A senior NBA executive on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recent comments about the possibility of leaving the Milwaukee Bucks were triggered by their surprising first-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat.
Despite finishing the 2022-23 regular season with the NBA’s best record at 58-24, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Miami Heat, who went on to reach the 2023 NBA Finals.
NBA Executive on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Comment
The assistant general manager explains that this unexpected early exit greatly influenced Antetokounmpo’s stance on his future with the Bucks. He’s not outright refusing to return but wants to ensure the team is truly championship-focused.
The assistant GM told Fox Sports “That happening to him in the first round is the reason for the stance he’s taking, which is, ‘I’m not saying I’m not coming back, but I need to see which team we are, are we a first-round exit team? Or are we really a Finals team that just happened to lose in the first round for different reasons last year? I actually side with the fact that they just had an unexpected unique kind of situation that had them lose in the first round. They could very well go to the Finals or conference finals this year, and if that happens it would be pretty hard for Giannis to leave.”
The executive acknowledges that the Bucks faced unique circumstances that led to their first-round loss, suggesting they could perform better in the upcoming seasons. If the Bucks reach the Finals or conference finals in the future, it would be difficult for Giannis to consider leaving.
Antetokounmpo, a 28-year-old who has spent his entire 10-year NBA career with the Bucks, had an outstanding 2022-23 regular season, earning All-Star and All-NBA First Team honors. However, he struggled in the playoffs, in part due to free-throw shooting issues.
The Bucks, with a strong supporting cast, including Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez, still have the potential to contend for the 2024 NBA championship, making Giannis’ future in Milwaukee uncertain.
Comments