Giannis Antetokounmpo Voices Bucks Frustrations Amid Trade Rumors

Getty Giannis Antetokounmpo during a November 7 game against the Utah Jazz.

Year two of the Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo partnership is off to a rocky start. After a blowout loss to the New York Knicks, the Milwaukee Bucks are 2-8 to begin the year.

Antetokounmpo didn’t hold back after the November 8 loss, a 116-94 blowout at Madison Square Garden. When speaking with reporters postgame, he admitted that the Bucks “didn’t compete” against the Knicks.

“Teams are not just gonna give us games,” Antetokounmpo said. “They’re not gonna feel bad for us. We’ve gotta compete every single possession. Every loose ball, we’ve gotta get a body on the floor & put it on the line. We didn’t compete at all.”

The two-time MVP went on to question the passion of his Milwaukee teammates, highlighting an upcoming game against the Boston Celtics.

“At least give yourself a chance,” He continued. “We came to New York after playing great last night. We come here, we lose by 30. Are you okay with not competing? I know I’m not okay with that (expletive). We’ve got Boston in two days. We don’t compete, we’re gonna lose by 30.”

At 2-7, the Bucks are the second-to-worst team in the Eastern Conference on paper, behind only the Philadelphia 76ers.

They’ll look to get back on track against the defending champs on Nov. 10. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 pm EST.

Giannis Antetokounmpo the Subject of Trade Rumors

To make matters worse for the Bucks — if they can be worse — trade talk surrounding Antetokounmpo has begun circling the rumor mill.

Longtime insider Marc Stein reported on teams eyeing the situation closely in Milwaukee in a November 5 edition of his newsletter.

“Talk of Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee and the possibility that he will eventually try to force a trade away from the team he has ever known is incessant,” Stein wrote. “It began this season before a ball was dribbled as part of the Bucks’ 1-5 start.”

Stein went on to list four teams already keeping tabs on Antetokounmpo’s movements, on the off chance he does ask out.

“Golden State and Miami were well-known to be in a serious state of readiness/anticipation to try to pursue Antetokounmpo before he signed his first extension in December 2020,” Stein continued. “Rest assured that their respective interest has not dimmed. Then there is New York…home to both the Nets and the Knicks.”

Antetokounmpo has three years and a player option remaining on his current deal. If he asks out, the return would likely be of a caliber unseen before in NBA history. The clock is ticking for the Bucks…

Damian Lillard Responds After Knicks Loss

Antetokounmpo’s co-pilot, Lillard, was candid after the November 8 loss to the Knicks. He explained to reporters that New York is a “good team,” and that’s all there is to it.

“They’re a good team,” Lillard said. “I mean, it ain’t like we went in there and played against the Heat when LeBron went there. They made some changes. They were a good team last year. They’re a good team this year.”

If facing a good team results in 20+ point losses for Milwaukee, it’s going to be a long season. And that Antetokounmpo trade request may reach the front office sooner rather than later.