Giannis Calls It 'Disrespectful' for Bucks to Hold Him Out After Injury, Talks Possible New Contract
The Milwaukee Bucks and superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo have had a serious dispute over his playing status after he suffered a bone bruise and hyperextension of his left knee on March 15. In essence, Antetokounmpo said he was good enough to play down the regular season stretch, and the Bucks said he was not and held him out of games. The NBA is investigating the Bucks for the team's handling of the player participation policy.
Now Antetokounmpo is making how he feels even clearer, calling the Bucks' reported actions "disrespectful," per the Associated Press.
"Being cleared to play, I don't understand. I've never in my life denied participation in practice," Antetokounmpo said. "Whoever came up with that is disrespectful towards what I've done for this team and the way I carry myself.
"I did what I was supposed to do. I wasn't able to come on the court now. Who has that say? It comes from above. I thought I had control. OK, if I'm healthy, I'm going to play. This just shows me that not just me, players in general, don't have no control. No, I didn't feel like I had control."
As this turmoil is ongoing, there are serious questions about the two-time NBA MVP's future in town. He has played all 13 of his seasons in Milwaukee, but trade rumors persisted earlier this season (before nothing came of it, at least prior to the Feb. 5 deadline).
Antetokounmpo has one year left on his contract before a 2027-28 player option arrives. He can decline that and become a free agent, leading to great speculation about his future.
Milwaukee's disastrous 32-50 season, which has since resulted in head coach Doc Rivers leaving the team after two-plus years, also raises further questions. Antetokounmpo only played 36 games due to injuries (though obviously he would believe he should have played more near the end of the season), and that played a factor. However, the Bucks also went just 17-19 with him.
Antetokounmpo talked a bit about his future, via The Athletic's Eric Nehm, on Sunday. He said he hasn't been offered an extension. However, he also said he wouldn't be opposed to signing either.
"To sign? A contract? No. But, we'll see when we get there. Until we get to October, it's eight months, seven months. It's a long time. But somebody has to offer you that for you to sign. I haven't been offered an extension. So if that is on the table, then I will try to make the best decision for me and family. But if it's not on the table, then I have to focus on how can I prove my worth and get on the floor and do what I do."
He was also asked if he felt he played his last game in Milwaukee.
"That's a very good question," Antetokounmpo said. "I don't know. It's not up to me anymore. It's not up to me. We'll see."
Needless to say, there are a lot of questions right now and very few answers about his future, but it's abundantly clear Antetokounmpo isn't happy with Bucks' brass right now with how the season ended.
