Trade season has officially begun in the NBA. Dec. 15 is the first day that teams can flip players who were signed over the offseason -- but the biggest trade chip of all is in Milwaukee, a nine-time All-Star signed through next season.
That would be Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is recovering from a calf strain that has cost him Milwaukee's past four games -- of which the Bucks have lost three, including a 127-82 beatdown in Brooklyn against the Nets on Sunday night.
That loss saw the Bucks fall to 11-16 on the season, as pressure continues to grow around the franchise to deal Antetokounmpo. Contenders are circling around the 10th-place Bucks; the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks are among the likely teams positioning themselves to pursue Antetokounmpo in the weeks ahead.
But the Bucks aren't giving in yet.
According to Eric Nehm at The Athletic, the Bucks are telling teams that they are focused on adding to their core around Antetokounmpo as opposed to dealing the 2021 NBA champion.
General manager Jon Horst is hoping to make a "significant" addition to Milwaukee's roster before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Nehm reports that the Bucks have done "due diligence" on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine, who is expected to be traded.
It is setting up to be a fascinating several weeks ahead for Giannis and the Bucks -- and if the Greek Freak is intent on continuing his career away from Milwaukee, he may have to force his way out in the end.
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