The cold war between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks is taking steam. They are eliminated from the postseason. Yet, Antetokounmpo, after suffering a hyperextended knee, is keen on wanting to play. Milwaukee doesn’t think he’s ready. The disagreements and the Greek Freak’s public admission about being healthy forced the league to notice.

Adam Silver wants answers. The NBA recently sent investigators to get statements from the two sides. According to Shams Charania, “Both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have told league investigators different stories”. The Bucks talisman told investigators the team refuses to medically clear him despite being healthy.

But it’s actually the competitor within Giannis Antetokounmpo that refuses to surrender. He wants to fight when available for his teammates. The Bucks’ refusal to comply with arguably their franchise’s greatest players’ wishes has complicated the relationship even further.

“For somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it’s like a slap in my face. So, I don’t know where the relationship goes from there,” Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters.

The relationship between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks became tense over the summer. The trade deadline focused entirely on the two-time MVP possibly deciding to leave. Instead, Giannis Antetokounmpo devoted himself to the Bucks’ lackadaisical future. The dominant forward didn’t want to quit on his second home.

Antetokounmpo showed his commitment. He averaged 27.6 points and 9.8 rebounds in just under 30 minutes per game.

Sadly, the Bucks’ lone superstar suffered from a range of injuries throughout the season. He’s played just 36 games, the first time Giannis Antetokounmpo has failed to play at least 60 games in any season. Likewise, the Bucks, with no hopes for contending, can’t risk their star’s health.

Ultimately, they need Giannis Antetokounmpo if he decides to stay beyond this season. Even if he doesn’t, the Bucks need him healthy to have all of their options open.

The Bucks’ dilemma – trade or extend Giannis Antetokounmpo

The tensions between the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo have steadily developed since the team stretched and waived Damian Lillard. The Greek Freak wasn’t consulted before the decision. Then the season started, and the Bucks saw reality. Myles Turner didn’t move the needle, and the team couldn’t possibly do much to upgrade its roster. Hence, the possibility of dealing Antetokounmpo.

That’s still very much alive. Bucks co-owner Wes Edens addressed Antetokounmpo entering the final year of his contract next season. And the franchise won’t be patient in prioritizing their future. Edens gave the 10-time All-Star an ultimatum.

“Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract]. So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended, or he’ll be traded. The likelihood you’ll let him just kind of play out the last year, we can’t afford that. It’s not consistent with what’s good for the organization. That’s not a Giannis issue. That’s any player that’s in their last year,” said Edens.

That’s why risking Antetokounmpo possibly aggravating his knee injury could delay the Bucks’ potential rebuild. An injury would mean two consecutive seasons wasted while paying their superstar heaps of money. It wouldn’t be wise. And to conduct any business, the Bucks need their asset to be at full throttle.

Clearly, Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t like business interfering with his character.

It’s entirely possible that after this scenario, their relationship could be over. Antetokounmpo let the Bucks save some face when he played. They were 17-19 when he played this season. For a championship-winning cornerstone, the Bucks can’t build around his strengths. They don’t have the draft picks or the assets to embellish their roster.

Likewise, if they don’t see a championship opportunity, it wouldn’t make sense to extend Giannis Antetokounmpo. It wouldn’t just waste some of the players’ best years, but also suffocate the franchise’s future potential.

They are basically left with two choices. Either they let Antetokounmpo remain loyal and stick it out for the team or they prioritise a future rebuild by using his allure. What would you do if you were the Bucks? Let us know your views in the comments below.