Giannis Antetokounmpo’s storyline went nowhere after a month of speculation and several rumors about the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade talks with other teams. Fans on social media were riled up about how all the drama turned out around the Greek Freak, while some even threw ESPN analyst Shams Charania under the bus for sharing the reports.
Giannis seemed to be on two fronts during the midseason trade period. On one side, he continued to reinforce his emotional connection to Milwaukee and expressed his desire to win a championship with the Bucks. On the other hand, rumors on social media suggested that the team’s front office wanted to trade him, and he “was ready for a new home.”
Those mixed statements led fans and analysts to conclude that he didn’t want to look like a “villain,” leaving the franchise he said he will never part ways with. The Run It Back crew discussed the Giannis trade scenario on their podcast and addressed the criticism going towards the high-profile NBA analyst on social media.
Host Michelle Beadle was not happy with the way things turned out for Sham Charania, assuming all that information came from Giannis’ agent. She said that, considering the agents are “an extension” of players and “represent” them, Giannis’ move was just “manipulative gaslighting.” She said:
“Shams Charania is our guy. We worked with him, we watched him in action, he takes this way too seriously, almost too seriously sometimes, I worry for his health. So when people try to throw him under the bus, that is very irritating. He didn’t make any of that stuff up; he’s getting it from somebody… Some people are not meant to be villains, I understand that; he’s one of those types… I just feel like this whole thing’s just been a manipulative gaslighting for all of us.”
While Giannis remains with the Bucks, the team is already 12th in the Eastern Conference and will have to work hard if it wants to make a spot in play-ins once the 2-time MVP returns from his calf strain.
Beadle, however, was convinced that the Bucks forward would be traded in the offseason after all those rumors, to the point that she bet $1 billion on the possibility.
Michelle Beadle bets $1 billion that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be traded after 2025-26 season
The Run It Back co-host, Lou Williams, believed there was no need for Giannis Antetokounmpo to be a villain, but rather he should just come clean about his decision. The former NBA player said:
“If you wanna stay, say ‘you wanna stay and I want them to bring some pieces to build around me and let’s move forward.’ If you wanna go, then say you wanna go, that was all.”
Co-host Michelle Beadle even bet $1 billlion to the possibility of Giannis getting traded in the 2026 offseason:
“$1 billion he is gone this summer, that’s my bet.”
Even though rumors around Giannis’ trade before the February 5 deadline did not come to fruition, there is every possibility that he finds a new destination in the summer, as the team is still far from showing any sync. While he is still recovering from his injury, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s journey will be interesting to watch in the coming seasons.
READ MORE: Why Didn’t Giannis Antetokounmpo Get Traded Before the Deadline? Bucks’ Reason Revealed
Will the Hornets Make the Playoffs? Possibilities Explored as Charlotte Proves Doubters Wrong With Stunning Winning Streak
Wemby Nike Shoes: First Look at Victor Wembanyama’s NBA All-Star 2026 Revealed
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
