ESPN Insiders Reveal Surprising Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks Trade Update

Now saddled with a devastating ailment, the 34-year-old Lillard will be virtually impossible to trade for value, meaning that Milwaukee could be saddled with the 6-foot-2 Weber State product as he recuperates. 

Without a clear route towards roster improvement in the immediate future, the Bucks' ceiling as a pseudo contender — even while armed with one of the best four players in the world — has effectively collapsed. The world waits with bated breath to see if Antetokounmpo will demand a trade away from the club he's called home since his 2013-14 rookie season.

During a mid-NBA Finals league roundup article on Friday, ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps have provided a surprising update on Antetokounmpo.

Windhorst and Bontemps write that, "as things stand today, the expectation is that Antetokounmpo will start next season as a Buck, sources told ESPN. To be clear, the emphasis is on today. There's still a lot of road to be walked this offseason, and it's hard to know exactly how everything will shake out."

Last year, Antetokounmpo averaged a stellar 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 67 healthy contests for the 48-win Bucks. A trade for his service could immediately make another club — with a healthier supporting cast — a legitimate title contender.

It's frankly a bit surprising that the 6-foot-11 superstar, a two-time league MVP and one-time Defensive Player of the Year, is reticent to be dealt. He may never add a second championship to his resume if he stays in Milwaukee, through no fault of his own.

Still, losing Antetokounmpo would prove devastating to the Bucks faithful, who have long enjoyed boasting one of the best players ever on their small market franchise.