Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Doesn’t Plan To Sit Out Rest Of Season
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t plan to sit out the rest of the season once he recovers from his right calf strain, according to NBA reporter Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
The Bucks will not trade Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline.
“While the Bucks, who have dropped down to 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 20-29 record, could be compelled to ask Antetokounmpo to sit out the remainder of the season to keep him healthy, league sources tell The Athletic that Antetokounmpo still plans on playing once he has fully recovered from his right calf strain to help the Bucks make a push for the postseason,” Nehm wrote.
Antetokounmpo has appeared in 30 games this season. He’s averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. It’s unknown when the future Hall of Famer will return from his calf injury.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The Bucks can offer Antetokounmpo an extension this offseason.
A top-75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year, and 10-time All-Star. He holds career averages of 24.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
The Bucks won the 2021 NBA championship against the Phoenix Suns. However, they have lost in the first round of the playoffs for three consecutive years.
The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors tried to trade for Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline. Milwaukee traded Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to Phoenix for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis after pulling Antetokounmpo from trade talks.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a “viable threat” to trade for Antetokounmpo this offseason, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line. In the offseason, the Lakers can offer up to three first-round picks to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo.
In addition, Los Angeles can absorb Antetokounmpo’s contract into cap space without Milwaukee having to take back potentially unwanted salary.
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