Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins has labeled Giannis Antetokounmpo “a coward” for how he’s handled his ongoing situation with the Milwaukee Bucks.
While the “Greek Freak” hasn’t officially requested a trade, he wiped off all Bucks-related content on social media recently, which many felt was a sign of his unhappiness with the franchise.”
“Giannis is a coward,” Perkins said on the “Road Trippin’ Show” this week.
“… And I say that respectfully. He don’t wanna be there, and it’s okay. Instead of him just coming out and saying, ‘trade me!’ and stand on it. Just say, ‘Yes, my time is up, because I’m tired of it, bro.’”
“…I want you to stop hiding your hand,” added Perkins, implying that the two-time MVP was hiding behind trade rumors rather than publicly asking for a trade.
Giannis Trade Rumors
Perkins also took issue with Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma’s refutation of a recent report that claimed Antetokounmpo had a conversation with his teammates about his commitment. The Celtics legend felt Antetokounmpo was doing a disservice to his team by being “a distraction” rather than stating his true feelings about the Bucks.
“He’s vocal about everything else,” Perkins said of the 2021 NBA Finals MVP. “He’s loud about everything else. I’m just saying. And no one should be mad if he comes out [and asks for a trade].”
Antetokounmpo, currently sidelined with a calf strain, and his representatives have opened discussions with the Bucks about his future, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Bucks (11-15), who’ve lost seven of their last 10 games, face an uphill task to make the playoffs, especially with their best player expected to miss at least three more weeks.
Giannis Trade Incoming?
The ESPN report added that a Giannis trade will grow more likely if the franchise continues to have a losing record closer to the Feb. 5 deadline.
“Should the Bucks’ slide continue, sources said discussions between Antetokounmpo’s representation and the franchise will escalate and lead to a resolution before the Feb. 5 trade deadline,” wrote Charania.
Amid the Giannis trade rumors, NBA insider Marc Stein has reported that the Bucks have batted away calls from interested suitors, expressing their desire not to move their longtime franchise star.
“As trade season draws close, everyone is talking about Giannis. Even though — and I want to underline this — the Bucks continue to tell teams: ‘He’s not available. We don’t want your trade pitches,’” Stein told the “All NBA Podcast” on Dec. 8.
“So, it’s this weird deal where the Bucks keep shouting into the wind: ‘Listen to us! We don’t want to talk trades with you about Giannis Antetokounmpo!’ And the rest of the league just ignores it and obsesses about him.”
Antetokounmpo has the option to be a free agent in 2027.
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