Copyright Heavy.
Through four games this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo looks like the best player in the world, and the Milwaukee Bucks look like legitimate title threats. Antetokounmpo is averaging 36.3 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. He is leading the Bucks in all of those categories, of course, and is shooting a blistering 69.5% from the floor. And yet, if you Google “Milwaukee Bucks” or “Giannis Antetokounmpo,” the vast majority of recent articles are about his trade speculation. I myself am guilty of that. It makes sense, after all. Giannis is one of the biggest names in the sport, although the Milwaukee Bucks are far from a glamorous team. Still, Antetokounmpo has made it clear that he’s not eager to play in a bigger market. As trade rumors heat up, maybe it’s time for the media and fans to live in the present. Time to Pump Brakes on Giannis Antetokounmpo Rumors It’s a limited sample size, sure, but at 3-1 the Bucks look like one of the better teams in the East. They certainly boast the best player. Media outlets, both big and small, are guilty of pushing trade narratives rather than actually analyzing the games. In our defense, readers tend to flock to articles labeled ‘mock trade’ or ‘rumor.’ Still, if NBC’s coverage has taught us anything, it’s that most fans appreciate in-depth, appreciative coverage rather than baseless speculation. Not only is Antetokounmpo winning now, but he has a track record of team success in Milwaukee, despite recent early playoff exits. “When have we ever seen a player get a ring and then just universally have the media decide that he needs to play somewhere else?” asked Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz on October 29th. “We watch greatness from Giannis night in and night out, week in and week out, month in and month out, and instead of ever just stopping and appreciating it, all we ever do is decide that he needs to play somewhere else.” This season, Antetokounmpo has been linked to the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and even the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bucks, meanwhile, have given no real indication that they want to trade him. Antetokounmpo Remains With Bucks…For Now After downplaying rumors recently and long insisting that he wants to remain with the same franchise for his entire career, maybe it’s time we listened to the man who knows best. If the tide turns and he demands a trade, then we can pursue our own agendas by building mock trades. For now, however, coverage is best directed at his play, which has been stellar. “If and when there ever comes a time in his career that he plays somewhere else, guess what? We could cover it then, and we could talk about then what it means for that team, and we could talk about then what it means for wherever he ends up, but for right now, we don’t even talk about the Bucks,” Fitz finished. Most of the time, players are not traded in the dead of night. The Luka Doncic trade was the exception, not the rule. Look at Anthony Davis on the New Orleans Pelicans, or Jimmy Butler on the Miami Heat. Those players demanded a trade and then had to wait weeks before being dealt. If Giannis is traded, the media will have plenty of time to cover it once it happens. For now, speculation is baseless. Not All NBA Trade Speculation Is a Waste The Bucks want to win games. Perhaps no one in the NBA can help with that more than Antetokounmpo. Including him in mock trades, while entertaining, isn’t a useful exercise. However, that’s not to be dismissive of all rumors and speculation. Some teams have very real needs that could be solved with a trade. Other teams have talented players who don’t fit their timeline. Take a look at Lauri Markkanen. He is playing excellent basketball, although he doesn’t fit the Utah Jazz’s competitive timeline. Has he been definitely linked to other teams? No, but seems likely that he will be moved sooner or later. Turn your attention to the Boston Celtics. Like the Jazz, they haven’t been concretely linked to other teams in rumors. Still, they have very clear needs to fill. Is it a waste to list their feasible trade targets? Nope! Antetokounmpo is a unique case. He is not issuing trade demands, at least not publicly. The Bucks don’t want to trade him. There are very few teams that could actually put together a reasonable trade package to add him. For now, the biggest story in Milwaukee should be “Greek Freak Dominates, Bucks Make Playoff Push.” Instead, fans are being offered the same tired, baseless speculation from people who don’t even have sources.
