Rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo's potential departure from the Milwaukee Bucks have swirled throughout the offseason, and they likely won't stop swirling until the Wisconsin-based franchise makes up its mind about whether he is a part of their future.
The relationship between the Bucks and Antetokounmpo has appeared to have gotten murkier in recent days, as it was recently reported that the team has yet to provide him written approval to represent the Greece national team in EuroBasket 2025.
One of his veteran teammates, forward Bobby Portis, is blocking out all that noise.
Portis made an appearance on ESPN Milwaukee's "Kyle, Brust, & Nortman" show on Aug. 11 and reiterated his confidence in Antetokounmpo remaining a Bucks player for the foreseeable future.
"Giannis bleeds green," Portis said. "That’s all I can say.”
Portis also expressed his belief that, with a healthy Antetokounmpo in the mix, the Bucks remain a championship contender.
"Why can’t we do it this year? The only thing wrong with us is people being hurt,” Portis said. “We win the championship [in 2021]. 2022 came in, and we go down. We lose in seven [games] to Boston. 2023, first round, Giannis tries to dunk on [Kevin] Love, comes down, hurts his back. We don't have big fella. 2024, Giannis hurts his leg against the Celtics in the regular season, and then, doesn't play another game. Then, coming back this year, we haven't been really healthy.
“I don't make excuses, but that's just what the tables were for us,” Portis continued. "All you need is health and good blessings. The healthiest team is the one that's standing at the end, so we got to be one of them."