Giannis Antetokounmpo has shocked the world with his all-around skills throughout his career. However, since his NBA championship in 2021, he has experienced significant setbacks in the following seasons. Antetokounmpo fears that his team might let him go if he continues to fail their expectations this upcoming season.
The former NBA MVP is widely known as one of the Bucks’ most outstanding players, giving them numerous playoff appearances. He had achieved two NBA MVPs and multiple All-Star appearances and imbued his legacy as one of the league’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Despite his outstanding records, the “Greek Freek” is at a crossroads. The recent seasons saw his team fall below expectations in the playoffs. Antetokounmpo wasn’t always in his best shape lately and had to experience a season-shattering calf injury.
Last October, Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a three-year contract extension with his team. However, he fears these would be useless and that if he doesn’t win another championship next season, he will be traded by the Bucks, ending his eleven-year run with the team.
In an interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic, Antetokounmpo raised his concerns regarding his stay with the Bucks. He recognized that he had a “serious” job that needed to be tended by him immediately.
“On a serious note, this is the job,” Antetokounmpo said.
“It’s the profession that we’re in. At any given moment, if you don’t succeed, that might be it for us. It was the same way with the previous coaching staff, and the year before, the players before. … If you don’t do a good enough job, you’re out,” the Bucks forward added.
Giannis Antetokounmpo thinks he might be traded if the Bucks don’t win the championship
“Yeah, if we don’t win a championship, I might get traded. This is the job we live. This is the world we’re living in. It’s everybody. At any given moment, if you don’t succeed, that might be… pic.twitter.com/UxvvF3praP
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 16, 2024
Giannis Antetokounmpo played for 73 games last season, averaging 30.4 points with 61.1% shooting, 6.5 assists, and 11.5 rebounds. His contract with his Bucks would last until 2027, albeit given the pressures the team had given to him, his stay until the given year is still blurred.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s leave a target for many teams
Despite still being a part of the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster, tons of rival teams still await the possibility of trade talks involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. Different franchises wish for another downfall of the Bucks in the next season, fulfilling their desires to acquire the Bucks star.
According to insider Sam Amick, other than the struggle for Giannis Antetokounmpo, many rival executives also wish for the failure of Damian Lillard in the following season, which might open up the chances of “inevitable” trade talks that might also give the NBA veteran.
Despite lingering competition between different franchises, everyone remains to see if failure awaits Antetokounmpo and Lillard’s Bucks in the upcoming games. Their recovery from their unexpected loss last season could drive them to end the next season in a better manner.
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