Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is not one of the big-name players set to hit NBA free agency this coming summer.
The Greek Freak signed a three-year, $175.9 million contract extension with Milwaukee last October, keeping him off the open market.
Though, Antetokounmpo continues to be the talk of the NBA world as the playoffs hit the conference finals phase.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the whole Association is watching Antetokounmpo’s situation with the Bucks in preparation of the multi-time MVP potentially requesting a trade.
“The whole league is obviously watching what happens with Giannis. Certainly, the Knicks are one of them,” Windhorst noted on Monday.
It must be noted that Giannis has not given any indication that he plans on requesting a trade. Rather, it’s all about the Bucks’ premature exit in the NBA Playoffs and major struggles under head coach Doc Rivers.
After falling in the first round of the NBA Playoffs to the Indiana Pacers, Giannis did not necessarily commit to being a Buck long term.
“I don’t know. Maybe I do follow a different pattern. Maybe try different things. I don’t like the word ‘rest.’ Like, if I can play, I will play. If I cannot play, I can’t play.
“I’m for sure going to sit down and think about it, of how my summer is going to look like and how next year is going to look like.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo on his playing future
We’ve seen star players request trades in the not-so-distant past. Sure, Giannis has not given any signs that he plans on doing that. But the simply fact that other teams are keeping tabs should tell us a story here.
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This past season saw Giannis continue to play at the highest level. The two-time NBA MVP averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists on 61% shooting from the field.
Obviously, teams such as the New York Knicks would be more than open to adding Giannis to the mix in a blockbuster trade. The same thing can be said for the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.