Giannis Antetokounmpo Keeps Trade Door Open — Bucks' Make-or-Break Season

Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t formally ask for a trade this offseason, but he’ll “keep his options open” depending on how the Milwaukee Bucks start the year, sources told ESPN. That matters because the Bucks face a perceived make-or-break season: key Eastern rivals are hobbled, yet Milwaukee’s supporting cast (projected backcourt Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr.) lacks proven star depth, and summer talks with the Knicks showed trade interest exists. Merlin senses a tense calendar: a hot start keeps Giannis tethered, a slow one turns him into the league’s most valuable chess piece. Teams will quietly position themselves; if Milwaukee stumbles, expect fevered trade-market whispers and seismic roster shifts.