Mock trade puts Giannis Antetokounmpo alongside former MVP 1 Apr 3, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid reacts with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) after the game at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Bill Simmons compares Giannis Antetokounmpo’s durability with Joel Embiid

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Nathan Yasis | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 2:53 AM ET

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has dealt with his share of injuries since the 2018-19 season, but he remains far more dependable than Joel Embiid, despite claims from Bill Simmons.

Antetokounmpo’s highest games played total in a single season during that stretch was 73 in the 2023-24 campaign, and he has appeared in 430 games across those seven seasons.

Embiid has a long and well-known injury record. Over that same stretch, his single-season high is 68 games, and he has totaled 327 appearances overall. By comparison, Giannis has played nearly a season and a half more games than the Philadelphia 76ers center. Still, during a recent episode of the Bill Simmons Podcast, the NBA analyst made the case by linking Antetokounmpo’s recent injury concerns to Embiid’s history.

Bill Simmons on Giannis Antetokounmpo

“[Giannis] is closer to Embiid than Jokic. He doesn’t play. He gets hurt all the time. I would be really scared about this,” Simmons commented.

“So you’re telling me if I’m Miami, I have to trade all my assets and I have to sign you to a 280 million dollar extension for four years, and I don’t know if you can play.”

A well-known Boston Celtics supporter, Bill Simmons may have his own reasons for raising the topic of teams pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo. Two of the franchises most frequently connected to him are the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks, both of which could pose serious challenges for his preferred team if they were to land the superstar.

Mock trade puts Giannis Antetokounmpo alongside former MVP 2 Nov 18, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) congradulate each other after game at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

While the accumulation of injuries raises some concern, considering Giannis Antetokounmpo’s size and age, most teams would still be willing to take the risk on acquiring him. He is coming off three consecutive seasons averaging over 30 points per game and is still putting up 27.6 this year despite dealing with injuries.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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