Giannis Rumors: NBA Teams Called Bucks About Offers; Trade 'Not a Reality as of Now'

Even though the Milwaukee Bucks look more like a team in need of a franchise reset than a title contender, there is no indication that a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade is even on the table right now.

Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, a deal involving Antetokounmpo is "not a reality as of now" for either the two-time NBA MVP or the Bucks even though opposing teams have made calls.

"Teams have let the Bucks know in recent months they would make an offer for the Greek Freak if that day ever comes," Windhorst wrote. "But those are incoming calls, not outgoing and it's likely to remain that way."

Windhorst did note the Bucks are making trade calls looking to add talent around Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard with Khris Middleton still on the shelf after having offseason surgery on both ankles.

Even though an in-season Antetokounmpo trade seems unlikely, the idea of him getting dealt sooner than later doesn't seem far-fetched. He joked that he could get traded if the Bucks don't win a title this season.

"Do you have it in the back of your mind, like, '(What) if this year doesn't go well?' Yeah, if we don't win a championship, I might get traded. Yeah, this is the job we live," Antetokounmpo told The Athletic's Sam Amick last month. "This is the world we're living in. It's everybody."

While that comment may have been more tongue-in-cheek than an indication Antetokounmpo might be planning an exit strategy, the Bucks are under constant pressure to win because they have a superstar in his prime and have spent a ton of money on this roster.

Only the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves are spending more in payroll and luxury tax this season than the Bucks' $267.9 million. They will have problems trying to add talent to their roster because of the financial restrictions they are under as a second-apron team and lack of assets.

The Bucks don't have any draft picks until 2031. Brook Lopez has the most expensive expiring contract on the roster at $23 million, but he's probably too important to their defense to be moved right now.

Despite Thursday's win over the Utah Jazz, the Bucks are off to a 2-6 start this season.