Giannis Antetokounmpo did little to clear the air after ESPN reported he was open to leaving the Milwaukee Bucks last summer.
Back with the team after dealing with Covid, Antetokounmpo spoke to the media after a practice session on Wednesday.
“I communicated with my teammates, with the people I respect and love, that once I step on this field, in this facility, I wear this jersey, nothing else matters,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m locked into what I have in front of me.
“If I change my mind in six or seven months, I think that’s also human. You can make whatever decision you want.”
Antetokounmpo spoke about temptation, likening the situation to walking around without his wedding ring and people noticing him. Teams can talk to him or his agents, but ultimately – as of now – he is committed to the Bucks.
According to the reportThere were exploratory trade talks between the Bucks and the New York Knicks. However, nothing serious came of it. That’s not surprising considering the assets New York ceded to the Brooklyn Nets in acquiring Mikal Bridges.
Antetokounmpo will turn 31 in December and enter his 13th NBA season. He has been with the Bucks since he was drafted 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Antetokounmpo ready for evaluation in 6 months
The Greek superstar’s comments about the fact that he could change his mind in six or seven months are telling. The reason for this is that the February trade deadline is just over six months away.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo will evaluate how good this Bucks team is in the coming months and make a decision on his future from there.
Antetokounmpo reiterated his desire to compete for a championship, so his status with Milwaukee is on the line. If the team can surprise people and look like a serious threat to win the East, then there might be light at the end of the tunnel.
If not, this is the closest Antetokounmpo has come to speaking out about weighing his options elsewhere.
A trade deadline that could move one of the top four players in the game would be a seismic moment in league history.
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