Bucks rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo trade is inevitable after explosive ESPN report blames him for 'toxic' season appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo might want to start packing his bags and checking out brochures of other cities as the regular season comes to a close.
The Bucks' campaign will be remembered for the wrong things , particularly the seemingly never-ending saga involving Antetokounmpo.
Many thought that he would be traded in February, but the Bucks stayed pat, with the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo assuring the team that his focus remained on winning.
But according to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania, several people within the Bucks felt that the two-time MVP did not want to be in Milwaukee anymore.
"When your best player is one foot in, one foot out, you're not going to win," said a source, as quoted by Charania.
The report added that "players were exhausted by the discussion and dilemma" regarding Antetokounmpo's future, which caused a "tense environment in the locker room."
At one point, Antetokounmpo tried to quell it by having a meeting with his teammates. He urged them to tune out the outside noise. Kevin Porter Jr. publicly expressed his support for the 10-time All-Star.
However, Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks to the title in 2021 to end a 50-year drought, has been hobbled by injuries all season. He has played a career-low 36 games, as of writing.
Amid the uncertainties in the offseason, what is clear is that the Bucks will entertain offers for Antetokounmpo, according to Charania, noting that the front office has already accepted the "inevitability of a likely deal coming to fruition."
"This is as toxic of a team situation as any in the league. They waited until the very end on Giannis, and now everyone knows," said a source, as quoted in the report.
The Bucks, who are sitting on a 31-47 record, will miss the playoffs for the first time in nine years and only the third time since Antetokounmpo was drafted by the squad in 2013.
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