Giannis Trade Rumors: Bucks 'Made It Clear' Star Won't Be Moved amid Team's Struggles

Amid the Milwaukee Bucks' disappointing 3-8 start to the season, many are wondering if star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will be made available for a trade this year.

However, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Wednesday's episode of The Hoop Collective that the Bucks have shown no signs of being open to moving the two-time NBA MVP anytime soon.

"I know that right now the Bucks have made it clear they're not doing anything with Giannis and Giannis hasn't said anything. So right now, I think it's all speculation and conjecture," Windhorst said around the 36:46 mark.

Antetokounmpo scored 23 points to lead the Bucks to a 99-85 win over the Toronto Raptors (2-10) on Tuesday night in an NBA Cup matchup between teams that entered with the two worst record in the league. Milwaukee was without star point guard Damian Lillard, who is in the concussion protocol.

Before the start of the 2024-25 season, Antetokounmpo acknowledged that his future with the Bucks could change at any time based on the team's performance.

"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. This is the world we're living in. It's everybody," Antetokounmpo told The Athletic's Sam Amick.

Still, it doesn't sound like there's an expectation that Milwaukee is ready to blow things up by trading the 29-year-old away. NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported that Antetokounmpo would have to be the one to force his way out for the Bucks to start listening to offers.

"It is understood quite clearly in 29 other front offices that Antetokounmpo is only ever going to be made available for trade if he pushes for it," Stein wrote.

For now, Antetokounmpo will be focused on helping Milwaukee dig out of its early-season hole. The team will go for its second straight win when it meets the Detroit Pistons (5-7) on Wednesday.