Giannis Trade Rumors: Bucks Tell Teams 'They're Living in a Fantasy World' on Calls

The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly paid no mind to trade calls regarding superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo amid their 2-8 start to the 2024-25 NBA season.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, teams inquired about Antetokounmpo's availability while Milwaukee was struggling, but the Bucks essentially told those teams they were "living in a fantasy world" if they thought they would be able to acquire the two-time NBA MVP.

The decision to hold onto Giannis has proved to be a good one, as the Bucks have won nine of their past 11 games, putting their seasonal record at 11-10.

That mark is good enough for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, meaning they are right back in the thick of the playoff race and are positioning themselves for a potential deep postseason run.

Antetokounmpo has undoubtedly been the biggest driving force behind the Bucks' resurgence, as he is putting up MVP-caliber numbers with a league-leading 32.6 points per game on 61.6 percent shooting to go along with 11.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.3 blocks.

Giannis, who will turn 30 on Friday, has long been one of the best and most complete players in the NBA as evidenced by his eight All-Star selections, one NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and one NBA Finals MVP Award from when he led the Bucks to a title in 2021.

Prior to Milwaukee winning a championship, there were rumors and speculation regarding Giannis testing free agency, but he signed a five-year, $228.2 million contract extension in 2020.

He then doubled down on his commitment to the Bucks by signing a three-year, $175.37 million deal last year.

Antetokounmpo is now under contract with the Bucks through at least 2027, and while the continuation of their bad start could have potentially compelled Giannis to ask for a trade, every indication is that Milwaukee never had any interest in moving him.