Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo 'could be available for trade' imminently

The 1-3 Bucks are slumping, and with Khris Middleton still recovering from offseason ankle injuries, the immediate future doesn't look promising for the 2021 NBA champions.

If things continue to go south, the leaguewide expectation is for Giannis Antetokounmpo to ask for a trade. ESPN's Shams Charania noted last week that teams are "closely monitoring" the Antetokounmpo situation and how it plays out this season. 

On Thursday, CBS Sports' Bill Reiter dropped another bombshell by reporting that Antetokounmpo "could be available for trade" as early as the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline. 

"There's a rising sense of confidence that if things go badly in Milwaukee, that Giannis could be available for trade, would really force his way out of Milwaukee, in the next year," Reiter said. "One Western Conference exec thinks Giannis could be available either before the trade deadline or [at the end of the season]."

The NBA insider named the Heat and Nets the "Greek Freak's" preferred destinations if and when he asks out. 

Reiter further noted that head coach Doc Rivers' growing influence within the Bucks front office has ruffled some feathers, prompting one Eastern Conference executive to call the situation "a mess" in Milwaukee. 

"There's a real sense across the NBA that Giannis, who turns 30 in December, could say, 'it's not working. I don't want to trust my legacy to a project that's not going to be successful.' And a lot of people who covet him think he could force himself out of Milwaukee before this season ends or by next summer."

While Reiter's report named the Heat and Nets as the two-time MVP's preferred destinations, the Warriors have reportedly coveted Antetokounmpo for years and would be prepared to make a hail-mary offer if he becomes available. There will be an all-out bidding war for a generational talent such as the Greek forward.

Antetokounmpo is under contract through the 2027-28 season after signing a three-year extension last year. As such, any team that pursues him will be getting him for the long haul and may have to throw the kitchen sink at Milwaukee to pull off a trade.