Giannis Antetokounmpo Met with Bucks Co-Owner Marc Lasry

Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly met privately with Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, though the outcome of the discussion is unknown at the time. Milwaukee seems committed to building an NBA Championship team around The Greek Freak going forward but his future will be closely monitored. The Bucks can offer Giannis a super-max contract extension this offseason but it remains to be seen if he would sign it.

The Bucks were the best team in the NBA during the regular season but they underperformed in the playoffs, getting eliminated in the second round against the Heat. This has led to speculation around Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s future.

The Bucks’ season came to an end after a 103-94 loss against the Heat in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series on September 8. Antetokounmpo missed the game with an ankle injury he suffered in Game 4.

Giannis had spoken to Chris Haynes from Yahoo Sports and told him that he does not plan to leave Milwaukee anytime soon.

“It’s not happening, that’s not happening,” Antetokounmpo told Haynes. “Some see a wall and go in (another direction). I plow through it. We just have to get better as a team, individually, and get right back at it next season.” 

His meeting with Lasry was after this interview and it happened on the same day that Giannis unfollowed the Bucks and his teammates on Instagram. Giannis had 19 points on 8-for-10 from the field with four rebounds before leaving Game 4’s 118-115 overtime win late in the first quarter.

Antetokounmpo originally injured his ankle in the first quarter of Game 3 on September 4 when he appeared to roll it. He kept playing, though he was in obvious pain. He was wearing a walking boot after Sunday’s Game 4.

According to the Ringer, the Clippers are reportedly interested in trading for Giannis. That same outlet said that Antetokounmpo has an “admiration” for head coach Doc Rivers.

Per Sports Illustrated, the Raptors, Warriors and Mavericks are all expected to go after Giannis, though he made it clear that he will not demand a trade.