sports. “He is now simply listed as “‘athlete.’”
Antetokounmpo had been clear that he was open to exploring options outside of Milwaukee, but returned to the team after an eventful offseason, which included the report that he moved his family to his home country of Greece. The social media news also comes after the Bucks lost to the Washington Wizards, which was only the team’s third win of the season.
Bucks Struggles Point To An Uncertain Giannis Future
Some of the concerns were quieted a bit as fans realized Antetokounmpo had pulled more than just Bucks’ related posts from his social media accounts, yet still, the team’s recent struggles have put his name back in trade rumors.
“When he professed his commitment to the Bucks in October, he felt the need to toss in that ‘if in six, seven months I change my mind, I think that’s human, too,’” Quinn wrote. “He’s been open about wanting to win a second ring more than he wants to retire as a Buck. With extension-eligibility looming, the Bucks are on a ticking clock here.”
Milwaukee has now lost eight of its last nine games, currently 9-13 and 11th in the East. Antetokounmpo has carried his weight, averaging 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists on 63.9% shooting, but hasn’t gotten enough from his teammates.
“Nobody should have a personal agenda. Nobody should worry about what they want from themselves,” Antetokounmpo said after a recent loss, despite not playing with a groin injury. “Worry only about winning mentality, winning mindset. The more we can win the games, the more everything takes care of itself.”
General manager Jon Horst has said multiple times he feels the team has done all they can to surround their star with talent, but so far this year, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
It was reported by Shams Charania over the summer that the New York Knicks had interest in Antetokounmpo, but trade talks between them and the Bucks were short-lived. He’s been also linked to the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers, but there hasn’t been any reported discussions on a potential trade to those franchises.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Heat Up
Besides the Bucks losing, Antetokounmpo’s recent social media purge was the latest spark that reignited the trade rumors that ran rampant over the summer.
One of the last remaining posts on the star’s X account was one wishing the late Kobe Bryant a happy birthday, a signal of which Karl Rasmussen of Sports Illustrated reported Lakers’ fans thought was a sign he wanted to move to Los Angeles.
“That post, however, led some to speculate that the nine-time All-Star was angling for a trade out of Milwaukee in hopes of moving to Los Angeles,” he wrote. “With the team struggling, some felt this was his way of expressing his displeasure with how the season has played out thus far. Other, more optimistic fans –– particularly those in L.A., felt his post was a call for the Lakers to come get him.”
Both Quinn and Rasmussen commented on the idea of an Antetokounmpo trade to the Lakers. In reality, a move like that is almost impossible considering the forward’s max contract, but it hasn’t stopped the rumors.
While a midseason move for Antetokounmpo remains unlikely based on the money he’s owed, and the assets teams are allowed to trade at the deadline, it still can’t be ruled out.
“But these things tend to move quickly once a player knows what he wants,” Quinn added. “The time to save this season, and perhaps this era, is now. The longer the Bucks wait, the scarier those social media signals are going to get.”
The Bucks have won just a single playoff series since winning the title in 2021, but Antetokounmpo has made it clear his only goal is to win another title. With Milwaukee struggling, his time in the Cream City could be coming to an end.
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