On Wednesday, ESPN’s Bobby Marks shut down the trade rumors that have surrounded Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on “NBA Today.” The Bucks have started the season with a 1-6 record, including a six-game losing streak. Amid the team’s struggles, trade rumors have emerged centered around the team’s franchise star.
Antetokounmpo has been linked to multiple teams while the Bucks find their footing this season. NBA insider Marc Stein mentioned the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat as potential landing spots for the All-Star forward.
The rumors were shut down by Marks. According to him, even with the team’s recent hardships, the two parties aren’t looking to make a significant change. However, the organization and Antetokounmpo look to explore options on how to improve their team’s performance following their abysmal start.
“No,” Marks said about the possibility of Antetokounmpo leaving the Bucks. “I understand the narrative, certainly a 1-6 Milwaukee team and any kind of team like that is struggling, there’s certainly going to be questions about the future.”
“He is not looking to be moved, Milwaukee is not looking [for] him to be moved. They’re looking to try to figure out what went wrong with this roster to start the season. I think we can put away the fictional Giannis trade proposals for right now. There’s no concern from that front.”
When asked what the Bucks can do to address their early season problems, Marks said that an internal fix could be explored by the franchise.
“There is no easy fix, especially for a Milwaukee team that’s in the second apron, they can only trade a 2031 first-round pick. It’s going to have to be internal.”
How has Giannis Antetokounmpo played during the Bucks’ bad start?
Giannis Antetokounmpo has done a lot of the heavy lifting for the Bucks this season. He’s played six games, averaging 31.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 63.3% from the field. The 2021 Finals MVP has put up at least 30 points in four of the games he played this season.
Unfortunately for the Bucks, Antetokounmpo’s performance hasn’t lifted the team up to get their second win.
His All-Star teammate, Damian Lillard, has shaken off his poor shooting stretch. In the team’s past two games (both against Cleveland), Lillard has shot 62.5% from long range, including a 10-for-15 3-point shooting. This came following a five-game stretch where he shot 26.7%.
Even with the scoring outbursts from the team’s two stars, the Bucks haven’t been successful. Milwaukee will take on the Utah Jazz (1-6) on Thursday to try and snap their losing streak.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
