Bucks Players Reportedly Feel 'Tension' Amid Giannis, NBA Trade Rumors
As star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks remains in question, his teammates are reportedly beginning to feel uneasy.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported during Tuesday's episode of NBA Today that Bucks players "can feel the tension at play here" as Antetokounmpo discusses his options with the franchise.
Charania noted that Antetokounmpo has made it clear that he wants to compete for a second NBA championship, but at 10-15, the Bucks appear to be on their way to competing for a spot in the play-in tournament. Milwaukee's performance over the next few weeks will determine whether the two-time NBA MVP seeks a change in scenery or sticks with the only franchise he's ever known.
"It'll come down to wins and losses, how this team looks before the February 5th NBA trade deadline," Charania stated.
Things won't get easier for the Bucks anytime soon, as six of their next nine games will be on the road. Milwaukee entered the year with expectations to compete for a spot in the NBA Finals, but falling behind in the standings at this point in the season could create an uphill climb.
Antetokounmpo is sidelined with a calf injury, but he's put up MVP-caliber numbers when healthy. In 17 games, he posted averages of 28.9 points, 10. 1 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
Trading Antetokounmpo would kick off a rebuild in Milwaukee, so the other players will have to impress over this stretch of games without him if they want to avoid that fate.
