There were concerns about Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s future with the Milwaukee Bucks throughout the summer. There were rumors that the great forward would ask for a trade and quit the Bucks due to their poor performance. Fortunately for the team, Antetokounmpo plans to stay committed and try to make things work and contend for a championship.
The Greek star is left as the lone star in the team after his longtime co-star, Khris Middleton, was traded to the Washington Wizards last season. Damian Lillard was released by the front office over the summer, after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the playoffs.
The Greek Freak’s future with the franchise is their priority this season until the star is up for a contract extension. Since winning the championship in 2021, the Bucks have fallen off and haven’t been a true contender to win another title. Antetokoounmpo wants to make the most of his prime and win more than one, which is why trade speculations surrounded Milwaukee’s offseason.
From afar, it looked like Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future seemed uncertain. But he addressed his time ahead with the organization on Wednesday, during his media availability.
“I’ve said this many times, I want to be in a situation that I can win and now I’m here,” the 2021 Finals MVP said. “I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I’m here to lead this team to wherever we can go and it’s definitely going to be hard.
Although Antetokounmpo hinted that there’s still a chance for him to change his mind regarding his loyalty.
“Now, if in six, seven months, I change my mind, I think that’s human too. You’re allowed to make any decision you want, but I’m locked in. I’m locked in to this team.”
Bucks’ head coach dismissed the trade rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo
There’s a new rumor about Giannis Antetokounmpo naming his preferred trade destination. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the New York Knicks have emerged as a potential landing spot for the two-time MVP.
When it was brought up to head coach Doc Rivers, he quickly dismissed the talks.
“I don’t have to because Giannis does that. Everything Giannis says is about the team and being a better team, so I don’t have to do that. Every part of Giannis says that,” said Rivers.
“You create the story and then you report on the story you created. And that’s what it feels like. And it gets old for us. But at the end of the day, there’s nothing we can do about it, but I can tell you, Jon [Horst] has never called a team about Giannis.”
Both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are focused on becoming competitive together.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
