Brian Windhorst has seemingly poured cold water on the Golden State Warriors' hopes of acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. The ESPN insider delivered a blunt assessment of the superstar's trade status during Tuesday's episode of Get Up.
"Right now, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions. He has not asked for it. The Bucks are not looking to trade him," – Windhorst stated firmly.
Speculation about Antetokounmpo's future with the "Bucks" intensified following their disappointing third consecutive first-round playoff exit. Damian Lillard's torn Achilles only complicated matters, dealing a massive blow to Milwaukee's championship aspirations for next season.
Just a month ago, Shams Charania reported that the Greek forward was "open-minded" about determining his future, fueling trade rumors. However, growing sentiment now suggests the 30-year-old might remain loyal to Milwaukee despite their recent struggles.
Interestingly, if the "Warriors" can't land the 2x Finals MVP themselves, having him stay with the "Bucks" in the Eastern Conference might actually benefit them rather than seeing him join a Western Conference rival.
Golden State has long been linked to Antetokounmpo, with owner Joe Lacob reportedly dreaming of pairing the dominant interior force with Stephen Curry. The tantalizing prospect of the greatest shooter of all-time playing alongside a nine-time All-Star has captivated fans, but seems increasingly unlikely despite recent speculation.
By the way, Antetokounmpo averaged an impressive 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists this season, finishing third in MVP voting behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. This marks his seventh straight top-four MVP finish.
Could things still change if Antetokounmpo suddenly requests a trade after the NBA season concludes? In the ever-unpredictable world of professional basketball, nothing's impossible.
