Giannis Trade Rumors, Timeline Addressed by NBA Exec, Feels Bucks Are 'Done with the Circus'

The upcoming NBA offseason could develop into a massive paradigm shift if the Milwaukee Bucks trade star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and some feel it's an inevitability.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst spoke to an executive from an Eastern Conference team who said they feel the Bucks are finally prepared to move on from their longtime face of the franchise.

"It just feels like they're done with the circus, more than anything," the exec said. "They seem to want a clean break and to move on."

Earlier this week, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Bucks are "open for business on trade calls and offers" for Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee had fielded interest for the two-time NBA MVP throughout the first half of this season before ultimately deciding to retain him, but it seems like the team has had a change of heart.

While Bontemps reported that there's a "growing belief" around the league that the Bucks trading Antetokounmpo "will actually happen," some remain skeptical. NBA insider Zach Lowe recently said on The Zach Lowe Show that he's spoken to people around the league who aren't convinced that Milwaukee will deal the 31-year-old away this offseason.

"I had breakfast with an agent, a very high-powered agent, the other day, and he was like, 'I'm still betting no trade,'" Lowe said (h/t HoopsHype). "And I said, really? And he said, 'Just go through the exercise. Who has enough stuff and would be good enough with Giannis Antetokounmpo to contend right away?'"

At this stage in his career, Antetokounmpo's main focus is chasing a second NBA championship, so he would undoubtedly prefer to land with a team in title contention. It remains to be seen if he will get his wish, but this summer is shaping up to be a monumental offseason in the NBA.