Reports from both The Athletic and the New York Post this week have suggested there is a growing belief that Giannis Antetokounmpo may not actually become available via trade this offseason. The Milwaukee Bucks were scheduled to meet with Antetokounmpo last month, but no reports have surfaced on how it went or if it has even taken place. The Bucks have reportedly been eager to convince Antetokounmpo to remain with the franchise and that they can reset the roster around him to remain competitive in the suddenly wide open Eastern Conference.
“With the NBA draft three weeks away, several league personnel who spoke with The Post are less convinced that Giannis Antetokounmpo will actually become available,” writes Brian Lewis at the New York Post.
“There has been recent uncertainty in the past week on Antetokounmpo’s actual availability,” writes Kelly Iko at The Athletic.
Antetokounmpo cannot become a free agent until 2027 and is coming off another top-3 MVP finish.
As of late May, Antetokounmpo was still weighing his future with the Bucks ahead of the critical meeting. On the morning of the lottery in May, Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo was open-minded about his future beyond the Bucks for the first time. With the San Antonio Spurs moving up to No. 2 at the lottery, their ability to possibly trade for Antetokounmpo was perceived as greatly improving. The Houston Rockets are also a team that could assemble an attractive trade package to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo.