Giannis Gave the Bucks a Window to Compete Before Trade Request

It sounds like a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade could be happening over the next few months. While Giannis hasn't outright said he has requested a trade out of Milwaukee, the writing seems to be on the wall.

Additionally, a recent report by NBA Insider Shams Charania maps out exactly how Giannis planned to approach this season regarding being traded. 

“Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, are having conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP's future -- and discussing whether his best fit is staying or a move elsewhere, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

A resolution to these talks is expected in the coming weeks, sources said, which will shape whether Antetokounmpo is available ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

Antetokounmpo came into the season having bought into the championship-roster vision of general manager Jon Horst and coach Doc Rivers. Before the campaign started, sources said Antetokounmpo would examine the Bucks' first 25 or so games and make decisions on his long-term future, depending on whether the team showed signs of competing in the Eastern Conference.”

We are about at that 25-game point, and the Bucks don’t look too good. They simply aren’t the championship roster that the Bucks had advertised to Giannis, and that’s probably why we are hearing rumblings of a Giannis trade request. 

Because the Bucks weren’t able to get off to a very good start to the season, they will now have to potentially deal away their franchise star. 

While many around the Bucks are still holding strong that Giannis has yet to officially ask for a trade, that may not be true for very much longer.