Giannis Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly one of the greatest players the Milwaukee Bucks franchise has ever had. When looking at his accomplishments and his loyalty to the organization, it’s clear that he has etched his name alongside the team’s legends.
Still, Antetokounmpo finds himself on the brink of making history again. With only 82 steals separating him from becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in the category, he could potentially accomplish something special.
Having successfully broken the records for points, assists, rebounds, and blocks, Antetokounmpo has already cemented his place in history. But by breaking the record for steals, the Bucks superstar would have the rare opportunity to become the franchise’s all-time leader in five different categories.
This feat is extremely rare, as it has only been accomplished by Kevin Garnett during his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Currently trailing Quinn Buckner (1,042 steals), Antetokounmpo is close to achieving the feat.
Apart from these five categories, the Bucks star also leads the franchise in a number of others. Some of the other categories he leads the franchise in include minutes played, triple-doubles, field goals attempted, field goal percentage, and free throws attempted.
The 30-year-old has certainly carved out an impressive career for himself in Milwaukee. While this achievement presents a golden opportunity for the forward to do something special with the team, the upcoming season is mired in speculation and doubt.
Antetokounmpo has appeared in several trade rumors this offseason. After reports emerged that he was open to exploring trade possibilities, several teams were linked with the Bucks’ star.
While several teams made advances, there were no trades materialized. This was followed by a clear message from Milwaukee that Antetokounmpo would stay, which he supported by reiterating his commitment to win with the team.
Although the rumors died down for the most part, recent reports by ESPN’s Shams Charania have seen a resurgence in potential trade possibilities. The claims indicate a dissatisfaction with the roster construction and doubts about the team’s ability to contend for the title.
The rumors presented by the media and the statements made by the Bucks paint very different pictures of the situation. While Antetokounmpo has claimed to be “all in” on Milwaukee, there remains uncertainty about his future with the team.
Antetokounmpo is in his prime. With averages of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game last season, it is evident that he is capable of carrying a team on his own. But even a superstar has limitations.
As things stand, the Bucks are not primed to contend for the title. With Myles Turner, Milwaukee acquired a solid rim-protector and floor-spacing big man. But with a glaring void in the backcourt and an overall lack of depth on the roster, the Bucks are far from being a competitive team.
