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Last month’s NBA trade deadline came and went without a deal being reached. milwaukee dollars superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks entered Tuesday in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, out of the NBA playoff picture. The last few seasons in Milwaukee have been marked by disappointing results, leading to the departure of coach Mike Budenholzer and speculation that Antetokounmpo could seek a change of scenery.
Antetokounmpo has seen limited action in the 2025-26 season, appearing in 36 games, putting him on pace for the lowest total of his career. He hasn’t taken the court since Milwaukee’s 134-123 victory over the Indiana Pacers on March 15.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on January 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Despite a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise, the Bucks’ slim chances of qualifying for the NBA play-in and only 12 games left on Milwaukee’s regular-season schedule, Antetokounmpo appears poised to play down the stretch. The Athletic first reported that the Bucks approached him about opting out, an idea he wasn’t interested in.
However, his stance conflicts with the Bucks’ attempt to keep the two-time NBA MVP out of the game for the rest of the season.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO STAYS WITH BUCKS AS NBA TRADE DEADLINE PASSES DESPITE SOME INTEREST
The reported dispute prompted a response from the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the union that represents NBA players.
“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court,” the NBPA statement read.
A basketball is placed on the court next to the NBA logo during a break in the first half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked. We look forward to collaborating with the NBA on significant new proposals that will directly address and discourage tanking.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum on January 21, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.6 points and 9.8 rebounds this season, but has not yet been medically cleared to return.
