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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo walks off the court. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks suffered an embarrassing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, and it upset Giannis Antetokounmpo when asked about the game. Antetokounmpo has been involved in trade rumors all season since most expected Milwaukee to struggle and the superstar remains unhappy with their performance. The Bucks are still sitting outside of the play-in as the eleventh seed.
Giannis had some harsh words about his teammates after the game:
“We’re not playing hard, we’re not playing to win, we’re not playing together. Our chemistry is not there; guys are being selfish. Guys are trying to look for their own shots, they’re not looking for the right shot of the team. Guys try to do it on their own.”
The blunt comments from Antetokounmpo shows his frustration mounting with a losing season and little light at the end of the tunnel. Giannis is easily playing All-NBA basketball and continues to be one of the best overall players in the league. Milwaukee’s struggles and Antetokounmpo’s frustration will only increase the outside noise about a trade coming sooner than later.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Misses His Former Teammates
Another interesting quote from Antetokounmpo focused on the importance of teamwork. Not only did Giannis go out of his way to criticize his current teammates, but he praised the players from the best Bucks seasons that are no longer on the roster.
“We played a team that came down and shot the first shot we took the rebound, we went the other way, and we were like, we’re not gonna win. Like, you gotta move us around, you gotta move me around, you gotta move Khris around, you gotta move Jrue around, you gotta move Brook around.”
Antetokounmpo made sure to praise former teammates Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez for all their contributions to Milwaukee’s best seasons. All four players were the core pieces of the 2021 NBA Championship roster. Giannis is missing his old teammates, while feeling his current teammates are playing individual basketball to everyone’s detriment.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo Request A Trade?
Antetokounmpo recently claimed that he was never going to request a trade from the Bucks and implied he wants to spend his entire career with one franchise. However, the team’s struggles and his public criticism both provide negative signs for the future. Giannis believes the roster should compete harder and have more wins in the standings.
Losing isn’t something that Antetokounmpo will accept, even if he slowed down on applying pressure to force a trade. Giannis has said things for both sides, including that he expects to contend for an NBA Championship every season. Multiple teams are reportedly saving their best assets under the belief an Antetokounmpo trade request will come.
The trade seems more likely than not since few players in their prime accept playing for a team with no chance towards title contention. Milwaukee is hoping to add another star player at the trade deadline, but they hold limited assets to appease other teams. Giannis will have to accept losing over the next few seasons if he doesn’t opt for a trade.