Shams Charania of ESPN and many reliable NBA insiders are adamant that Giannis Antetokounmpo’s relationship with the Milwaukee Bucks is over. They’ve been pushing the same narrative all season. Despite public attempts to patch things up along the way, the Bucks have made no headway. The two-time MVP has also made loyalty claims, but Charania still reports that this Milwaukee – ‘franchise player’ dream is over.

“Well, to put it plainly, Giannis Antetokounmpo communicated to the Bucks for a period of months now that he believes the time has come to part ways,” Charania told Malika Andrews on NBA Countdown. “That has essentially forced the Bucks to listen to teams, to engage with teams, and remain in touch with teams here this week on the eve of the NBA trade deadline.”

“That includes Miami, Minnesota, Golden State, but at the end of the day, General Manager Jon Horst and Bucks ownership have to sift through the offers and land on the same page about the big question: ‘Whether to execute a trade now or push this to the offseason,'” Charania said.

According to the insider, Antetokounmpo initially asked the team he had spent 13 seasons with in Wisconsin for a trade, but he has always denied those reports. The player even stuck to his story in his recent interaction with Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

“Brother, if you ask me deep down what I want today, I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career,” Antetokounmpo said. “I want to win here, another championship. And if you can tell me that’s possible, let’s just hang up the phone.”

This reinforced his earlier message, when he assured the fanbase that he had “never gone and asked for a trade,” pointing out that even the Bucks’ own statement, which said it would move him only if he asked, supports his stance.

“Giannis has never asked to be traded,” head coach Doc Rivers firmly stated.

But winning another championship remains the focus, and Antetokounmpo admitted time is limited. That’s why the Bucks front office is probably listening to offers. They can take their time until the offseason, since the 31-year-old will have an expiring contract next season. That will shift the dynamics in the Greek star’s favor. So this is certainly a situation that, even if it goes past this deadline, needs to be monitored.

Amid trade rumors, Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped a heartwarming message for the Knicks

The Bucks have reportedly received interest from Miami, Minnesota, and Golden State. They want the Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels, 25, a potential future All-Star, along with multiple first-round draft picks. The Heat made a player-heavy offer, centered on Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Terry Rozier, a combination of Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, or Kasparas Jakucionis, two first-round picks, and two first-round pick swaps. So far, none of the offers have been accepted.

The Warriors, on the other hand, are still in two minds whether to let go of Draymond Green or not. Additionally, reports suggested that the Dubs’ front office learned the Bucks weren’t interested in trading midseason, leading them to move on for now.

Meanwhile, New York has seemingly been the two-time MVP’s preferred destination for the longest time. In fact, there have been reports that the organization has plotted a massive coup to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. During his conversation with YouTuber SohoBrody, the 31-year-old star expressed that the Knicks are special to him.

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“I love the Knicks. Great team,” Antetokounmpo confessed.

Antetokounmpo likely said this because he scored his first NBA career points at Madison Square Garden. Additionally, his brother Thanasis also scored his first points at MSG after the Knicks drafted him. However, while the Knicks were a team to monitor for the Greek star’s future, that is no longer the case.

“They (Knicks) are not showing that aggression to get Giannis right now, and I think that’s because they like this team,” Windhorst said recently.

The Knicks are operating in the first apron and remain hard-capped at the second apron, which means they cannot take back more salary than they send out. Meanwhile, the Bucks are reportedly seeking at least one premier young player with multiple first-round picks for their franchise cornerstone. However, the Knicks do not control their first-round picks in 2027, 2029, or 2031, and will have to give up their starters to complete the deal.

For now, neither side appears to be actively pushing, but things can change as we approach the deadline.