A major development occurred with Milluawake Bucks' superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on Saturday, and no, he hasn't been traded.
He's back on the court.
After almost a month away from the team due to a calf strain, the multi-time MVP from Greece is expected to rejoin his team tonight on the road against the Chicago Bulls as the Bucks desperately try to keep afloat in the Eastern Conference standings.
Without Antetokounmpo, who has missed multiple weeks with a calf strain, the Bucks have plummeted near the bottom of the NBA hierarchy.
As of Saturday's game, with a 12-19 record, they are out of the playoffs and even the play-in, surrounded by teams like the Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets who are already crossing their fingers that the lottery balls go their way next year.
While the Bucks remain firm in their stance that they want Antetokounmpo to stay with the franchise he helped win an NBA title only a few short years ago, Milwaukee also knows the team needs to improve for him to commit long-term.
Milwaukee has been linked to names such as Sacramento's Zach LaVine as possible trade candidates for them to shoot for before the deadline in hopes of adding another scorer, which could convince the "Greek Freak" to stay.
For Antetokounmpo, the top quality he's looking for in the franchise he wants to play for is the chance to win another NBA title, and that will keep the trade rumors buzzing throughout the new year as we come closer to the trade deadline.
If the Bucks want to make the playoffs, the Bulls are a team they will need to catch. Chicago stands at 15-15 and in 9th place in the East heading into Saturday's affair with Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
As of Saturday’s game, Antetokounmpo has been linked to several teams wanting to make a move for him, most notably being the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks.
Newsweek