Latest Giannis Trade Rumors Reveal Buzz on Bucks Star's Future After Comments on Injury

People around the NBA are becoming increasingly convinced the Milwaukee Bucks will trade Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, according to a new report from NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein's report was published two days after an NBA spokesperson confirmed the league is investigating the Bucks for inconsistent reports regarding the injury that has sidelined Antetokounmpo since March 15.

Even before that report, Stein wrote "there was a strong belief leaguewide that a long-anticipated Giannis trade will finally happen this offseason."

"The acrimony that has spilled out in recent days has only increased that belief," Stein wrote.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported ahead of the NBA's February trade deadline that Antetokounmpo was ready to consider a move out of Milwaukee, and that the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors were among the teams seriously interested.

Antetokounmpo has been out since March with what the Bucks have described as left knee hyperextension and a bone bruise.

Charania reported Saturday the Bucks have told the NBA that Antetokounmpo "declined the opportunity to play 3-on-3 scrimmages as part of return protocol from a mid-March knee injury."

Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, told reporters, including The Athletic's Eric Nehm, on Friday that the Bucks' decision to make him not available to play was "like a slap in my face."

"I'm available to play today. Right now. I'm available. Do I look like I'm not available?... I don't know what game is being played right here, I just don't wanna be a part of it," Antetokounmpo said, per Nehm.

The NBA said in their Saturday statement that Antetokounmpo "declined to participate" in scrimmages scheduled as part of his return-to-play process, but that "there is a disagreement as to whether the team requested that Giannis participate in a group workout earlier this week."

The Bucks were eliminated from playoff contention last month and currently hold the league's 10th-best odds of winning the No. 1 pick, per Tankathon.

Antetokounmpo, who averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 36 games this season, has repeatedly said he wants to be playing for a contender.

A potential trade to a contender this offseason could be complicated by his $58.5 million cap hit for next season.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported in February that the move could also be made more difficult by the ownership structure of the Bucks, which Shelburne wrote has left rival franchises unsure of who would be the decision-maker behind a potential deal for Antetokounmpo.

The public split between the Bucks and Antetokounmpo over his injury status could increase the odds of a trade this offseason despite those obstacles.