Bucks are far from trading Giannis Antetokounmpo

Perhaps Antetokounmpo has expressed interest in Brooklyn before, but it's hard to see how the 4-6 Nets are a dramatically better situation for Antetokounmpo. The same goes for another rumored Antetokounmpo target, the 4-5 Miami Heat. Setting aside the logistical issues behind trading the two-time MVP and his $48.8M salary, it's simply too early in the season for such a dramatic move.

First of all, the Bucks have been lousy, but not bad enough that they should be 14th in the Eastern Conference. They lost two games to the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers by a total of three points. Five of their losses have come against the East's elite teams, the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Cavs. They're in second-to-last place, but they're two-and-a-half games out of fifth. Only two East teams have winning records.

Anteotkounmpo has also gotten what he wanted from the Bucks. Last summer, he told the media he wouldn't sign an extension unless the Bucks were seriously about contending. They proceeded to trade for Damian Lillard, and within a month, Anteotkounmpo signed a three-year extension.

In 2020, Milwaukee traded for Jrue Holiday, and Antetokounmpo signed a five-year extension a month later. Last summer, the Bucks hired Antetokounmpo's preferred head coach, Adrian Griffin. Simply put, the team listens to their superstar's concerns and opinions and addresses them.

That's why any change to the Bucks roster is likely to start with big men Bobby Portis and/or Brook Lopez, not their franchise cornerstone. Both Portis and Lopez are shooting below 30 percent from three-point range this season while struggling to get back to defend — the team ranks 28th in transition defense.

Ultimately, the Bucks aren't trading Antetokounmpo until they see how the roster looks with Khris Middleton playing. He hasn't appeared in a game this season, but the Bucks were 17.5 points per 100 possessions better than their opponents when Middleton, Lillard and Antetokounmpo were on the floor together. Not only is Middleton still an excellent player while healthy, he was the best man at Antetokounmpo's wedding. That's a guy who Antetokounmpo will be patient for.

Even if Bucks management weren't inclined to wait for the team to approve, trading a star midseason is complicated. Especially when trading Antetokounmpo likely means trading all of the team's veterans. So while trade speculation is entertaining, it would be a huge upset for the Greek Freak to demand a trade during this season, and an even bigger upset for the Bucks to deal him.