Amidst trade rumors, another shocking update about Giannis Antetokounmpo might leave fans surprised. ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that the Bucks star might be sidelined for approximately two to four weeks with a right calf strain. This update comes right at the moment when the Milwaukee Bucks are 10-13 in the league, recently recording a loss against the Detroit Pistons.
Head coach Doc Rivers addressed the media and stated that Antetokounmpo is undergoing an MRI at the moment. Rivers told the press that he did not believe the injury was in any way related to Antetokounmpo’s Achilles tendon. Despite being on the sidelines, Giannis is having an incredible season so far, averaging 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be sidelined for approximately 2 to 4 weeks with a right calf strain, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/k5TyjEo6Eh
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 4, 2025
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to be having growing frustration with the Bucks organization becoming more apparent. The two-time MVP has now deleted most of his posts related to the Bucks since 2021, except only choosing to keep the posts related to winning the NBA championship and NBA Cup. Unlike many other players, Giannis had made it clear that he would like to stay with the Bucks only if they were legit contenders to a championship run in the forthcoming seasons.
This offseason, Giannis tried floating the idea of exploring options beyond the Bucks. While the New York Knicks briefly emerged as the top potential landing spot for the Green maestro, it seems like almost every team in the league is expected to make a move on him.
Money might never be an issue in the long run. In October 2026, Giannis becomes eligible for a massive four-year $275 million extension, be it with the Bucks or any other team six months after a trade. For now, teams such as the Knicks, Lakers, and the Warriors look like the favorites to land Giannis ahead of the trade deadline.
Why Does Giannis Antetokounmpo Want to Leave Milwaukee Bucks?
The Milwaukee Bucks are facing a crucial stretch that could determine the direction of their season and possibly their long-term future with Giannis Antetokounmpo. With a tough run of games in January ending shortly before the trade deadline, it’s unlikely Giannis would request a trade mid-season since major deals are easier to complete in the offseason. Teams like the Lakers, Rockets, and Knicks, which seem to be his potential destinations, are either salary-cap constrained or still assessing their rosters, making a mid-year blockbuster highly impractical.
However, should Antetokounmpo decide he wants out, as the situation could escalate quickly, as seen with Anthony Davis’ trade request to New Orleans in January 2019. From the Bucks’ perspective, an early trade might even make sense. They don’t fully control their 2025 first-round pick, which will go to either themselves or the struggling Pelicans, whichever is worse, making a potential tank less beneficial. Moving Giannis sooner could help them extract value while still influencing the pick swap outcome.
Still, Milwaukee’s priority is to avoid that nightmare scenario entirely. As trade season unofficially opens on December 15, they might consider using their remaining 2031 or 2032 first-round pick to bolster their roster. This is true, particularly for their defense, which ranks near the bottom of the league. With some internal improvements in the backcourt already showing, acquiring a strong defensive forward may be their best shot at contention. Bucks fans may cringe at surrendering yet another future pick, but standing pat could risk both this season and the team’s broader future with their superstar.
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