Giannis Denies Discussing Trade With Bucks, Addresses Future amid NBA Rumors

While trade rumors continue to circulate around Giannis Antetokounmpo, he denied having any conversations regarding a potential move with the Milwaukee Bucks.

"I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks," he told reporters Thursday while admitting his agent could be discussing moves with Milwaukee and other teams. "I'm still locked in. Locked in on my teammates."

Antetokounmpo pointing out his agent could be engaged in such discussions is notable, but Bucks fans can at least take solace in his suggestion that he is focused on how he can get healthier and help the team when he returns to the court.

The future Hall of Famer hasn't played since Dec. 3 because of a calf injury, and Milwaukee's only realistic chance at being a contender in the Eastern Conference is having him on the floor.

After all, he is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 63.9 percent from the field this season. Assuming he doesn't miss too much time, he is poised to add to a resume that already includes a championship, an NBA Finals MVP, two league MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year, nine All-NBA selections, five All-Defensive selections and nine All-Star Game nods.

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Yet the Bucks are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in at 11-16.

They have lost three of four since Antetokounmpo's injury, and it is fair to question whether they have enough talent to be a factor in the playoffs even with their star healthy and on the floor. If those questions continue to linger, so will questions about his future with the only NBA team he has ever known.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported earlier this month that someone familiar with the team said "the writing is on the wall" when it comes to an eventual trade.

Charania also reported Antetokounmpo and his representation "opened discussions with the Bucks about the future and whether the best path forward is to stay in Milwaukee or be traded."

While the star player denied being directly involved in those conversations, there is plenty of smoke about a possible trade and will likely continue to be leading up to the Feb. 5 deadline.