Giannis Antetokounmpo has commendable response to trade chatter

Giannis Antetokounmpo has always taken pride in his unwavering loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks, previously expressing his desire to spend his entire career with one franchise. 

The "Greek Freak" also acknowledges that thoughts and feelings can shift with circumstances, as is human nature. On Wednesday, Antetokounmpo addressed reports that his days in Milwaukee are numbered, and that he could he playing for another team imminently.

Rather than debunking the reports and claiming loyalty to the Bucks, Antetokounmpo admitted that he wants to be in a winning situation.

Giannis is "all in" until he isn't 

"I want to be in a situation where I can win, and right now, I'm here," Antetokounmpo said while addressing his future.

The two-time MVP then expressed his belief in his teammates, but not before admitting that it would be a tall order to lead the Bucks — who own the 17th-shortest odds to win the title — to the promised land.

"I'm here to lead this team to wherever we can go. It's definitely going to be hard, but I'm here," he added.

Antetokounmpo's honest assessment of the Bucks is noteworthy. He knows that the team, which lost Damian Lillard this offseason, is lacking in talent, but that hasn't deterred his dedication to winning.  

Communication is key

He also knows that all the talk surrounding the Bucks this season will be about his future. To help his teammates overcome the distraction, he has been in their ears, proving again to be a great leader. 

“I've communicated with my teammates and the people I respect that the moment I step on this court or in this facility, the rest does not matter," said the 2021 NBA Finals MVP. "I'm locked into whatever I have in front of me. Now, if in 6-7 months I change my mind, I think that’s human, too. You're allowed to make any decision you want. But I'm locked in to this team, to these guys, to this coaching staff, and to myself."

In other words, Antetokounmpo is living in the moment. His honest admission about possibly changing his mind about the Bucks in six or seven months makes him all the more relatable and human. 

Bucks fans will have little reason to turn on Antetokounmpo if he exits the franchise. Besides being a consummate pro, he's been transparent about his feelings, making him easy to root for.