Fresh off delivering a championship to Milwaukee in 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo made it clear what drives him: winning the right way. So despite the growing trade chatter around his name, he isn’t looking to bail. According to Chris Haynes, Giannis is still willing to run through a wall to fix things in Milwaukee. The only problem is he isn’t sure the Bucks are committed to the same path.

“He said he doesn’t know what’s going on behind the scenes with the front office or what they are looking at doing as far as his future goes,” Chris Haynes revealed on NBA Nightcap. “He said his focus is getting healthy and being there for his team and not running from situations”.

That tension reportedly surfaced when the Milwaukee Bucks waived Damian Lillard, leaving Giannis blindsided and frustrated. Despite the team’s 10-14 record in the East, he still wants to stay and navigate the rough patch. Yet as he works on returning to full health, Antetokounmpo appears to lack a clear line of communication with the Bucks’ front office, adding uncertainty to his future.

And it isn’t just the trade bothering Giannis. Out with a right calf strain, the following few weeks could be crucial for the Bucks. It’s clear that no matter what happens, Antetokounmpo isn’t actively looking for a new setting. He is willing to ride this out with the Bucks and be in the trenches with them. However, the front office could use this time to understand just where the team is heading.

Nobody, most of all the Bucks, would want to trade the Greek Freak. The two-time MVP has established himself as one of the greats of the franchise. But it’s their situation that might actually see them do what’s best for both sides. And it all comes down to the front office weighing their potential to compete with the resources they have.

The Bucks might have no choice but to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo

Having said that, the Bucks may not have a choice. The situation demands immediate action. And if the Bucks can’t generate any positive momentum, the front office will have two ways to see the situation.

One way is to trust Doc Rivers and the other current unit for the future. That would likely mean committing $275 million to Giannis Antetokounmpo during the summer. Nothing wrong with that. However, the Bucks are depleted of draft picks. They don’t have their own picks until 2030. That constrains them from making any major roster moves to improve the team.

Having Giannis Antetokounmpo as the centerpiece will always keep the Bucks in championship territory. But they still need to fill out the roster with players who can assist the Greek Freak. If they fail to make any postseason progress this season, a rebuild strategy could very well be on the cards. Antetokounmpo is the only stalwart who can help them retain draft capital and facilitate starting from scratch.

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Also, it’s not entirely similar to what happened with Luka Doncic and the Mavericks. But the foundation remains the same. The Bucks will be open to paying Giannis Antetokounmpo any sum. But if there’s no practical way to build around his talents, the return on investment won’t be as high as the Bucks would want. So it all rests on the thought process that goes on behind the scenes.

The Bucks seem to trust Kevin Porter Jr. and Giannis Antetokounmpo as a potential core. But without tangible progress this season, frustration could mount for Giannis, and the franchise might consider a full rebuild to recover lost value. That’s why every game this year carries heightened significance, with the team’s direction hanging in the balance.

If Antetokounmpo picks up his player option next season, the Bucks risk losing him for nothing. And if they can’t see the team winning in the next two years, the front office might feel it’s pragmatic to restart the entire process once again.