The future of Giannis Antetokounmpo is quickly becoming one of the biggest storylines of the NBA. Even after signing an extension this season, the word on the street is that the Greek Freak may soon outgrow his patience with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“If they lost in the first round the first person you’re worried about isn’t Dame,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on ‘Get Up’ morning show. “It’s Giannis. You want to make sure Giannis is still committed. If they go down in the first round again, in back-to-back years, I’m not sure where Giannianis gonna be. No matter what happens, this is a flawed roster.”
"If [the Bucks] go down in the first round again … I'm not sure where Giannis is going to be."
👀 @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/NivbiUqDDh
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 16, 2024
Giannis Antetokounmpo was quick to sign an extension after the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard in the fall. Believing his team to be sure-fire title contenders, Giannis followed through on his commitment with the Bucks and drastically decreased the chances of a departure anytime soon.
Of course, in the NBA’s new player empowerment era, being under contract does nothing to prevent player movement. If he wants, Giannis could try to force his team’s hand as early as this summer and the belief is that he might try it depending on how the Bucks finish this season.
As an NBA champion, 2x MVP, and 8x All-Star, Giannis is undoubtedly one of the best players in the game, and whatever team he’s on has a puncher’s chance against any lineup in the NBA. The Bucks have spent the better part of a decade trying to keep this guy happy and their ongoing struggles on the court threaten to upend everything they’ve built over the past 10 years.
The Most Important Playoff Run Ever For The Milwaukee Bucks
Coming into the season, fans and experts expected the Bucks to be a powerhouse with the combined talents of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Providing the perfect blend of inside and outside scoring, the Bucks believe they can win it all and it’s why they were willing to give up their prized veteran point guard, Jrue Holiday.
But since the very beginning, things have not been right for the new-look Bucks. With the departure of Holiday, who was replaced by Malik Beasley and Damian Lillard, the team’s defense fell off a cliff, and the Bucks could not keep up with their opponents.
Offensively, Lillard has been off the mark all season and he’s putting up some of the worst efficiency numbers of his entire career. This season, through 73 games, Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game on just 42% shooting from the field.
That’s not to mention the changes in the coaching department this season. Months after hiring Adrian Griffin, the Bucks let him go despite being second in the East and they brought in Doc Rivers has failed to get better results so far.
Objectively, the Bucks are reeling right now and they’ve been desperately looking for answers all seas long. Record aside, this season has a chance to be one of the most disappointing in franchise history if they fail to come out of the first round.
If it fractures the relationship between Dame and Giannis in the meantime, things could go from bad to worse for the Bucks organization. For now, there’s still a chance for redemption if they can just get right for the first round.
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